Everybody Needs Somebody | M.C.

Epilogue.

Word Count: 2,655

Four years later:

I gathered up all my papers, shoving them into my bag. The day had been way too long: full of writer's block, multiple cups of coffee, and relentless Google searches. I didn't know what to do, or where to go with the story.

I knew he would remember. But calling him up and just straight up asking him was completely ludicrous, and I knew he wouldn't like it just as much I wouldn't.

And here's why:

"I decided I needed you so much, I just couldn't stand to let you go," Michael beamed at me, and I immediately felt my eyes well up with tears. He stood up quickly, a concerned frown replacing his usual carefree grin.

"M-Michael," I stuttered out, almost full on sobbing. His inviting, warm arms I'd grow too accustomed to in the last few months were suddenly wrapped around me. They weren't comforting like they usually were. Instead, I felt like I was suffocating.

I hastily pushed him off, anger unexpectedly clouding my vision. I could see hurt visible in his green eyes, and he took a step back.

"Cla-"

"No, Michael. No. You're supposed to be back in Crescent Beach. That's your home. This is my home. We can't do this," I backed up further away from him as he tried to reach for my arm.

"Claire. We can make this work. I can move here and get a real job. I swear, I-I'll go to college. I really will!" He let a tear slip out, wiping at it harshly, "Please."

"We can't! You know you can't do that! God, Michael, why would you do this?" I slid down my wall, hugging my knees tightly and wiping my tears on my sweatpants, "Why would you come here? You know how hard this is already! We can't make it work!"

"Yes we can! I love you, Claire. I promise we can make it work," He whimpered, and I couldn't bare to look at him. I fixed my gaze on a crack in my door, unfocusing my eyes in an attempt to distract myself temporarily and to dry my tear-filled eyes.

"You need to leave," I said, my voice cracking. I wanted so bad to tell him to stay forever, to have him hold my hands in his and kiss me. But I couldn't let him move here just for me. He would leave all his friends and family and the only place he'd ever known, just for me. I wasn't worth it.

"Claire-"

"Michael," I finally looked back at him which was a mistake. The sight of him crying in front of me, pleading for me to let him stay was almost too much. I don't know how I managed to do it, but I let out a small, "Please just leave."

"But... But I love you. I c-can't," He hiccuped, letting his stream of tears run freely. I, myself, started bawling again then at the sight of this. I loved him, too, I really did. And I loved him too much to let him stay and start a whole new life for me. I couldn't let him do that.

"You don't get it! You don't love me, Michael! You care a lot for me! You're thinking irrationally. I'm not worth it. I'm not worth leaving your whole life behind just to be with me," I blurted, throwing my hands up. He let his jaw drop, ready to retaliate.

"You are, though! You're worth it! I am in love-" Michael started, but I cut him off quickly. I had to say something I knew I didn't mean but would make him leave. He had to let me go.

So I said, "You don't need me. Really, you don't. You don't need me... because I don't need you. Nobody needs anybody."

And he stopped. Because I had finally said something that got to him. I'd told him I didn't need him, which I'm sure broke his heart even more than it crushed mine to say it.