London Boy | Jamie Flatters

Twenty-nine

We're all silent as we walk through the airport, none of us really knowing what to say in this moment. My heart feels like it might shatter into a million pieces at any moment, my words stuck in my throat. Jamie's hand in mine feels like an anchor, holding me down, keeping me from drifting off. I try to soak in what it feels like to be in his presence as much as possible, not wanting to forget the way his hands fit in mine or the scent of his cologne lingering on the sweater of his that I'm currently wearing.

    We all have flights at around the same time, all to different destinations. Bailey dropped us off, saying her goodbyes at the doors of the airport. I'd be seeing her in a few weeks when she came out to LA for the golden globes, but that didn't make saying goodbye any easier. Jack was headed to Virginia for a bit before heading back to California to film something starting in the new year. Lilly is off to Colorado to ski with her parents for the holidays before coming back to California.

    Everyone would be close enough. I would see Lilly all the time and hang out with Jack and Bailey whenever they're in the state, but Jamie? He was flying across the ocean, over 5000 miles away from me.

    "You okay?" His voice is so quiet I almost miss what he says. Jamie stops walking, tugging on my hand for me to stay for a moment, moving closer to me. I'm greeted with a piercing storm cloud blue, eyes laced with concern and sadness.

    I don't bother lying, shaking my head, "I wish we didn't have to say goodbye." I mumble sadly.

    "I know," Jamie reaches his hand up to tuck a stray piece of hair behind my ear, letting his hand linger on my cheek as he frowns, rubbing comforting circles along my cheekbone with the pad of his thumb. "I don't either."

    "I could just come with you," I offer, shrugging.

     "You know I want that," Jamie chuckles, his frown growing deeper, "but what about your dreams? If you wanna be a songwriter, LA is the place to be. Remember, you owe me a song, Trouble." 

    We'd talked about my music last night, legs tangled under the sheets of my bed, head resting upon his chest, listening to his heartbeat. I admitted that I was going to start recording some demos and submitting my songs to other artists and shows. "I know," I sigh, leaning into his touch, eyes never leaving his.

    "I'm going to text you all the time," he reassures me, moving closer to lean his forehead against mine, breath tickling my lips as he speaks, "and call you so often, you'll get sick of me."

    "That's not possible," I mumble, reaching on my tiptoes to connect my lips to his, hands moving to rest on his chest, fingers clutching to the material of his shirt, pulling him closer. We're in a crowded airport, people walking by, and voices speaking over one another as announcements are made over speakers.

    Yet it feels like Jamie and I are the only ones in here right now. Everyone else has fallen away for a moment, and it's only us.

    "Are you scared?" I ask him once we've pulled apart, my forehead resting against his, as Jamie's arms encircle around my waist, hugging me close. Jamie hums, confused as to what I am referring to, "about the future?"

    Our future. I think as a tear streams down my face. I can picture myself with Jamie in the future so clearly, more clearly than I've ever been able to envision anything before. I can see us getting a place together in London. I could make my music there, and he could continue acting.

   And we'd be so happy.

    "Sometimes," he whispers, "I don't know what our futures hold, Eden; but I do know, no matter what, you're in it." His words send a wave of relief through me, "This long-distance thing isn't forever, okay? Just for now."