Dixie
November
~~~
They say it's painful to say goodbye to someone you don't want to let to go, but it's most painful to ask someone to stay when you know they want to leave.
She's never thought that was more true than right now.
Dixie could tell he was happy about it, and he got more excited everyday.
It hurt her because he couldn't see how sad she was that he was leaving.
"I can't believe I'm going to be in Vegas in a week! I'm super happy." Noah says, eyes lighting up with excitement.
She's always loved him when he talked about what he was most passionate about. It's when his eyes light up, alive, dancing and burning, as if he sees a world that no one else has seen.
But she can't fake a smile when he does it when he talks about leaving. Leaving her. Leaving everything.
"I'm glad." Dixie says, trying to give her best impression of a smile.
Noah turns to her. "But are you happy?" He asked gently.
"No." She said, without thinking about it. She automatically regrets the word as soon as it comes out of her mouth. She's done it, she's finally slipped.
"Noah, this is what I want." He says, looking exasperated.
"But did you even consider what I want?!" Noah blurts out, suddenly every emotion she's been feeling gets channeled into one.. Anger.
"Dixie-" He starts but she cuts him off.
"You're leaving Noah! Face it, you're leaving and I'm staying here, in the same old stupid little town I'll be for the rest of my life. There's no way we can be together, how can you be happy about that?!"
"Why can't you just be happy for me, Dixie?!" He shouts in frustration. "Why can't you just be happy for me like a good girlfriend, huh?!"
"Stop and wake up... We're never going to work if you leave. And I tried being okay with that, I really did. But I can't. So if you really want to go, then go. Walk out that door right now and don't come back. Not until you've realized the truth." Dixie says, pointing to the door. Inside, she begs for him to not leave, to stay, to hold her and never let her go
"I realize that I love you with every part of my heart and soul. But I can't. I can't live with the thought of having you and losing you. Not again. Not when I just got you back... So, I never thought I'd be saying this, but it's me or Vegas. If it's Vegas, walk out that door. But if you do, don't expect me to understand. Because I don't."
Inside, she begs for him to not leave, to stay, to hold her and never let her go. But outside, she doesn't budge.
And then he does something she never expected.
He opens the door and walks out
