Corbyn Besson
➵
Though I'm aware of the voices of Jack, Daniel, Zach, and Jonah in the back of the moving car, I'm not listening to them. In this moment, all I can think about is the hand I'm holding and the shoulder I'm leaning against.
Four months isn't that long.
Corbyn rests his chin on top of my head and sighs in an obviously sad manner. I suppress doing the same.
***
Zach, Jonah, and Jack have already said goodbye to me and walked through the boarding tunnel that will carry them to the airplane.
Daniel shoots me a sad glance, says goodbye, and gives me a quick hug before picking up his carry on and glancing worriedly at his watch.
"Hurry, Corbyn," is all he has to say to remind my boyfriend that saying goodbye can't be too lengthy or he'll miss the flight.
Daniel's gone. Corbyn and I remain.
I can't look at him for several moments. He reaches for my hand and holds it in his.
Stop this. You must be happy for him. This is his career, his dream. You must support him. Do not make this harder than it has to be. No crying.
Composing myself, I look up and stare straight into Corbyn's eyes and smile.
He smiles back. Weakly, yes, but he smiles all the same.
"Four months," I say simply.
He closes his eyes and hugs me.
"Four months," he echoes.
I squeeze him around the middle tightly before pulling away.
"Shouldn't make this harder than it needs to be. You have go. Already late, go, go!"
He swoops down to my height, kisses my cheek, and then moves toward the gate quickly. He stops in the entryway and turns.
"Goodbye, (y/n/n)."
Cliché as it is, I don't want to say goodbye.
"See you soon," is all I can muster as a response.
Corbyn stands very still. I watch at a distance as the conflict I've seen haunting him for weeks resumes its raging in his eyes. He doesn't want to leave me behind just as much as I don't want to see him go.
"I love you," he mouths to me.
"I love you," I whisper back.
And just like that, he's gone.
