A Bump Into Love || Matt Sturniolo

Chapter 23- This is it

Matt's POV

I parked the car and turned it off. "This is it." I said, turning to Olivia with a sad smile.
"Yeah," She sighed.

We all got out of the car in a sad silence. It was a chilly morning and Olivia only had a T-Shirt on. I took off my fluffy brown hoodie and passed it to her.
"Put this on Liv," I said, "You're gonna freeze." 
She took it and slipped it over her head, breathing in the warm scent of my hoodie.
"Okay..." Nick said, putting his hands in his pockets. "Chris and I will say our goodbyes out here and then we will let you bring her to her gate so you guys can say your own goodbyes."
Chris nodded. "Sounds good." he said sadly, pulling Olivia into a big hug.

Chris has always had an easy time getting close with people. He loved everyone as soon as he met eyes with them. But for him, Olivia was different. She was more than a friend. Olivia was a few months younger than us and she quickly became like a little sister to Chris. For once, I think he felt like the older brother. I think it was really important to him that she gave him that feeling. Now, that feeling was going to go away when she did.

He gave her one last squeeze as they let go of each other. Chris had a few tears streaming down his face and his voice broke as he spoke,  "I'm gonna miss you." 
Olivia put a hand on his shoulder, "It's okay Chrissy. I'll be back, I promise."
Chris nodded and stepped to the side.

Nick was waiting for Olivia, face already wet with tears. Olivia embraced him and Nick held her tightly.

Nick isn't like Chris, at all. He has a hard time liking people, but once he does like someone, he loves them more than anything. Olivia proves this. Nick was very sceptical in the beginning, but now he sees what I saw at the start. Olivia is his best friend, sister now. Losing her is going to be like losing a piece of himself.

They let go of each other as they did their little handshake for the last time.
"I love you Liv. Don't forget me in your thank you speech at the Grammy's" Nick half laughed, wiping away his tears.
"Love you too Nick and don't worry, I'll thank you first." she smiled, Nick did too.

She picked up one of her bags as I grabbed the other. "I'll see you guys soon."
The boys nodded and got back into the car, waving us away as we headed inside the airport doors.

We walked for almost 10 minutes, holding each other's hands in a sad silence.At last, we made it to Olivia's gate. I put her bag down beside the entrance.I let out a sigh, "You ready?" I asked

She gave me a sad smile, "I don't think I will ever be ready." She sighed, "But I have to do this, for myself."

She is sad and scared for the future. Our future. I am too, but I have to be strong and hold it together for Olivia. I can't have her change her mind because she sees how much this is killing me inside.

"And you're sure you have everything?" I asked, looking at the bags.
"I'm sure." She looked at me, I could see the tears welling up in her eyes.
I pulled her into a hug. "It's okay." I assured her, holding her tight.
She held on so tight, as did I. I never wanted to let go. I wanted to stay here forever, keeping her safe in my arms.
I could feel the heartbreak in her voice as she spoke. "I don't want to leave you." As her voice broke, I could feel my shirt getting soaked with her tears.
I squeezed her once more before ending the hug. I held her face in my hands, wiping away her tears. I looked into her eyes, as she looked into mine.
"Olivia listen," I said, freeing one of my hands. I took her arm and made her wipe her face with my hoodie. "You are going to get on that plane and fly to Canada, where you are going to fulfil your dream. You are gonna become one of the prettiest and most talented singers in the world and you're gonna love it and be happy. I know you will."
I paused to move a strand of her hair out of her eyes. She smiled slightly, trying to be strong as I continued. 
"And I promise, if it ever gets to be too much or if you just decide to come home. I will be right here, waiting to take you home to Nick and Chris where we can drink slushies until we pass out." 
That made her laugh.
"Okay." she flashed me another strong smile. 
I pulled her into one final hug, tears now escaping my own eyes. I felt her warmth for the last time as we slowly let go of each other. 
I gave her a smile and a nod as she picked up her bags and turned around towards the plane entrance.
I watched as she started to walk away. A sad-happiness welled up inside of me.

It's killing me watching her leave, but I am also so proud of her. She was going to fulfil her dream, and when she was done, I am going to be right here waiting for her. I love her more than life itself, and no amount of time or space between us could ever change that.

I was almost ready to let her go. But I forgot one thing.
"Olivia wait!" I called, running over to her.
She turned around and before she could say anything, I grabbed her hips, pulling her in close to me and with that, 

I kissed her goodbye.