Moving On (A Sidemen Fanfiction)

XXIX

*Simon's POV*

     "Ready?" Mackenzie asked me, smiling. The limo we were in came to a stop as I forced a smile. "Kind of have to be." I said as my door opened. I got out slowly, cameras beginning to flash immediately. I took just a moment to take it in and then turned back to the limo, reaching my hand in and grabbing Mackenzie's, helping her out. Once we had locked arms and were walking, my nerves subsided. Having her beside me made me relax a lot. "Mackenzie!" Someone called beside us and Mackenzie looked over, beginning to walk that way. "Now, it begins." She whispered and laughed quietly as we stood in front of a camera and a girl with a microphone. "Mackenzie, you look beautiful tonight. Don't you agree, Simon is it?" She shoved a microphone in my face and I smiled. I wanted to question how she knew my name but decided against it. She probably found me on Twitter or something. "She always looks beautiful." I shrugged. "Cringe." Mackenzie whispered again, making me smile down at her. "You two are already my couple goals..." The girl's voice seemed to slowly fade away as I locked eyes with someone I never thought I'd see again. I tried to remind myself that I was being filmed and so I needed to at least act like I was paying attention, so I forced my eyes away from her and back to the people around me. But I couldn't seem to hear what they were saying because my heart was pounding in my ears. Eventually Mackenzie dragged me away from them and looked at me with a worried expression. "Are you alright? You look sick." She asked. "I - uh - I'm okay." I said. And when I said it I realized that it was the truth. I had seen her and I hadn't even broken down in tears or wanted to fling myself into her arms. I just felt numb. And even now, as she walked towards me and Mackenzie I didn't do anything besides stare at her. "Simon." She said once she was in front of us. "Ava." I breathed out. The figured the first time I would say her name after she left would cause me to want to die, right there on the spot. But again, I felt nothing. No anger, sadness, longing. Nothing. It seemed those months of crying over her were so far behind me now that I actually thought about it. I remembered when Mackenzie told me that missing her was a part of moving on from her and how I thought it wasn't true. But now I realized it was. And I found myself smiling. Smiling at the girl who once made me forget how to. "It's nice to see you again." She said casually. In reality, it was very nice to see her again. Even when months ago I thought that seeing her would be the death of me. "You too." I said. "How are you? How's the guys?" It seemed pretty rich that she was asking me how I was after just abandoning me. "I'm great, actually. The guys are good." I tightened my grip on Mackenzie's hand and hoped she realized that I was great because of her. "That's good to hear, really." She said, avoiding my eyes. "How are you?" I asked. Although she had caused me so much pain, I hoped she wasn't in pain herself. I still loved her, I still cared for her. Just not in the way that made me want to be with her. "Honestly, not too good. But I'm getting there." She smiled. I took a moment to take in her smile and wondered how I used to think that if I never saw that smile again I would die. "Who's this?" She asked, pointing at Mackenzie. The girl who had made all these feelings I was feeling right now possible for me. The girl who made me happy again. "This is my girlfriend, Mackenzie." I said. She smiled at her, sticking her hand out for her to shake. "I'm Ava, an old friend of Simon's." They shook hands and I watched as Mackenzie smiled too, at her and at me. Surely she knew that this was the girl who had made us meeting possible. "We should probably get going." I spoke up, making them both look at me. "Yeah I should probably leave, too. It was nice seeing you." Ava spoke quickly, giving me a weak smile before rushing off. I tried to ignore the fact that she was close to tears when she walked away as I turned to Mackenzie. "Was that her?" She asked. I nodded slowly and she smiled. "I'm proud of you, Simon." "I love you." I said. It was the first time I had said the words ever since Ava and I broke up, and it felt so fucking good to be able to say it without thinking that I was lying, without worrying myself half to death. And my heart melted when Mackenzie said the words back. I had moved on - I was sure of it. And I couldn't be happier.

A/N
This is the final chapter of this book. I hope you all have enjoyed it.

Until next time, see ya! x