Crossing Paths

Chapter 4: A Long Goodbye

Kate's POV

Leaving Texas was harder than I anticipated. The week had flown by, filled with basketball drills, late-night talks, and a growing connection with Alex. I felt a twinge of sadness knowing that our time together was coming to an end. As I packed my bags, I kept replaying our conversations in my head, especially the one on the rooftop where Alex played her guitar.

Alex and I had exchanged numbers and promised to keep in touch. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that the distance might complicate things. It was one thing to connect in person, another to maintain that connection from different states, especially with both of us being busy with our sports and studies.

At the airport, I was greeted by Caitlin and Gabby. Caitlin waved excitedly, while Gabby gave me a teasing grin. "How was Texas? Meet anyone special?" Gabby asked, winking.

I laughed, shaking my head. "It was good. Met some cool people."

Caitlin raised an eyebrow. "Cool people, huh? Sounds like there's more to that story."

I blushed, unable to hide my smile. "Okay, maybe there's one person. Her name's Alex."

As we drove back to campus, I filled them in on the camp and meeting Alex. Caitlin seemed genuinely interested, while Gabby teased me relentlessly. It felt good to talk about Alex, even if I was still figuring out what it all meant.

Alex's POV

The day after Kate left, I woke up feeling strangely empty. It was as if something was missing. Jessica, my best friend and roommate, noticed my mood immediately.

"You okay?" she asked, sipping her coffee. "You look... pensive."

I sighed, stirring my cereal. "Yeah, just... Kate's gone, and it's weird not having her around."

Jessica smirked. "You two got close, huh? So, what's the plan? Long-distance?"

I shrugged. "We said we'd keep in touch, but who knows. It's not easy, and we're both so busy."

She nodded, understanding. "Just take it one day at a time. And remember, I'm here if you need to talk."

Her support meant a lot. Later that day, I decided to text Kate, not wanting to lose the connection we had built.

Text to Kate:
Hi pretty! Just wanted to say I hope you had a safe flight. Let me know when you land so I know you made it okay.

I sent the message and waited, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

Kate's POV

My phone buzzed as we were landing. It was a message from Alex, which instantly made me smile.

Text from Alex:
Hi pretty! Just wanted to say I hope you had a safe flight. Let me know when you land so I know you made it okay.

Her thoughtfulness warmed my heart. As soon as we were on the ground, I texted back.

Text to Alex:
Just landed! Thanks for checking in 😊 I'll text you later once I'm settled back on campus.

Arriving back on campus, I felt a mix of emotions. Part of me was relieved to be back in familiar surroundings, but another part missed Alex already. After unpacking, I decided to FaceTime her, eager to see her face and hear her voice.

We chatted for a while, catching up on the day and reminiscing about the camp. It felt like a balm for my homesickness for Texas and for Alex. But as we talked, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a challenging journey. Could we really make this work with so much distance between us?

Alex's POV

After our FaceTime call, I felt a strange mix of happiness and apprehension. It was great to see Kate, but the reality of our situation was sinking in. Long-distance relationships were notoriously difficult, and both of us had demanding schedules.

Jessica noticed my quietness as we got ready for bed. "Everything okay with Kate?" she asked, her voice gentle.

I sighed, shrugging. "Yeah, it's just... we really connected, you know? But I'm not sure how we're going to make this work."

Jessica gave me a sympathetic look. "Just take it day by day. Don't put too much pressure on it."

Her words helped, but I couldn't help feeling the weight of uncertainty. As I lay in bed, I thought about Kate and our conversations. I hoped we could figure out a way to stay close, despite the miles between us. Only time would tell if we could navigate the challenges ahead.