marked.

Keep Driving

A favor was done for Jayson. Surprisingly, Jayson had made the decision that he was going to leave sooner than ever expected. Marco asked me if I could drive him And Jayson to the airport to see him off on his departure. To be completely and utterly honest, I was more than skeptical about making this trip. But of course, I gave in and did the favor.

"It's best that I leave before I cause anymore trouble," Jayson says as Marco limps out of my truck. Just as he hops out and closes the door, Jayson quickly looked over at me. He was sitting in the front, for Marco needed space to lift his still-broken leg up. I refused to make any eye contact with him, but he still spoke. "I want to let you know that I'm sorry. The ways things were... The way it happened... I didn't want it to go there." Even though my eyes are glued to the windshield wipers just a foot away from me, I could tell his expression faltered into a sad, almost puppy-dog like face. I said nothing, and quickly unlocked the car doors and got out.

Jayson hopped out of the front seat and ran towards the back of my truck to grab his suitcase. Marco just stood there, waiting for him to drag it out of the car so can push the top cover down once more. After about a minute of fumbling for belongings, Jayson was ready to go. Him and Marco took five minutes just to stare at one another, completely lifeless. Awkwardly, I dragged my finger over my half-way done inked sleeve on my tricep, letting my fingers leave its essence on my skin. But after a long, sad moment, Marco took out his hand.

"I want you to be careful," he says while shaking Jay's hand firmly.

He only nodded.

Before finally walking away to check in, Jayson's head turned towards me. It caught me off guard, honestly. I wasn't sure why he was looking towards me, so my silenced carried.

"I wish it could have been different."

I look at him and nod. That was my honest opinion; it should have been different, seeing a long-lost friend... But it didn't work out that way.

"I want you to I'm sorry."

I keep staring. But I'm not sure what forgiveness means...

After about thirty seconds, he takes a breath and begins preparing himself to leave. "Goodbye, Daniella."

I take a small step back. "Have a nice trip."

***

Marco managed to give his cousin a hug before the official send-off was made. While this was going on, I watched from the car, preparing myself for the upcoming drive. Once he was out of sight, Marco limped toward the truck and practically threw himself into the front seat. He looked at me with eyes filled with confusion, sadness, and full-on thought.

I only sighed and started driving.

Keep driving Daniella.

Keep driving.