Shooting Stars

Chapter 53: The Stepping Stones of Simplicity

Hello lovelies :)

I just wanted to let you guys know that this is NOT the last chapter of this story. There are exactly ten chapters left after this (plus an Epilogue) so there's still a bit of story left :)

Thanks, & love you all,

-Becca xoxo

{Ally} 

 Friday, August 29. 

 The day I told myself all summer, surely would never come. 

 But, it has. 

 And the day that I am being forced to return to Buffalo, leaving Chicago and my summer behind, has come. 

 It's 7:45 in the morning. 

 Early. 

My flight is at 11:00, and so I'm leaving the apartment at 8:30 to get to the airport at 9:00. 

 Jonathan and I are both awake. 

 We both had good sleeps, but right now, we aren't going to waste our final hour together sleeping.

 Last night. 

 Good God, last night. 

 The images from last night spiral through my mind, the taste of his lips still lingering against mine. 

My body is still electric, from his being in contact with it. 

 And right now, we're still pressed together, refusing to let go of one another. 

 I'm wearing his shirt, and he's wearing sweats, and... well, no shirt. 

 I can smell his familiar cologne on me, coming from the shirt I am wearing. 

 The scent that always brings me home. 

 The rising and falling of his chest pushes up against my back. 

 His left hand is claiming my right one, our fingers intertwined. 

 He then shifts his body so that his lips can come in contact with my skin. 

 He presses his lips against my neck, and the crispness of his touch returns.

 His lips are pressed against my neck, and I can feel his heartbeat jumping through his shirt. 

 I don't want to leave. I don't think I can leave him. 

 I feel his fingers intertwined with mine, holding my hand tightly. 

 And I am dreading the moment when I have to let go.

 The two of us lie like that for as long as we possibly can, before I know that it's time for me to get going.

 I start to push myself off of the bed, but Jonathan's arm wraps around me, pulling me closer to him.

"No. Stay." He says. 

 And his voice sounds... weak. 

 For the first time in a long time, Jonathan's voice sounds weak. 

 Pained. 

 Saddened. 

 It takes everything in me not to burst out into tears on the spot. 

 I can't cry. 

 No, that won't make things any easier. 

 "Jonathan," I say, snuggling in close to him.