What If I Can't Forget You?

{31}

Alex's POV

"Claire- I know that it hasn't been long..." Vic started. Claire began to cry softly, smiling. "But I am so in love with you. Will you..." He opened the small box, revealing a silver engagement ring laced with diamonds. "Will you spend your forever with me?"

"Yes! Yes." She said through her tears.

I guess it just wasn't my business, Vic's proposal. So I walked on, smiling at what I had just witnessed, finally trying to come to terms with it all. Everything and everyone I was leaving behind.

"Alex! Wait!" Someone yelled. I ignored it.

I pushed open the double doors to the parking lot and ran into the night.

As I crossed the expanse of pavement towards the road, I wondered if they would miss me.

No, I thought. Because I'm the reason for this mess. It's my fault.

I hailed a cab to the airport. The digital clock on the dash flashed 3:27 as we pulled away and headed down the interstate. I noticed a few frantic-looking people gathering at the curb we had just pulled away from. Once again, I turned around and tried to enjoy my last hours in Phoenix in peace.

•••

I payed the poor soul in the driver's seat and climbed out underneath the yellow light of the airport.

The airfield was silent. Few planes landed at 3:45 in the morning; only international liners and very confused rich people in private jets.

I strode inside and bought a ticket for the 6 AM flight to San Diego. I didn't care for my luggage; it wasn't that important. I just wanted to leave, to escape this stupid dream.

I walked to the terminal and sat down in an uncomfortable plastic chair, staring at the floor.

Suddenly, the entire security wing of the airport exploded with alarms. I jerked up, alert now to all the racket. Two figures emerged from security, searching the terminal.

"Alex!" Tony yelled as soon as he saw me.

Fuck. What are they doing here?

"Tone..." I said, as he approached.

"Alex- you can't just leave."

"Please just understand-"

Jaime walked up behind him, placing his hand on Tony's back.

"Hey, Tone, could you, um, give us a second?"

"Yeah, uh, sure..." He said, backing away. Immediately, my hands got clammy and I began to get very nervous. I didn't want to face him.

"Hey." He said.

"Hi."

"Listen, I'm- I'm really sorry." He wrung his hands, staring at the ground. "For everything."

"Me too."

"Alex." He said, sounding choked up. He placed his hand around mine. Smiling at me, a small smile that made little crinkles around his bright eyes. I loved that smile. I melted.

"Jaime, I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen..." I started getting choked up too, so I stopped to compose myself. "You know I didn't mean anything I said. Jaime, I-" It was time to say it. "I love you."

He stared blankly at me for a moment. Grasping my hand, he gently pulled me closer.

"I love you too."

Then, he placed his hand on the back of my neck, pulled my face close to his, and he kissed me.

Everything around us melted, and all of our problems disappeared. It was him and me, there in that moment. Nothing else mattered.

He pulled away for a moment.

"Please stay..." He pleaded.

"I'll always be right here." I smiled at him.

I loved him so much, and I could finally feel that he felt the same. And if my life were to end right there in that airport terminal, I would have been okay with it.

The End.

•••

Hey! I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

Big thank you goes out to everyone that was a part of "Book Club" for being so supportive and sweet. Special thank you goes to my best friend Alex! _alexokay I love you more than anything.

Most of all, thanks to you! Yes, you, reading this right now. Thank you so much for reading this book. It means so much. I love you.

Thanks again.

-Kenz