So i know I haven't been on a lot recently but here's a short story I had to write for one of my classes, let me know what you guys think!
Oklahoma or New York?
The luggage dropped from my hand. Tears filled my eyes while I took a step back. I knew it was the right thing to do. He’d hate me for it and that’s what hurt the most. He would never understand my decision.
Wiping at my eyes, I turned my back to the flight attendant. She was calling for the last few people to board the plane. I bent down and reached for my luggage. Before I could grab the bags, they were snatched up. Ready to yell, I looked up to see the pair of blue eyes that have been all too familiar to me.
Staring into his eyes, I was pulled back to the day I first left, exactly one year ago.
One Year Before
The entire car ride is silent. No one dares utter a word. The tension in the air is thick. All you can hear is the sound of passing cars and the dim hum of the radio playing in the background. I lean my head against the window of the truck. My head taps against it lightly every time we hit a bump.
I glance to my left to see a small frown present on Cooper’s face and it takes all my control to stop myself from reaching over and giving him a hug. My heart is heavy with sadness, as I know we have to part soon. Over the last few years, he has kept me from leaving this small town but now it is time for me to go.
“You’re just like your brother and your mother,” my dad sighs. His knuckles turn white from gripping the steering wheel too tightly.
“You know I would stay if I had another choice.”
“You still don’t have to leave,” I hear Cooper grumble from beside me.
“Neither of us want her to go but it’s something we just have to deal with,” my dad tells Cooper as he stares in the rear view mirror at him.
“I just have to do it Coop, I wish you would understand.”
“I do Char; I just don’t want you to go.”
“I know,” I sigh and continue staring out the window at the bare fields around us.
The truck slows to a stop behind a group of a dozen people. Silence surrounds us as the engine shuts off. The rusty truck door creaks open and I delicately step onto the sidewalk. My black ballet flats tap against the concrete as I head towards the entrance of the airport. Glancing around, I see the airport sign and immediately suck in a deep breath. Electricity runs through my veins as butterflies fill my stomach. It’s now or never. No turning back.
Light red and white splotches cover my shaking hands as I check in my baggage. The attendant gives me a small smile as she could tell I was nervous. My dad holds his hand on my shoulder while we wait in line. All of three of us looking glum, we head over to security and stand in line. Being at the end of the line, my dad makes his way to the bathroom, giving Cooper and me a few minutes alone to say goodbye.
His blue eyes fill with tears as he gives me a last goodbye. We embrace each other in one last hug, neither of us wanting to let go. My heart feels like it is being ripped in half as his arms drop from around me. A single tear leaks out of my left eye and I scramble to wipe it away. His calloused, strong hands grasp my small, frail ones.
I pull him closer for one more hug, not ready to let go of him. Inhaling, I smell a mixture of hard work and sweat lingering on Cooper. I was going to miss it. The smell of his cologne mixed with sweat and the musty barn. It was comforting, and felt like home.
