Diplomatic Affairs

Pollings Ahoy

Back at the academy, a swirl of emotions weighed heavily on my heart. As we arrived at my room, the sight of my luggage arranged neatly, ready for departure on the upcoming break, met our eyes.

Alex sank onto my bed, his face etched with a blend of frustration and fatigue. Concerned, I approached him and settled beside him. "Are you okay?" I inquired, my voice gentle with worry.

"He got away," Alex disclosed, his voice tinged with evident frustration and a tinge of remorse.

A pang of alarm shot through me as I noticed a trickle of blood tracing its path down from Alex's temple. "Alex, you're bleeding," I exclaimed, my instinct propelling me to reach out and assess the injury.

Gently yet firmly, he pushed my hand away, rising from the bed. "All of this is my fault," he muttered, a cloud of self-blame overshadowing his words.

"No, it's not," I asserted, my own concern urging me to stand as well. My heart ached at the weight he was carrying, the turmoil written across his features.

He turned towards me, his frustration palpable. "I can't deny it. If I had just stayed away right from the beginning, none of this mess would be happening. I should've taken your advice, treated you like a rival. Perhaps then, you wouldn't have been almost shot at," his voice resonated with regret, a heavy burden he was shouldering.

"Alex, Reagan was determined to push my mom out of the race, no matter what. It's not your fault," I emphasized sincerely, my hand extending to reach him, bridging the emotional gap that separated us.

"Yeah, but he used me to get to you," Alex responded, his voice intertwining frustration and helplessness. The gravity of the situation seemed to bear down on us, casting a shadow over our hearts as we grappled with the consequences of our choices.

The room's air hung heavy with unspoken sentiments. Alex and I confronted each other, a poignant realization stretching between us like a somber veil. "We can't do this," Alex started, his voice trembling, "Not if it means I'm putting your safety on the line."

My gaze met his, a sinking feeling taking root, my words escaping in barely a whisper. "What are you saying?"

With a steadying breath, he met my eyes, a blend of pain and resolve reflecting in his gaze. "I'm saying we should end this."

His words hit me like a tidal wave, the weight of his decision crashing down on me. "Alex no we'll find a way" I managed to croak out, my voice catching in my throat.

Alex's eyes were brimming with remorse as they met mine. "There's no way, Ben. If it's not Reagan, then it'll be your own country turning against you if they find out about us. I can't let you endure that because of me."

A lump lodged in my throat, and an unsettling numbness seemed to spread through my chest. It was hard to fathom that this was truly happening. As Alex leaned down, his lips brushed against my forehead in a tender kiss, sealing the weight of his decision in my heart. The ache inside me resonated with the finality of his words. "Goodbye, Benjamin," he murmured, his voice a soft caress before he turned to leave.

I couldn't bear it. Overwhelmed by a surge of raw emotion, I found myself driven to follow him. My steps faltered, tears threatening to spill as I stumbled out of the suite. The hallway blurred before me, my vision clouded by the unshed weight of my feelings. Just as I raced forward, I collided into Ryder, who caught me, offering a steadying presence. Confusion knitted his brow as he looked at me. "Ben, your mom asked me to find you when you left. What's going on?"

I bit my tongue, struggling to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. The dam finally broke, and tears streamed down my face. Ryder's confusion turned to concern as he pulled me into his arms, offering comfort as I sobbed, the pain of the breakup and the weight of my emotions crashing over me.