I won’t lie to you, I’m not leaving on my own. I’m going on a trip with D and Caitlyn, and then I’ll be moving to a whole new place, and Darius is coming with me. He resigned before the ball, I don’t know if you knew that, but he didn’t want to stay and become someone he no longer recognized.
That’s what I fear the most, that from this point on, I’ll always look in the mirror and see a shell of my former self. I can barely stand to do it now. I know it’s only been three days, but the whole experience has changed and warped me, and I need to figure out what that means for me.
I can’t presume how long you’ve waited before reading this, in my head I gave you a day, but I hope you didn’t rush yourself. If you are reading this, then it means I can tell you my truth.
I can take all the time in the world to discover myself, but it will never lessen my feelings for you. I don’t want to let you go, and I hope you feel the same way. I understand if you don’t want me anymore, and I could never hate you for it, but if you think you could be with a girl who can give you one fifth of her heart, then you’ll find me in Savannah. I know that may be vague, but if you read between the lines, you may find the perfect person to give you the answer you might want.
Although you may not have my whole heart, know that I will love you completely, and with everything I am. I will never leave you wondering, and I will always help you to be a better man, because you’ve helped me to be a better woman.
Yours Forever,
Little Zero
I pull out my phone and fire out a text, the minute I get a response, I pack a bag, book a fight, and set off for the airport. I love yo, Little Zero, and I won’t ever stop.
I pull up outside a small diner, I was half expecting to arrive at Luna’s bakery, but I guess she doesn’t have one yet. I know she can afford one, so what is she waiting for?
I step inside and take a seat, a waitress comes over and I order a cup of coffee, before settling into my seat. I don’t know if she’ll be here, but I hope she is. I stare out of the window and watch as people pass me by, getting on with their day.
The door opens, but I don’t look behind me, I don’t move until the seat across from me is pulled out, and Darius sits down.
“Aeron.” He nods his head, and I return the gesture.
“Hey, is it just you?” I ask, as I rub the back of my neck.
“For now, just making sure that you’re not going to upset her. Not that she thinks you will, but I have to be sure.” He orders a coffee as mine is placed down, before leaning back.
“I need to see her, man. I love her. I read the letter, and I don’t know if I understand it all, but I know I need to be with her. I won’t ask her for anything, I’ll just be.”
“What would you give up for her?” His question isn’t surprising, but I’m not sure what the point of it is.
“Everything, my name, money. Everything I have. Although, I guess I’ve already done that. I’m still a Harkwright, I have no other name to claim, but I took training to be a mechanic, and I’m looking forward to working under someone. I don’t need my own garage, not until I feel as though I’ve earned it.” I spread my hands out on the table, as his eyes shoot over my head.
I don’t turn around, I just assume it’s the waitress, until a hand falls on my shoulder, and I see Luna’s reflection in the window.
I spin around, and place my hand over hers. My throat feels thick, and I know I can’t force any words out of my mouth, not yet.
“I love you too, Aeron, and I don’t need you to give up anything and I would never ask you to, either. But know that I would do the same for you. You deserve that much.” A beautiful smile spreads across her face, as I push to my feet, and pull her into me. My arms wrap around her waist, and I breathe her in. I can kiss her in a moment, for now, I just need to hold her.
This is all I need, everything else can wait.
Emmet
One and a Half Years After Graduation
Maddox walks into my room, and arches a brow at the letter lying open on my bed.
“You finally opened it.” He moves closer, because he picks it up, and laughs.
“I opened it the day after she left, I just don’t understand what it means. How is that supposed to tell me anything? One word, Maddox, that is all I got, one fucking word.”
Starr
It was Selene’s surname, but what has that got to do with anything? Why would I need to be ready for that?
“She probably did it because she knew you wouldn’t be able to wait. You are too impulsive. Tell me how you feel, brother, tell me everything.” He sits down on my bed, and I sit up straighter, before swiping a hand over my face.
“I’m sorry, Mad, for the way I treated you. I wasn’t a good brother, but I’m proud of you. For everything you’ve done, and for the way you’re running the Academy. I’m amazed at the way you have embraced who you are.” A sheen overtakes his eyes, before he gives me a watery smile.
“Thank you, brother. I had no idea I needed to hear that. You sure you’re okay with what I’m doing with the Academy though?” he asks, and I nod.
He did what me and Aeron discussed, opened it to everyone, with a strict set of rules. It’s classed as an elite college, but it’s no longer set to only fifty girls and fifteen guys. Anyone can apply, and physicals are no longer needed.
“Okay, that’s good. But you know that isn’t what I meant.” He smiles at me, and I shake my head, as I weigh up my words. “Don’t think about it, Emmy, just say it.”
“I kept questioning whether or not I loved her, and I’m not doing that now. I stopped the night Cole took her. I do love her, and I’ve realized that I would rather only have one part of her, than none at all. I hate that I feel that way, but I can’t help it. I shouldn’t want her, and my pride doesn’t want me to chase after her, but I know she’s worth it.” I sigh, before meeting him head on. “Giving up my power to her didn’t make me weak, losing her did. I don’t even recognize myself anymore. Running the company didn’t bring me any pleasure, which is why I appointed someone else to do it, and only go in when I have to. The Academy is too fucked up for me to have a part to play, and right now, I feel useless. So yeah, I no longer expect her to choose, but I still don’t know if I can handle seeing her with anyone else.” I fall back against my pillows, as he pats me on the knee.
“I think you’re ready now, brother. Just so you know, I never lost touch with her. She’s one of my best friends.” He smirks, before handing me a piece of paper as I glare at him. “Don’t use that until you know for sure, because she won’t give them up just to be with you, even if she gets tempted.”
Luna
I knew what it meant, the minute I signed the check and sent it to the Academy, keeping only enough for my mom. That my hopes and dreams, everything I had ever allowed myself to want, would be stripped away. It’s what I deserved, or so I thought.
Standing here now, the smell of fresh bread and cakes, filling the space, my space, grateful tears prick my eyes.