My Art (Elio Perlman)

Last Time

Today is our last day.

I had to go home and pack up all my things, which took about 2 hours.

As I was walking out of the house, my parents stop me.

"Mia?" My mom says.

I turn and sigh. "Yeah?"

She hesitates and sadly smiles. "I'm gonna miss you. And- and I'm proud of you." She looks to my dad and then back at me. "I love you."

I bite my lip, nervously. It had been years since my mom had said that and sounded like she meant it. "I love you too, mom." The only bad part was that I didn't know if I meant it.

"We will meet you at the station to say bye." My dad says with a weak smile, rubbing my shoulder. "You will do great things, honey. I'm sure of it."

I smile wide. Despite leaving my favorite place in the world, I was ecstatic. Tomorrow is going to be the start of something new. Something great.

____

When I get to Elio's, I put my bags in his room, and walk outside to where everyone was currently eating.

"Good morning." I grin, kiss Elio on the cheek, and sit down next to him.

"Morning." He mumbles, and suddenly, my happy mood crashes in on itself.

I knew it.

I fucking knew it.

There's no possible way if ever be able to enjoy my last day here because someone would be upset.

Call it selfish, I don't care. I just wanted one last normal day.

"You know what.. I ate before I got here." I pat Elio's shoulder. "I'll be upstairs."

____

He was upstairs in 20 minutes, pacing around the room.

"What's wrong Elio?"

"It's our last day." He runs his hands through his hair.

I sigh. "I thought we were over this-"

"I'll never be over it!" He yells.

I jump back, startled at him raising his voice. Slight tears came to my eyes, but I fought them back. "I get that your angry, but you don't have to yell."

His face softened and he approached me, stared into my eyes, and then collapsed onto his knees, sobbing into my shirt, holding my waist tightly. "I don't want you to go." He cries. "Not like Oliver-"

I drop down to his level and grab his face. It seems like all we ever do is cry anymore. "Hey, look at me." He does. "I will never be like Oliver."

He nods and grabs my face the same as I am. "I'm so proud of you, Mia. I'm so proud."

I giggle and kiss his forehead. "I'm proud of you too, Elio."

He furrows his brows. "I've done nothing but be a pain in the ass."

I shake my head and push a piece of hair out of his face. "No baby. I'm proud of you for getting out of bed. I'm proud of you for eating and being healthy. I'm proud of you for just existing because without you I would be nothing. Even when I'm gone your still going to take care of yourself and be the Elio I love, okay?"

He nods and sobs. "Thank you."

I hug him one last time. "I love you more than anything."

____

It didn't take long for me to finish packing. Before I knew it, the sun had set and I had realized that by this time tomorrow I would be on my way to a new country. A new life.