The Flower Called Azalea

10.

Jake POV

I didn't talk to her at all on Tuesday. I figured she just needed some space, and though it hurt, I understood why she blew up at me. I knew what it looked like. Though I decided to give her some space, I woke up Wednesday around ten feeling horrible. I had to see her again. I had to apologize.

I jumped out of bed, threw on some cut-offs and ran to her house. Just as I got there, I saw Embry's truck pull in, and he and his mom got out.

Em saw me and smiled. "Hey, man! What's up?"

"Is Azalea here? I really need to talk to her," I cut right to the point of my visit.

His face became confused and then shocked. "…She didn't tell you…?"

"Didn't tell me what? That she's leaving, yeah, she told me that. I just need to talk to her before she leaves. So where is she? Her room?" I asked and started toward the house.

"Jake… she's gone. Her flight was at 8:45; she left about an hour ago," he whispered.

"What?" my mind and body went blank. She really left? After the way things were between us? She left without telling me? How? Why? She had said that she didn't know when she was leaving. Was that a lie? "She really left?" I asked softly.

Embry looked apologetic as he nodded slowly.

I sank to my knees. Great. Just great. My soulmate was angry at me, and she left to travel the world without so much as a goodbye.

I really blew this one.

Azalea POV

I didn't think I was going to be able to do it. I really didn't think I would be able to leave without saying goodbye to Jacob, or at least seeing him one more time. But I did. And I'm not proud of myself for it.

I couldn't even talk to him over the phone for the next fifty-six weeks because I had to get a new phone with an international plan, and even then, it was only for emergencies. He didn't have my new number, either, so he couldn't call me, anyway.

When I arrived at the Seattle Airport, I met with one of the people running this program, and she said that when we arrived in Los Angeles, we would be meeting up with a couple more of my colleagues, and then the rest when we actually made it into Australia. There were only ten people accepted into the program, so it's not like we were searching for a huge group.

The students we met up with in LA were three girls, and they seemed very nice. After a long day of flying, we finally made it into Melbourne, and met up with the rest of the group. There was one girl, and five guys.

I caught one of the guys staring at me on more than one occasion, and my first impression of him was 'hot'. And then he smiled at me, and it was one of those smiles that could make any girl melt.

He was about 6'5", kinda pale, had short, dark blond hair, and bright blue eyes. After a few minutes of the whole glance and look away game, he came over to me and decided to speak.

"Hi," he said. He had an accent, I just couldn't place it with that one word.

"Hi," I replied kindly.

"I'm Luke," he said.

"Azalea."

"That's a beautiful name."

"Yeah," I smiled. "It helps that it's my favorite flower, too," I said before I could stop myself.

"Really? Well then it makes sense," he grinned down at me.

His accent was eating away at me. It was the sexiest thing I'd ever heard, and I couldn't place it. So I asked.

"Where are you from?"

"I was born in Sydney," he responded. Australian! That's why I was practically putty. Well… it made sense. He didn't fly here with us, so I guess he just drove or something.

"That's so cool! I've always wanted to go there," I sighed.

"Well, I'm betting that we'll be able to go there while we're here."

"I sure hope so," I grinned, and then our guide successfully ended our conversation by herding us onto the bus that was going to take us to our camp. The drive was about an hour and a half long, and during that time, Luke and I got to know each other better. I learned that he loves surfing, he's extremely funny and a goof-ball, and he's just got a crazy personality, like me. We talked about where we grew up, our friends and family, and all that good stuff before we finally stopped at our new, temporary home, just outside of Melbourne.

Luke and I had a lot in common, and I found that I really liked him.

And that scared me.

Jake POV

"Jake, come on, man! We have to run patrols!" Quil jumped on my bed, trying to get me to leave my room. It's been a week, and I still couldn't believe that she'd left without even saying goodbye. I didn't know how long she would be gone, or where in the world she was at any time. I tried calling her, but all I got was an automated message saying that the phone account had been deleted, and the number was no longer in effect.

She really was out of my life for who knows how long.

I dragged myself out of my bed. "Fine," I said. Even to me, my voice sounded dead. "Let's go." After that first patrol, I learned that patrolling kept my mind focused, so I went to Sam and started running extra shifts.

Bella had tried to contact me in the last couple weeks, but I didn't want to talk to her. She was the one who ruined things between Z and me. If it weren't for Bella, maybe Z would still be here.

I tried to tell myself that, but I knew it was a lie. I'm the one who messed things up, not Bella. It was just too easy to blame her. Either way, I didn't want to see her.

I saw Embry again after Bella's last call, and we got talking. About Azalea, of course.

"Well, do you know how long she'll be gone?" I asked.

"She said the program lasted fifty-six weeks," he answered quietly.

"Over a year?" My eyes bugged, I'm sure of it.

"Yeah. But, man, this is something she's wanted since she was three. You just need to be supportive of her. It's hard, I know, but it's what's best. My mom and I have been dealing with her leaving, too, and it's been difficult."

"But she actually said goodbye to you," I pointed out.

He sighed. "Yes, that's true. Jake, I'm sorry, bro. I know that this is extremely difficult for you, but there's nothing any of us can do."

"Do you think she'll stop phasing?" I asked. I didn't want her to stop phasing and begin aging without me knowing. If she decided to do that, then I would stop with her. If she wanted, anyway.

"I don't know, man. I don't know how much time she'll have to herself out there." His words weren't exactly comforting, but he was right about one thing. There was nothing any of us could do.

And that fact completely sucked.

Okay, I know, this is really short, and I'm sorry. But I've been busy. I've been working more, and then school's starting in two weeks, and then I really won't have much time, so during school, I'll update when I can. But I lost track of time this week, and didn't realize that it was Friday until I got home today about three hours ago. But I promised an update today, so this is it. I know it's not the best, and I'm sorry, but please review anyway and let me know what you think. I always love reading your feedback. ^.^ Until next time, my lovies!