I undid the seat belt that had been digging into my skin since I first strapped it on at the airport. Scott had already opened his car door and Hayley was lifting Noah out from his car seat. Scott was whistling and Hayley had a massive grin on her face. They were thrilled to be back in the Bay. Just as I wished I was...
Three Years Earlier…"Ric please say something, anything! I'm sorry I couldn't tell you earlier, you have absolutely no idea how hard this is for me Ric!" I shouted, annoyed at the silence I was met with. Yes, I did realise how hard this may be for him too, although he could at least give me some reply anyway.
I had met him on the beach, our favourite spot. The place where Ric had first met me, as 'Dalby' the bully. I had snuck out every night to meet him after that, not telling a soul. The spot where he told me what his dad did to him when they were alone, he had opened up to me and for that I am eternally grateful. The place where he first told me that he felt more than friendship towards me, before I ran away, shocked by his sudden speech. The spot where he had comforted me after my mum's death and after the departure of Kit, with Kim and my gorgeous nephew Archie. And now, the place where I would break both of our hearts.
Thankfully, the darkness of the night hid his face from complete view. Ric was always a man to cover up what he was feeling, keep his emotions to himself, although his eyes gave the game away. Those beautiful, deep blue eyes. I could lose myself in a flash in his eyes, forget about the world around me.
He turned to face me, his face now visible in the moonlight. The tears that fell from his eyes glistened in the bright light and his eyes bore nothing but hurt and pain.
"Ric, believe me, I do not know how I will ever be able to live without you. You're my life support, my oxygen, I love you." I started sobbing uncontrollably, collapsing in the sand.
He still remained quiet. His arms reached out to me and pulled me into his chest. His scent, his body around me, it comforted me and brought me peace for a while.
We cried ourselves to sleep on the sand that night, we only left each other when our parents came to find us, oblivious to the fact of how in love we really were.
-x-
I walked out of the car, Scott gave me a knowing look while he struggled with the wriggling Noah in his arms. A look that said 'Mattie, please just do this for me.'
I walked to the front door, up the familiar steps, that I had fallen down countless times. I lifted my hand slowly but surely and gave three taps on the wooden door. I prayed that no one would be in but it was obvious there was, lights shone through the lounge window, possibly from the T.V..
The door handle was pushed down and as I stepped back the door was pulled inwards...
-x-
"Guys, I just want to tell you," I paused gulping down the lump that formed in the back of my throat, "that this isn't goodbye, it's just see you soon! I promise."
I stood before everyone in Summer Bay, the friends that I had grown up with and learned to love. The feeling I found in my heart every time I thought of leaving them was indescribable, but there I was. I said my final goodbyes, hugging and kissing everyone, my eyes were anything but dry.
The taxi sped around the corner, ready to pick me up. I got through the emotional speech from Tony, and the loving speech from Jack.
His eyes were on me, I could feel them; he was sitting on the bench across the road. The same look glazed over his eyes that I had seen so much in the last few days.
I walked over to him, briskly. Trying not to show how upset I really was.
The overwhelming silence that I seemed to be overcome by often when I was around him after that night, came again.
"Hey," he spoke softly as I sat down beside him.
"I've gotta be heading off soon…"
He nodded. " I know."
He always did that. Stayed quiet when he couldn't describe the way he was feeling. It had begun to irritate me, not that I'd ever tell him that.
"Ric I meant what I said up there, this really isn't goodbye, I am coming back, and you know that don't you?" He continued to stare out to the shiny sea before us.
"You'll never forget me will you, Mattie? I love you so much; I don't think I'll ever stop wishing that you were by my side."
"How could I forget you, Eric Dalby? You're the love of my life. I love you more than words could ever say," I sobbed before looking at the ground. He cupped his hand under my chin and lifted my face up so I looked into his eyes. Our lips then met in what we knew was the last kiss. It was filled with love and affection. I couldn't bear to let go, but I had to.
I pulled away at the sounding of the taxi's horn. I gave him one last smile and turned away walking towards the taxi. Towards my future…
-x-
A/N: Chapter Three's finished! I did have the other chapter writen as well, but due to the heap of junk that's called 'my computer' I lost it. It may be up tomorrow but i don't know as I have my friend's birthday party tonight and I'm staying over, i'll try my best though. As always, thank you for the many kind reviews, they make me smile :)