Falling Between the Notes (Nicholas Galitzine Fanfic)

Chapter 14: Goodbyes

The past week had gone by too quickly. Nick and I had spent every free moment together, knowing this day was coming. I had tried to keep myself from thinking about it, to pretend that three months wasn't that long, but now that we were here, standing in the middle of the airport, I couldn't help the heaviness in my chest.

I glanced at him as we walked toward the security gate, his hand holding mine, squeezing it a little tighter with each step. The bustling sounds of travelers, families, and airport announcements felt distant, like everything around us was a blur. All I could focus on was him and the thought of saying goodbye.

Nick's eyes locked on mine, his warm brown gaze searching for something in my face as we stood by the gate at the airport. The terminal was buzzing with the usual hum of people rushing to their flights, the announcements of departures and arrivals blending into the background. But for us, it felt like the world had gone silent.

"I'll be back before you know it," he said softly, his hand gripping mine as if he didn't want to let go.

I forced a smile, trying to ignore the tightness in my chest. "Three months isn't that long, right?"

He chuckled, but I could see the sadness in his eyes. "Right. Just a blink." His voice was low, that familiar British accent giving his words a soft edge, but I knew it was hard for him too. We had been spending almost every moment together, and now, it was going to be radio silence on my end.

Nick pulled me into a hug, and I buried my face in his chest, inhaling the scent of his cologne—woodsy, warm, comforting. I didn't want to cry. I knew this was huge for him, this movie role, and I was so damn proud of him. But still, the thought of not having him by my side for the next three months made my heart ache.

"You'll call me when you land?" I whispered, my arms wrapped tightly around his waist, not ready to let him go.

He kissed the top of my head, his breath warm against my hair. "Of course, love. I'll text you before I even get off the plane."

I laughed softly, pulling back to look up at him. His brown eyes searched mine again, and for a moment, we just stood there, lost in each other's gaze.

"I'll miss you," I whispered, my voice breaking just a little.

Nick leaned down, brushing his lips against mine in a soft, lingering kiss. "I'll miss you too. But we'll make it work, Jade. We always do."

I nodded, biting my lip to keep the tears from spilling over. "Yeah. We will."

The final boarding call echoed through the terminal, and Nick sighed, giving me one last squeeze. "I have to go."

I nodded again, not trusting my voice as I watched him pick up his bag and sling it over his shoulder. He took one step away, then turned back, his brown eyes filled with warmth. "I love you."

It was the first time he'd said it. My breath caught in my throat, and I stared at him, the words hanging in the air between us.

"I love you too," I whispered back, my heart pounding in my chest.

Nick smiled, that boyish grin that made me weak in the knees, and then he was gone, disappearing into the crowd of travelers heading toward the gate. I stood there for a moment, my mind still reeling from what had just happened. I loved him. And he loved me. The weight of it settled in my chest, bittersweet and beautiful.

I walked out of the airport feeling both lighter and heavier at the same time. My phone buzzed in my bag, and I quickly pulled it out, half-expecting it to be Nick already texting me. But instead, it was Harry's name that flashed on the screen.

"Hey, Harry!" I answered, trying to sound upbeat, even though my emotions were still all over the place.

"Hey love, how you doin'?" His voice was soft, his thick British accent coming through as it always did, wrapping me in a sense of familiarity and comfort.

I chuckled lightly, the sound a bit forced as I pushed through the sadness. "Not much. What's up?" I asked, curious about why he was calling. Harry rarely called me; he was more of a text guy.

"Well," he began, a hint of excitement in his tone, "I wanted to call you and be the first to tell you that we are going on tour together!"

My eyes widened at his words. Tour? Together?

"Wait, what?" I blinked, stopping dead in my tracks as I reached my car. "Tour together?"

Harry's voice bubbled with excitement. "Yes! I just got the call from my team, and they've confirmed it. The fans are loving the album, and they think it would be amazing for both our careers if we went on tour together. It'll  be five months long."

I leaned against the car, trying to process what he was saying. Tour. With Harry. For five months. This was huge.

"That's... that's incredible," I stammered, still trying to wrap my mind around it. "But five months? Where? When?"

"Starting in about three weeks," Harry said. "It's all over Europe, North America, and then a few dates in Asia. Jade, it's going to be massive."

My mind raced as I tried to take it all in. Touring the world with Harry, singing our album together, performing in front of thousands of fans every night. It was everything I had ever dreamed of as an artist. But... Nick. He was going to be in Paris for the next three months, and now I would be on tour for five.

Would this be the thing that broke us? And, how would he even react when he finds out I'll be touring around the world with a guy he is so weary about? Nick is going to hate this idea...

"I don't know what to say," I breathed, a mix of excitement and uncertainty swirling inside me.

Harry's laugh was light, as if he could sense my hesitation. "Say you're excited! This is going to be insane. The two of us on stage, night after night. I mean, come on, love—it's going to be epic."

I smiled, despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. "You're right. It is going to be epic."

We chatted for a few more minutes about the logistics and the tour schedule, Harry's excitement infectious. But as I hung up the phone and climbed into the backseat of my black Lincoln SUV, driven by Toni as always, a knot of unease settled in my stomach.

Nick and I had just said goodbye, and now I was about to go on a five-month tour. I didn't know how we were going to handle being apart for so long. We had made it through so much already, but this... this was a whole new level.

As the SUV sped down the highway toward my house, I stared out the window, watching the city blur by. I was excited, yes, but there was something else lurking beneath the surface. Fear. What if this tour changed everything? What if the distance between us was too much?

I leaned my head back against the seat, closing my eyes, trying to push the thoughts away. One thing at a time, Jade. One thing at a time.

For now, I had to focus on the tour. Everything else... I'd figure it out as it came.