Stick to the Plan

Ch.18: This is Goodbye✈️

Luckily we beat the sirens. Morgan purchased her ticket in the car. The flight was for 4:44AM, which was in an hour.

"I'm freaking out," I said as I drove out of earshot of the blaring police cars.

"Me too," Morgan replied, "I don't wanna leave you."

"I don't want you to leave me either," I said, whipping the car into the parking deck of the airport. I parked, and Morgan hopped out, grabbing her dog and suitcase from the back. I followed suit, trying to hold my tears at bay.

"Walk in with me," Morgan commanded, rolling her suitcase along the concrete. I held the dog carrier.

We walked into the bustling airport that was still busy at this hour. At the line where you get your physical ticket, she turned to me, her eye leaking with tears.

It was the most heartbreaking sight I've ever seen.

"So I guess this is goodbye," Morgan choked. "Come here, chika." She held her arms out, and I practically fell into them.

We embraced for what felt like an eternity. I just couldn't let her go. People walked around us, oblivious of how much we meant to each other, how much of ourselves we put into each other in just a few short days. Of the time spent falling deeper and deeper in love, the secrets spilled over a bottle of liquor.

No, they didn't know, and that was okay, because we knew, and we would never forget this time in our lives. The time that shaped my character in the best way possible.

"I love you," I squeaked against her shoulder. "Please don't go."

"You know I have to," Morgan answered. "I love you too, Emery."

"Then stay," I begged, "Please."

"Emery, you're making this so hard for me. If I stay you know what they'll do to me."

"I'll protect you. I'll do anything."

"You can't protect me from the police, Em."

"I can try."

"I have to go."

Morgan released me, looking into my eyes as was customary for her. I was close to sobbing. I handed her Holden, and she hefted her things before kissing me deeply. I kissed back, being gentle with her face.

"This isn't goodbye. This is 'later'," Morgan said. I wanted to burst out crying at the sound of that, because I knew it wasn't true. How would I ever see her again in Amsterdam? "Unless you wanna come with me. I could get another ticket. We could make our way together." She was looking at me pleadingly, but I had to shake my head.

"I can't just leave my mom. I wish I could go with you, though," I told her, wiping my eyes.

"I gotta get out of here," Morgan said.

"Later," I waved the way I did when she dropped me off at school.

"Later," Morgan said.

And then she burst into tears, walking away from me so the pain of seeing my face would end sooner.