UNBREAKABLE

Chapter 21

EVERY DAY WAS LIKE living a dream. So Art and I made sure we spent each weekend together, though we were hours apart in the distance.

Nobody or nothing can come between us.

It was a clear-as-day realization that dawned on us as days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and before we knew it, we were already in our junior year.

As Avery always says, our relationship will destroy others for her. She kept telling us we were challenging her future relationship because we'd been balancing college life and our love life like a walk in the park.

We made everything happen. Things that were impossible for other couples like us became possible for us. Each weekend and holiday we always spend with each other. It had been our rule. Whatever happens or the situation may be, we won't let a weekend pass by not seeing each other.

As we finished each semester leading to Art's internship year, an inner fear started crawling within me. He submitted applications to all the high places, within and outside the US. Yet, he kept assuring me that submitting applications for international internships was automatic, and he didn't have any plans to go somewhere else but Boston.

Wherever you are, I'll choose the nearest one. Art promised me over and over. And I believe him. In my heart, I knew he would stay true to that promise. The same how I knew I wouldn't let him hinder himself from reaching his fullest potential if ever an opportunity came to him. That's why the fear of not seeing or spending time with him like we always did stays in my mind rent-free.

***

"What's up?" Avery's voice woke me from my reverie.

I shrugged my shoulders and shied away from her eyes.

"Nothing," I whispered.

"You think you can lie to me?" My best friend's face was now a breath away from mine.

I sighed aloud. "Today, Art will know where his internship will be?"

"Are you afraid he won't get accepted?"

I shook my head multiple times. "He will indeed get accepted." I smiled. "I'm sure of that. The question is, where?"

"Oh, Shells." Avery's voice croaked. Like always, my best friend felt the tinge of sadness I'd been having for months.

"I'm fine. I should be, right?" The last sentence sounded more like a cry for help than a question.

When I looked at Avery's face, her eyes were glistening. She felt my heart. Feeling the bond between us, I let my tears fall freely.

In a second, my best friend's arms were around me. Though I felt our bodies shaking, Avery tried to be stronger by sounding calm.

"Wherever this internship will bring Art, nothing could stand between you guys." Avery's hand started caressing my hair while my cries turned into sobs. "Your relationship has been through a lot, and nothing can challenge it more."

My head kept nodding as Avery's whispers of comfort continued to my ears. This show of sentiments should be my first and last. I must fight the sadness and fear, especially when Art is before me.

It would only be a matter of hours before he would be here. We promised to be beside each other when he opened his emails. And I promised to be the best and most supportive girlfriend he could ever have.

I already thought of everything. Art deserves to grab the best opportunity that would come his way, career-wise. It would be his armor for our future. Trust and maturity to see things would strengthen us if he ever had to leave the country for his studies.