Wait No More

Part Twenty-Six

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Olivia sat on the steps of the Job Corps building, her heart heavy with the weight of impending change. It was hard to believe that after eight months of shared experiences, laughter, and the thrill of newfound love, graduation day was finally approaching them. The excitement of accomplishment was overshadowed by an anxiety that gnawed at her—this milestone meant they would soon part ways.

Ethan approached, his hands stuffed in his pockets, a contemplative look on his face. "Hey," he said softly, taking a seat beside her. The warmth of his presence was both comforting and bittersweet, a reminder of the connection they had forged during their time together.

"Hey," Olivia replied, forcing a smile as she turned to meet his gaze. "Can you believe it's almost over?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "No. It feels surreal. I'm excited, but..." His voice trailed off, and they both knew the unspoken truth hanging in the air between them.

"Yeah," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "What happens next? We've built this amazing life together here, and now..." Her thoughts raced ahead to the uncertainty of the future. Ethan would head to a job in another city, and she had plans of her own. Would the flame they had ignited be strong enough to withstand the distance?

Ethan turned to her, his bright eyes searching hers. "I don't want this to be the end for us, Liv. We can figure things out. We've faced challenges before."

She nodded, but the doubt lingered. "It's different when you're not just a hop and a skip so away. What if we can't make it work?"

He reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. "We owe it to ourselves to try. We've come too far to throw it all away. I want to make this work, no matter the miles between us."

Tears pricked at the corners of Olivia's eyes as she squeezed his hand. "I want that too, but it scares me. What if we change? What if we grow apart?"

Ethan leaned closer, his forehead resting against hers. "We can't predict the future, but we can promise to communicate. We'll make time for each other. Video calls, texts, visits. We'll be each other's priority.

As the evening wore on and the sun dipped below the horizon, Ethan found himself in his small dorm room, staring at a blank page. The weight of the impending goodbye pressed heavily on his chest. He knew he had to put his feelings into words, to capture everything he felt for Olivia before they parted ways. He grabbed a pen and began to write, his heart pouring out onto the page.

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**Dear Olivia,**

As I sit here, the reality of our upcoming graduation sinks in, and I can't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions. It's hard to believe that eight months have flown by so quickly. When I first walked through those doors, I had no idea that I would meet someone as incredible as you. You brought light into my life in ways I never expected, and I want you to know just how much you mean to me.

From our first conversation, I felt a connection that I've never experienced before. You have this way of seeing the world that is so refreshing, so vibrant. Your laughter is contagious, and your spirit is unyielding. You've taught me to embrace challenges and to look for the beauty in every moment. I've grown in ways I didn't think were possible, and it's all because of you.

I remember our late-night talks, where we shared our dreams, fears, and everything in between. Those moments were sacred to me—an escape from the world where it was just us, the stars, and our hopes for the future. I cherish every second we spent together, from the smallest adventures to the quiet moments of simply being by each other's side. You have been my rock, my confidant, and my greatest supporter.