Dear Augustus | I Never Let Go ✓

22 | No More Running - Part 2

I walk, taking a long way home after spending an hour at the dark, secluded park, admiring the view of one of the oldest suspension bridges of Iowa. I remember crossing that bridge with Adrian when we first got here. We explored the city that first year when we were still freshmen. All the memories are still fresh in my mind. We've been so much together that I can't imagine my life away from him.

As I walk through the hills, it starts drizzling, and by the time I take the sidewalk that leads to my complex, it's downright pouring. I hug my trembling frame as raindrops splatter my face, and every frigid drop chills my skin and penetrates my bones. Fucking perfect!

Then my feet come to an abrupt halt when I see the black Harley parked in front of my building and a tall, imposing figure leaning against the beast of a bike.

I stare at him through wet eyelashes, blinking against the icy drizzles, watching as he straightens. He stares up at me, our eyes catching through the spitting rain. And I want to either run towards him because he is here or run back from where I came in if I'm dreaming.

He looks so handsome, even when he is dripping wet, his brown sodden strands messy, sticking across his brow. He's standing tall, with his suit jacket thrown over his right shoulder, while his white shirt clings to his muscular frame, every thread soaked. His white skin looks paler due to the rain. He moves away from the bike, stepping closer towards me, and I blink at him with clattering teeth against the cold.

Standing just out of my arm's reach, he holds my gaze with a look that says it all. He's here, and I'm not imagining it. He takes another step, then wipes away the rivers of rain from his face before pulling out his suit jacket and draping it over my shivering figure. The closeness and the smell of his cologne mixed with his scent have me taking a step back. Now that I know what they can do, I can't take it without confirming what he wants. They are sure to tear down the walls around my heart and leave me gasping while he decides to move on with some blond-haired Barbie.

"Why are you here, Adri?" I ask, my teeth clattering and my voice a mere whisper.

He shoves his hands into his wet hair and huffs out a haughty laugh, then holds me captive with those green eyes. "What you said about us...were you serious?" He grumbles in a deep gravelly voice. It makes me clench my hands into fists from smoothening the tightness of his jaw.

"Every bit of it," I say, nodding my head slowly then taking a confident step forward, closer, my eyes on his, and everything disappears when he finally reaches out and draws me in. He takes slow steps towards me and stops when our shoe touches. He holds my face in his large palms and brushes away the tears falling from my eyes.

"I let him go," I say, my voice shaking as I inhale sharply, his scent reaching every aching corner of my heart.

"Augustus? Why?" he frowns, his eyes running over my face, studying my features for a long passing minute, then he tucks a wet unruly lock of hair behind my ear. His hold is gentle around my face as he thumbs my bottom lip, and both of our breath quickens.

"Because I chose him, but that choice itself wasn't enough to bind us together," I say, the warmth of his hands framing my face making it easier to confess. "The time I spent away from you made me realize that there are so many different shades of love- The shade that fades with time but remains in light tint throughout your lifetime and the shade that grows darker with time. My story with Augustus was the fairytale kind, the dreamy shade but what I have with you is something that I never planned. It just happened, without any choices and no wants."

"What do you mean, V?" He whispers, closing his eyes for a long minute, then they pin me questioningly.

"I love you, Adri. I love you with every piece of my broken heart, every part of my existence. I think I can't be without you either. I can't be without your obnoxious self clinging on to me or your moonlight smile brightening my darkest nights."