I was trying my hardest to stay strong. It wasn't working. I sat in the passenger seat to the airport in Cole's car, clutching the seat belt for dear life. Everyone else was in the van, since Cole wanted some time alone before he left. When he found a parking spot, he killed the engine, but he kept staring at the wheel. Neither of us said anything for a while, so I finally broke the silence. I'm an idiot. "I'm going to miss you so much, Cole..."
"Don't." His word caused me to snap my head up, and I shakily turned to face him. "Don't miss me...Don't worry yourself when I'm gone. I..Forget about me, Charlie. Live your life. Enjoy your tour. Sell lots of albums. Get your fans. You don't need me for that. Just..Forget about me. It'll be easier this way." His words wouldn't process in my mind. What was he saying?
"Cole..What are you trying to say...?" My voice was tight, like someone was cutting off all of my air. "Cole...I..I love you. Please believe that. Take it back. Take it all back. I love you." I was starting to get frantic, but his hand over mine calmed me down a little bit.
"Charlie, don't do this to yourself. I...We can't do this. I'll be gone for a full year, maybe even longer. Who knows? We can't do this. I..I'm breaking up with you." To emphasise he point, he pulled the necklace I'd given him away from his throat, resting it in my hands. I just stared at it, disbelieving.
What had I done wrong? Was it because I'd waited so long to say it? I shook my head furiously, repeating "no", over and over. He didn't back down. "Just stop it, Charlie. You're a grown woman. You're 23 years old, not some 16 year old. Grow up and move on." It felt like I'd just gotten slapped in the face. What had just been sorrow, was replaced with anger. With an angry sob, I yanked the car door open, storming out, before I stopped.
"Keep the stupid necklace." I shouted at him before I chucked the necklace into the car at him, before promptly running off to find the others. It didn't take long, and I didn't hesitate. I ran straight to Dalton, clinging to him for dear life. "He broke up with me." I sobbed into his ear, and I could feel Dalton tense. "Don't hurt him. Please. For me. Just...Don't give up on me, too." He rubbed small circles on my back, and nuzzled my hair.
"Never." He replied before he kissed the top of my head. "I'll text you every day. Skype when I can. You're my best friend, and I'll never forget you." I couldn't help but smile as Dalton washed all of my fears away. At least I still had him. Of course, it hurt. It hurt so. Fucking. Bad. It felt like my heart was being torn out of my chest, and I would never get it back in again. Suddenly, Dalton tensed again, and I knew what that meant. I just held on for a little bit tighter, before Will pried me away.
"Keep in touch." He whispered to me, and I couldn't help but smile. Even though we didn't really talk or hang out all that much, Will had always been there for me in those tough times, and I couldn't have asked for a greater friend. Gabe and Dana hugged me at the same time, then there was Cole. He hugged Kylie and Clover, and started to make his way towards me, but stopped. Our eyes locked for a brief second, before he just turned and walked to the gate. My heart was on the ground under his foot, there was no way to fix this.
When they made it through the line, the boys turned around to wave, all but Cole. I tried to lift my arm to wave back, but I broke. I crumpled, right there on the airport floor, and I sobbed out all of my confusion, anger, frustration, and pain. I sobbed for my loss, I sobbed for my heart. Clover and Kylie were at my side in an instant, and they helped me walk to the van.
By the time we got home, my sobs had stopped. I hadn't said a word, had barely moved in the van. I was on autopilot. I hardly even saw my band waiting in my living room. I walked straight past them, feeling hollow inside as I climbed the stairs to get to my room. As soon as I shut the door, I lost it again. I screamed in sorrow, and rage. I clawed at the bracelet on my wrist until it came off, and I flung it across the room, not watching to see where it landed.
Once again, I collapsed on my floor, forehead to the carpet.
"What did I do wrong...?"
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And there you have it, folks. This is the end. Thank you guys for stick with me through this whole thing! I'm so proud of this! Even though it got a little iffy at the end. I hope you all are excited for the sequel!
<3 Charlie <3
