Lost

Chapter 13 Jacquelyn

"Hey, Stacy, I'm at the airport now."

"Finally! I thought you'd never come home."

"I thought so too, for a moment."

"Excited to be back, or..."

"Of course I am."

"No girl, I can hear it in your voice—something isn't right. You got down with him, didn't you?"

"W-What?"

"OMG, my girl is finally taken by Mr. Super Sexy!"

"Stacy, you better be saying all this by yourself," I whispered.

"How was it? Amazing? Romantic? In the backseat of a car?"

"Oh my gosh... no comment."

"Oh, come on, please tell me."

"Fine, but you have to promise not to blab."

"I promise."

"It was very romantic. Like a movie... but better. He's super sweet and gentle, and I kind of told him I love him—"

"WHAT?!"

"But since we had this weird vacation-only relationship going on, I figured if things had turned out differently, I would have fallen in love with him. That's why I gave myself to him—because at this point, I'm not going to find 'the one,' especially if it's not him. I know it's stupid but—"

"That's like the most romantic one-night stand ever! You have to write a story about this!"

I laughed.

"Fine, but you'll have to be my publisher and promote it like crazy."

"Deal!"

I continued chatting with Stacy, rifling through my bag for a last-minute check to make sure I had everything. Isamu had done an amazing job packing.

"Flight 1073 to California will be boarding in ten minutes."

My eyes caught something that made my heart skip a beat: two matching bracelets I'd bought at the festival. I hadn't had the courage to give him one at the time, worried he'd think it was childish.

"I have to give it to him," I muttered.

Even if we never spoke again, it would keep us connected.

I jumped to my feet and checked the time—I wouldn't make it back for my flight.

"Jackie, hey, Jackie? Give him what?"

"I forgot to give him something important, Stacy. Sorry, I won't make it back on time. I'll book a later flight."

"You go get your man, girl. Let me know if you need extra money for the ticket or a place to stay while you wait."

"No need. I've got my emergency credit card. I'll talk to you soon, okay?"

"Okay. See you later."

I speed-walked through the airport toward the exit, flagging down a taxi. I explained where I needed to go the best I could. The driver finally understood when I mentioned Isamu—of course, he'd be known, especially after the news coverage.

It took a while to get there, but I didn't care. I just needed him to have this. I needed to see him one more time.

Just before I headed inside the airport, he said something to me in Japanese, but I couldn't understand it. It was unusual—he never spoke to me in Japanese.

"Duh, I can look it up," I muttered, pulling out my phone. I typed slowly, recalling the words:

"Ai...shi...te...ru...yo..."