These Broken Roads

Chapter 32: Breaking Ties

~Natalie~

I looked down at the little box that we found in Mom's closet with her things. We weren't able to pack everything of her's but this box was important. It contained baby pictures, little notes, random art projects from school.

"Is that everything?" I asked Nate as I set the box on top of everything in the trunk.

Nate nodded. "Yeah. I gave the title and instructions to Scott. He knows what to do."

I looked at Haley. "How are you doing, Little One?"

She looked at me with red puffy eyes, but didn't say anything. I sighed and nodded. I wrapped my arms around myself and looked both ways on our street, hoping to see his car. I didn't.

I heard thunder overhead. It was fitting that it would rain today.

"Natalie, it's time to go."

I felt tears fall from my eyes as I nodded and looked at my brother. I felt so many emotions that I felt my heart was being torn into a million pieces.

"I really thought he'd show." I said getting into the passenger seat.

Nate nodded. "I thought they both would."

I watched as Nate put the car in gear and back out of the driveway. He paused out front of the house and I smiled at it. I gave it a wave as we headed down the street. I leaned my head on the glass window as rain drops began to tap on the glass.

I'll miss this town. I'm going to miss the Diner and Linda. I'm going to miss school. Mary, Sarah, Josh, Mrs. Kurtz, Richie and Drew. I'm going to miss the beautiful snow falls that this town has. The crisp, but sunny falls. The bright and colorful springs. The crazy hot summers.

I'm going to miss Susan, Scott, and Andrew. I'm going to miss Quinn and Taylor.

I hiccuped trying to keep my tears from spilling again. I'm going to miss him most of all. His smile, his touch, the looks he gives me, his eyes...

I felt tears slide down my cheeks. I imagined never being able to see his beautiful green eyes again. No more late night calls with him. No sassy remarks. No more nights like that night. No more love from him.

It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair to any of us.

I looked at my brother, who kept his eyes on the road, but I could tell how much he'd been crying too. Mary wasn't even able to say goodbye because she was too upset. She wasn't just losing a boyfriend, but she was losing a best friend too.

I knew how she felt.

I glanced behind me at Haley. She laid her head back against the seat. At least she's stopped screaming. She screamed until she got sick when I told her we had to leave. She didn't understand why we had to move. We said that a bad man was out to get us and we had to keep her safe. She accepted it, but was clearly still upset.

It took us a day to get everything we could packed in the car and we were finally leaving. We could only take what fit in Nate's small car. Scott had a realtor friend that would sell the house for us. He then had instructions to deposit the money into an account so Nate and I could access it.

"Someone is following us." Nate said quietly.

I looked behind us and gasped. "Pull over."

Nate gave me a look. "Nat-"

"That's E's car." I said, grabbing the handle to the door. "Pull over!"

Nate obeyed finally and I just about tumbled out. I ran to the car. The rain was making me drenched, but I didn't care. E got out and met me halfway. I slammed into him, burying my face in his chest. My tears mixed with the rain were on my face.

I couldn't help the sobs that came from me. "I-I thought...you weren't..."

"Shush." He whispered. "I told you. I'm not leaving you."

I sobbed even louder. "I love you E. Y-You're my everything."

E held me tighter. "I'm right here, Natalie."

I felt my knees buckle, but E held me up. I thought he wasn't going to come. I thought I blew my chance at saying good-bye. I thought he hated me.

"D-Do you hate me?"

He shook his head. "No. I know why you're doing it. I just wish there was another option."

I gripped at his shirt. "Me too. E, there's nothing I wish for more."

"I know."

I pressed my face into his drenched shirt. I was so afraid to meet those green eyes. I was afraid to be too afraid to leave. I was afraid I was going to be selfish and stay.

"Natalie..." E said softly. "Natalie...look at me."

I gently opened my fists and looked up at him. His warm eyes were so bright and green. His blond hair stuck to his forehead in waves, like it always does when it's wet.

"I want to wait for you." He said slowly. "I want you to promise to come back to me. One day. I meant what I said. I see a future with you and I want it with you."

"I want a future with you too. I always have." I said softly. "But I can't ask you to put your life on hold for me. I don't know how long-"

"I don't care." He said cupping my face. "I'll be right here, waiting for you."

"E I-"

"This is my decision." He said with a stern look, as the rain ran down his face. "I want to do this. I don't want anyone but you."

I swallowed hard, knowing what I had to do. I didn't know if or when I was going to come back. I can't have E waiting for me.

"Be happy, E." I said, stepping away from him, making me feel cold and empty. "Be happy, even if it's not with me. You've grown so much this past year. You deserve so much."

"Natalie, I want you."

"And I want you." I said, closing my eyes tightly, feeling more tears and the rain drops on my back. "But right now fate hates us. I won't be the one to hold you back."

E shook his head. "Natalie, no."

"She'll be really special, E." I said and I think I could literally feel my heart shattering. "I hope she takes care of you. I hope you take care of each other."

"Natalie..."

I stepped forward giving E one last kiss, lingering for a moment to taste the sweet and salty taste of his lips, before pulling away from him.

"Good bye, E." I said softly. "I hope fate brings us together again."

I watched as E's eyes filled with tears, but they never fell. His waves on his head dripped with the rain water. He swallowed hard. I saw a flash of anger, but he quickly covered it up.

"Fine." He said, his voice horse. "If that's what you really want."

I nodded and gave him as much of a smile that I could muster. "It is. I love you, Elliot Miller."

E chuckled and finally met my eyes. "And I love you Natalie Steeler."

I ran my hand through his hair one last time, slicking it back with the rain. I then pulled away, walking to the car. I got in and faced forward, telling myself not to look back, but I did glance back in the rearview mirror and met E's eyes again.

It took everything in me not to jump out again.

Nate took my hand and squeezed it. I swallowed hard and squeezed back.

Everything will be okay. Even with the broken roads they always lead us to something better. At least I hope.