The airport was a symphony of chaos—announcements crackling over the intercom, luggage wheels clattering against the floor, and muffled chatter filling every corner. Yet, amidst the bustling crowd, Raya felt utterly alone. Each step she took toward the departure gate felt like a nail driving deeper into her heart.
Her parents walked ahead, their movements brisk and purposeful, but she lagged behind, clutching the strap of her backpack so tightly her knuckles turned white. She had dreamt of this day—the day she’d finally step out of her small world and into the sprawling promise of New York. But as reality set in, the dream felt more like a curse.
“Raya, hurry up!” her mother called, glancing over her shoulder with a mixture of impatience and concern.
Raya nodded silently and quickened her pace, though her heart screamed at her to stop.
On the other side ,Jake was driving like a madman. His heart pounded in sync with the rhythmic thump of the tires on the asphalt. She’s leaving. He got a call from lili and those words echoed in his head, louder with each passing second. She is leaving He couldn’t let it end like this.
When he reached the airport, he abandoned his bike in the parking lot and sprinted inside. His lungs burned, his legs ached, but none of it mattered. He just needed to see her—one last time.
“Passengers for Flight AI 203 to New York, please proceed to Gate 7 for boarding.”
The announcement rang out, making Raya’s chest tighten. She glanced at her parents, who were busy checking in their luggage, and then at the gate ahead. This was it—the final step toward her future.
But a voice cut through the noise, freezing her in place.
“Raya!”
Her breath caught. She turned, her eyes widening as she saw Jake weaving through the crowd. His hair was disheveled, and his shirt clung to him from the sweat of his frantic run. He looked like a man on the verge of collapse, but his eyes were locked on her with a desperation that broke her heart all over again.
“You’re really leaving?” he asked, his voice hoarse as he stopped in front of her.
“Jake...” she whispered, unable to form the words she had rehearsed for this very moment.
“You weren’t even going to say goodbye?” His voice cracked, and he stepped closer, his hands trembling at his sides. “After everything, you were just going to disappear?”
Raya swallowed hard, tears welling up in her eyes. “I... I couldn’t, Jake. If I saw you, I wouldn’t be able to go.”
“Then don’t,” he pleaded, his voice breaking. “Stay. We’ll figure it out together. You don’t have to do this alone.”
She shook her head, the tears spilling over. “I have to. This is my dream, Jake. I’ve worked so hard for this.”
“What about us?” His question hung in the air, heavy with pain and unspoken promises.
Raya looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “There is no us, Jake. Not anymore.”
“That’s not true,” he said, his voice rising. “You know that’s not true. I love you, Raya. I’ve always loved you.”
Her resolve crumbled at his words, but she forced herself to stay strong. “Jake, please don’t do this. Don’t make it harder than it already is.”
His hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white. “You’re just going to walk away? After everything we’ve been through?”
“Yes,” she said, her voice barely audible. “I have to.”
“Raya, it’s time to go,” her mother called, her tone firm but understanding.
Raya turned to Jake one last time, her heart breaking at the sight of his tear-streaked face. “Goodbye, Jake.”
As she walked away, her legs felt like lead. She heard him call out, “I’ll wait for you! No matter how long it takes, I’ll wait!”
She didn’t turn around. She couldn’t.
The flight was uneventful, but Raya’s mind was a whirlwind. She stared out the window at the endless expanse of clouds, her heart aching with every passing mile that took her farther from him. She had made the right decision—hadn’t she?
Back in the city, Jake was a mess. He sat on the steps outside the terminal, his head in his hands, as the realization of her departure sank in. She was gone. The girl he had loved for as long as he could remember was gone.
“Jake,” a voice called softly.
He looked up to see his mother standing a few feet away. She must have come to the airport when he hadn’t returned home. Her face was etched with concern as she sat down beside him.
“She’s chasing her dreams,” she said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“And what about me?” he whispered, his voice filled with bitterness. “I was her dream once.”
His mother sighed. “Sometimes, love means letting go, Jake. If it’s meant to be, she’ll find her way back to you.”
He shook his head, tears streaming down his face. “But what if she doesn’t?”
His mother didn’t have an answer.
Raya’s first night in New York was a blur. Her parents helped her settle into her apartment before leaving her to unpack. The silence was deafening, and the weight of her decision pressed down on her like a heavy blanket.
She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone. Jake’s name flashed on the screen—he was calling again. She turned it off and tossed it aside, tears spilling down her cheeks.
“This is what you wanted,” she whispered to herself. “This is what you worked for.”
But the words felt hollow.
YOU ARE READING
Chasing Tomorrow
Fanfiction"Raya, why dream so big? Do you think anyone will really notice you?" Raya glanced at her BTS poster, a quiet determination in her eyes. "It's not about being noticed. It's about proving to myself that I'm capable. They may be stars, but they're als...
