Last Chance

Chapter Two

The next morning she decided to wear something simple. Just a pair of jeans and a long-sleeve shirt. There was no point in dressing up nice anymore. There was no longer a need to impress him. Nathan knocked walking in, seeming in thought as he sat on the bean bag chair, watching her brush her hair.

"Didn't put much thought into your outfit today did you?"

"Why would I?"

He sighed as he said, "Because you love him."

She didn't answer. Her grey eyes seemed distant. Even as she stared at herself in the mirror. The bags under her eyes could be clearly seen. Proving that she barely had an ounce of sleep the night before. The whites, tinted with red from the tears.

"You have to tell him Ellie."

"I can't do that," She muttered. "There's no point if I'll never see him again."

"You don't know that."

"He's moving to New York Nathan."

"So?"

"So? I'll only be able to contact him through letters until Mom allows me to get a phone. And even then letters will take weeks to get to him. Long distance relationships don't work out."

"And you're willing to risk that just because of a couple of percentages?"

Ellie stomped out, done with the conversation. The sound of thunder could be heard in the distance as she hurried outside. Not wanting to have to deal with her mother's sympathy. The smell of petrichor glided in the wind. As the fiery leaves danced around her, as the familiar tunes of the birds bounced around the atmosphere.

She approached her usual spot, in the nook of a tree, growing where the creek split into two. Having the perfect view of the rising sun.

Nathan's words refused to leave her head. "And you're willing to risk that just because of a couple of numbers." He was right. She was just giving up. But no one could blame her. The odds were against her. If she did the math it would just give her more reason to not tell him.

She was certain that Manny had never felt the same way for her. In middle school, he had a girlfriend named Lisa. He always signed his letters with "Your dearest friend" And always said things how he saw her as a sister. There was no possible way he loved her. This wasn't some storybook or fairytale. She wasn't a princess in a tower waiting for her prince to save her. This was real life. And miracles didn't happen very often.

"Today's going to be a long day," She muttered. "But I have to keep smiling so Manny isn't sad when he leaves."

The thought of having to hide how she felt from Manny was agonizing. But if this was the last time she saw him. Then she had to let him go with a smile. Ellie forced herself to smile, pushing the feelings of regret to the bottom of her soul. Going to New York was important to him so she was going to be happy. Even if it meant putting her heart in more pain then it already was.

Nathan walked up. A plate of food in hand. The smell of fresh bacon and eggs drifted through the air. Followed by the scent of sausage and hash browns. He handed her the plate, sitting amongst the grass and dirt at the foot of the tree.

"You need to eat so here."

"Thanks."

Ellie began eating the fluffy eggs her mother had made continuing to watch the creek flow. The two of them ate together as the dawn slowly disappeared. The bird's songs coming to an end. While a sympathy for other sounds began to arise. Notifying them of the newly awakened creature's presence.

"Do you really think I should tell him...." Ellie asked. "Even if it's obvious he won't return my feelings."

"How can you be so sure? No one's feelings are that easy to read. Well....most people. But that's not the point. The point is this is the last time you'll probably be able to tell him in person for who knows how long. You can't let this pass. You need to tell him before it's too late."

"What makes you think I have the guts to tell him? I've known him basically my entire life and still haven't told him yet. I don't know if I'll be able to keep it together if I tell him. I'm barely able to keep it together now."

Nathan thought before answering, "Maybe so, but I'd rather risk it than miss my chance."

Ellie let the words sink in. Maybe he was right. The worst that could happen was Manny rejecting her. It was worth it though, wasn't it? The thought that Manny might love her was exhilarating. Her heart seemed to skip as she thought about it. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach. Feel a tingly feeling rush through her body. As if all the sorrows she had felt before, had never existed.

She wasn't going to let life stop her, She wasn't going to leave it up to destiny to decide what would happen to her and Manny. Ellie was going to take it into her own hands. She was going to decide how this story was going to play it. Nothing was going to stop her. Not even fate itself.

"So what do you think you'll do?" Nathan asked. "You going to tell him....or will you...let him leave."

"Maybe I will," She said, her smile feeling genuine now. "No, I will tell him. I'm going to tell Manny I love him. I've kept my feelings hidden for too long. I can't let this moment slip away."

Smiles, "Good."

"Thanks, Nathan. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd be stuck in your room heartbroken that's what," He teased.

Ellie laughed, slipping down the trunk to rest by her brother. She laid her head on his shoulder as they watched the last colors of the sunset disappear. It was beautiful and she took in every detail. It was as if a fiery phoenix had finally woken up from its long slumber and was flying into the sky. Searching for something. As if it was another sign telling her to take this chance.