there goes my heart - j.s

chapter twenty four

[approximately 1 month later]

—

My luggage is definitely much heavier than it was on the way to Australia. Now it's full of added clothes and presents for friends and family. Joe helps me with my suitcase as I heave my backpack along with me across the busy airport. I stay close to him, not wanting to get swept away by the swarm of people. There's no room or time now to listen to parts of conversations or ponder about life, right now we've got to make it out.
We weave through couples and families, clutching brightly coloured suitcases or balloons. I can't help but notice the friends or families reuniting with hugs and kisses and overgrown smiles. I remember how it felt to see Joe again after so long and wonder how long these people have been apart.

Eventually the main doors come into sight. Zoe should be somewhere waiting for us with her car. As we step outside the air is sharp and cold, a harsh contrast to the utter warmth Australia displayed. It's refreshing but bracing. I shiver but quickly don't notice the cold at all, as I spot a small Zoe shaped figure waiting by a car in the pick-up zone.
I let out a small squeal and pick up my pace, practically running into her arms.

"Zoe, oh my God, it's so good to see you," I say, my voice muffled in our hug.

She wraps her arms around me and squeezes me firmly. "I've missed you!"

"Oi, don't I get a hug too?" Joe smiles cheekily as me and Zoe break apart.

I laugh as Zoe hugs her brother, standing slightly on tiptoes. "How are you both?" She asks as she helps me with my suitcase, taking it from Joe and bringing it round to the boot. We follow and put our luggage inside her car one by one.

"Good," we sat at the same time, then laugh. "We're really good." I say, unable to stop my smile.

"Well then, let's get you two lovebirds home and warm, shall we," Zoe climbs into the drivers seat and I clamber into the passengers, Joe getting into the back.
Her car is warm and still smells the same as it did before. It's familiar and another reminder that I'm home again.

—

Joe and I part ways to unpack at our own flats, and I'm pleasantly surprised that I don't get a sinking feeling at the sight of him leaving. Maybe it's because I know he will be back, and soon we'll be living together properly.
Zoe helps me with my luggage and organising it throughout my house. We work methodically and eventually get things done. We chat the whole time, and I tell her everything about Australia and how I'm feeling better and how we are going to move in together. She is genuinely happy for me and that makes me even happier.

"I need to properly thank you, you know," I say, as we collapse into the couch, the sun setting outside and casting warm rays into the room.

"For what?" Zoe tucks herself up and crosses her arms on top of her knees.

"For pushing me to go to Joe, to go to Australia, for showing me so much support and for ultimately being the reason why I started feeling better and why I realised I deserved to feel better."

She smiles, lips pressed together, eyes soft and loving, "I just knew you needed a little nudge in the right direction to get you going."

"And you were right. But I know it won't always seem so easy and happy, so I have to take care of myself right? Like, I gotta go to therapy properly this time, and get back to work, and not let myself go."

Zoe nods, "yes exactly, that's exactly right."

I nibble at my lip and look out the window, the sky is turning amber, each cloud a mixture of pink and orange and white. I know what I have to do to get better and I have to actually do it. It's up to me now, no more excuses, no more shifting the blame, I have to get better.
I have to win the war.

—

[Haiiiiii, sorry I haven't updated in foreverrrrr. Anyways I hope you like this chapter.
Are you happy that they're home?

I hope you like it.]

ok so i rewrote this chapter again, cause yet agAiN it was originally shite. this is still not v good but definitely an improvement.

also this fic will end soon-ish, cause there isn't much more to happen really.

–"taylor" :~)

[my eyes hurt from reading shit]