Can Love Overcome Amnesia?

Chapter 4: Tragedy Strikes

~Annie~

After lunch the next day, my parents and I wen't over to the Williams' house and helped them pack up the rest of their stuff. It didn't take that long since most of their things are already packed while the rest are to be left at the house. I was secretly thankful that they wouldn't take away Josh's furniture in his room. I wouldn't want to see the place empty if I ever have the nerve to step in this house after they leave.

Then at about 3 o'clock my parents drove to the airport while I rode with Josh and his parents. We were going to say our temporary goodbyes at the airport. During the ride Josh and I exchanged make-up stories, knowing full well that this could be the last time we ever do it in person. This just has a different experience compared to WebChatting.

I didn't know that the house was far from the airport till I saw the dark sky when we arrived there. We helped the Williams get their belongings in a cart and walked them to the lobby. As I helped Josh push his cart I couldn't help but wonder if this was all a bad dream, and that tomorrow morning I'm going to wake up to find Josh on my balcony, demanding for me to stop being lazy and get up.

After about 5 minutes we stopped by a long line of people that were about to enter the Terminal.

This is it. Josh really is leaving. This isn't a nightmare, it's reality. A horrible reality.

I tried to breathe deeply to calm myself down, but the action only made my heart pound fast. And not in a oh-my-gosh-Josh-is-so-close moment.

I avoided Josh's gaze and tried to distract myself with my surroundings. There were people bustling in and out of the lobby. Some were pushing carts with luggages no bigger than a backpack (which made me wonder what the point of pushing a cart was) while some were pushing carts with luggages the size of refrigerators.

My gaze wandered over to a pair of children holding hands and playfully shoving each other as they stood in line with their parents. I bit my lip as I held back a sob. That should be me and Josh. We should be holding hands like those kids, and not avoiding each other's eyes.

I breathed in again--successfully this time--and said, "Josh, I--"

"Annie--" He started, cutting me off. "Sorry, you go first."

"No, you go first," I shook my head, staring at my shoes. This is definitely not how bestfriends should act.

"We gotta leave now, Josh," Mr. Williams said, breaking the tension between us.

"Right," he nodded and watched as his father walk away towards Mrs. Williams and my parents. He turned to me and said, "I promise to call as soon as we get there."

"Okay."

"I promise to WebChat with you at least twice a day."

"Good."

"I promise to visit you every free time I have."

"You better."

Josh sighed and placed a finger under my chin, forcing me to look at his hazel eyes. "Look," he said. "I know you're upset, but I'm not happy about this either, okay?"

I nodded slowly, making sure that his words of our last few moments together are engraved in my brain. It'll stay there until the next time we see each other.

"Bye Annie-bear." Josh pulled me into a bear hug and buried his face in my hair. Finally, not being able to stop it, the tears that have been fighting against my will fell. With all the tears I shed last night I didn't even expect that my eyes would be hydrated enough to drop more tears.