Unconditionally

The Missed Goodbye

stella's pov

I watched the airport terminal through a haze of anxiety and regret, the chaos of travelers and announcements blurring into one overwhelming scene. I had rushed here, heart racing, feeling every second slip through my fingers like grains of sand. Arnold was leaving, and I didn't know if I could handle the weight of not being there for him one last time.

I should have left earlier. I should have pushed through the anxiety and just gone. But now, as I stood outside the gate, all I could see was the last boarding call flashing on the screen. My breath caught in my throat, panic coursing through me like a cold wave.

"Stella, are you okay?" Allison's voice pulled me from my thoughts, and I turned to see her worry etched across her face.

"No," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need to see him."

"Let's hurry," Jenli said, already moving toward the gate.

We sprinted through the terminal, my heart pounding louder than the voices around me. With every step, I imagined Arnold waiting for me, his smile brightening the dimness of the airport. But the closer we got, the more I realized that my hopes were slipping away.

As we reached the gate, the doors slid shut, and the boarding sign switched to "Departed." I felt my heart drop. I pushed against the glass, desperation flooding my veins as I watched the plane roll away from the terminal. It was like watching a part of my life fly away, leaving me hollow and breathless.

"No, no, no..." I muttered, shaking my head in disbelief. "He can't be gone."

I turned to see Allison and Jenli exchanging worried glances, their faces mirroring the heartbreak I felt deep inside. I could see Enzo and Jordan at the other end of the terminal, their expressions grim as they realized what had happened.

"What do we do?" I asked, feeling lost and helpless.

"There's nothing we can do," Allison said softly, her hand on my shoulder. "He had to go."

"But I didn't get to say goodbye," I choked out, tears threatening to spill over. "I wanted to be there for him, to tell him how much he means to me."

Jenli stepped forward, wrapping her arms around me tightly. "It's okay to feel this way. We're here for you."

I wanted to believe that, but the truth was a crushing weight in my chest. I had missed my chance, and now Arnold was gone, flying back to a world without me in it.

As I stared at the closed gate, a whirlwind of emotions churned within me—regret, sadness, anger. I felt like I had failed him, like I hadn't been strong enough to push through my fear and tell him how much he mattered.

"Do you think he'll come back?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"I don't know," Allison replied honestly. "But if he loves you like he says he does, he will."

The thought was a small comfort, but it didn't erase the feeling of emptiness that settled in my stomach. I felt like I had lost a piece of myself when the plane took off, leaving me standing there, alone and vulnerable.

We slowly made our way back to the car, the silence heavy between us. I could hear the muffled chatter of other travelers, laughter and excitement, but it all felt so distant. I was caught in a world where nothing made sense anymore.

Once we were outside, the crisp air hit me like a slap, and I shivered. I climbed into the back seat, staring blankly out the window as the scenery passed by in a blur. I wanted to scream, to cry, to let all the pain out. But instead, I felt frozen, trapped in this moment where everything had changed.

"I'm sorry, Stella," Jenli said softly, breaking the silence. "I thought you would make it in time."

I turned to her, my throat tightening. "It's not your fault. I should have pushed myself harder."

I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak without breaking down completely. The car ride felt like it lasted an eternity, each minute stretching on as I battled my emotions. I didn't want to think about Arnold leaving; I wanted to cling to the memories we had made together, to the laughter and love that felt so real. But now, it all felt so distant.

When we finally reached home, I stepped out of the car and walked inside, feeling like I was moving through a dream. The walls felt unfamiliar, the air thick with unspoken words. I needed to talk to Arnold. I needed to hear his voice, to feel connected to him again.

I pulled out my phone, scrolling through our messages, but it was all too painful. I couldn't stand the thought of seeing his name without being able to tell him how much I missed him.

"What are you doing?" Allison asked, peeking over my shoulder.

"I'm just... looking at our texts," I said, my voice cracking.

"Maybe you should call him," she suggested gently.

But I knew it wouldn't be the same. He was thousands of miles away, and I felt so small, so insignificant. It wasn't fair that we had to fight this battle apart.

Finally, after what felt like hours, I decided to send him a message. I miss you, Arnold. I didn't make it in time. My heart raced as I hit send, the screen lighting up with a sense of hope and dread.

"What if he doesn't reply?" I murmured, anxiety creeping in.

"He will," Jenli reassured me. "He cares about you. Just give him time."

I nodded but couldn't shake the feeling of impending loss. I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, and the only thing keeping me from falling was the hope that Arnold would find his way back to me.

Hours passed, and I found myself staring at my phone, waiting for a reply that didn't come. I tried to distract myself, but my mind kept wandering back to him—his laughter, his smile, the way he made me feel so alive.

As night fell, the silence in the house felt suffocating. I curled up on the couch, pulling a blanket around me, trying to find comfort in the soft fabric. But it didn't help. All I could think about was the void left behind by Arnold's absence.

With a heavy heart, I finally closed my eyes, hoping to dream of him. But even in sleep, I could feel the ache in my chest, a reminder that he was gone, and I was left behind.

Somewhere in the depths of my mind, a whisper echoed: This isn't the end. But as I drifted off, I couldn't help but wonder if it was.