Running from the life that was.

Chapter Sixteen

The day of Mia's therapy appointment arrived, and she had tried to ignore the looming date for the past few days, but that proved impossible. Maya and Carina had noticed her change in mood and were doing their best to support her in subtle ways, cooking her favorite meals, taking her out for ice cream, and keeping her distracted. Mia appreciated these gestures, finding solace in the moments they shared, even if she was aware of their intent.

She was still constantly messaging Tate, and they saw each other on the bus at least three times a week. Occasionally, they ran into each other at school, but those encounters were usually quick hellos between classes. Each interaction with him left her feeling giddy and more connected.

Now, waiting outside the school grounds for Carina, Mia's palms were already sweating from anxiety about what the appointment would bring. She felt exhausted from a lack of sleep and just wanted to go home, but there was no way that was going to happen. Finally, Carina's Porsche pulled up beside her.

"Hi, bella! Sorry I'm a bit late. An appointment went overtime; I'm trying to sort out all this funding stuff," Carina said apologetically.

"Hi, It's okay," Mia replied softly, sensing that this would be a quiet drive due to the nerves swirling in her stomach.

"How are you feeling about today?" Carina asked gently.

"Hmm," Mia replied, glancing out the window, not quite ready to delve into her feelings.

"It's okay to feel nervous," Carina reassured her.

Mia nodded, appreciating Carina's understanding. She continued looking out of the window, signaling that she didn't want to talk more. Although, she was glad to have Carina there; they were right when they said she wouldn't want to go there alone. Still, she wished Maya could be with her too, and regretted telling them she just wanted Carina, but it was too late for that now.

During the drive, Mia's phone started dinging in her bag. She bent down to pull it out and saw two messages.

"Good luck at your appointment, Mia. I'll see you at dinner!" the first message from Maya read.

"Hope today goes okay! Try not to be nervous, but if you do, just take yourself to the beach," Tate's message said. The words made Mia smile, recalling their earlier conversation about beaches and how they provided a sense of calm. It was a comforting thought, especially as she was already feeling overly anxious.

Feeling safe with Tate, she found herself confiding in him about starting therapy. He listened without judgment, his eyes focused intently on her as she shared her feelings. When she expressed her nerves, he opened up a bit, mentioning that he sometimes felt he might need therapy himself, although he didn't go into details. This vulnerability from him only deepened their connection, and Mia felt a warmth spread through her as she continued to share more of her thoughts and feelings.

Tate had then described how, whenever he was nervous, he imagined lying on a beach, somewhere far away, maybe in Hawaii, where everything was warm, safe, and happy. Mia listened, captivated by the peaceful imagery he painted. She couldn't help but wonder why, despite his easy-going demeanor, there was always a subtle hint of sadness behind his eyes. The way he spoke sometimes felt cryptic, like he was holding back pieces of himself.

If he didn't start sharing more about his life soon, Mia felt she would have to ask him directly. Yet, the fear of pushing him away held her back. She didn't want to ruin the bond they were building, especially since he treated her with such kindness and respect. He didn't look at her like she was fragile or weak; instead, he regarded her the same way he always did, as someone capable and strong. That made her heart swell even more, and she felt herself falling for him deeper than before.