Loving Leighton ✔

10 | the final chapter

CADE OPENED HIS EYES FOR A MOMENT. He must have fallen asleep next to Leighton. It was around three in the morning, and he woke up to a soft hand on his cheek. The sun was not up, and the only thing providing light in the room was a small lamp that was left on the night before. His vision was blurry, but he could make out the figure of Leighton. Her face was a few inches away from his, and her warm hand was still resting on his cheek. "I love you." she whispered, and right before he fell asleep, he felt her lips on his forehead. "Thank you for everything."

At 9 a.m., he finally woke up without falling back asleep again, then frowned to find the other side of the bed empty. The sheets were made up on the empty side. The pillow was fluffed back, and everything looked untouched. If he didn't know any better, he would think that no one stayed the night. But he did know better, and he knew that Leighton was there. He knew she was there, but she wasn't anymore. His thumping heart calmed down for a moment, knowing that room was not the only room in the house and that she could be in any other room.

He was making his way downstairs when the aroma of newly cooked food filled his nose. He smiled to himself. Leighton can really be sweet if she wanted to. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, he made sure that she wouldn't see him. He wanted to jumpscare her, but he frowned when he didn't hear the clanking of any utensils.

He stepped into the kitchen to check on her, aborting his former plan, but he was surprised at what he saw. The dining table was filled with his favorite food, but Leighton was not there.

His heart thumped more and more each growing second, and he started getting nervous. He ran back upstairs, only to feel like a bucket of cold water was poured on him when the house was empty of any people, other than himself of course. He rushed to the door, grabbing his coat and the keys to his parents' car on the way.

And then, off he went to find her.

At 11 a.m., he knew had been driving for at least two hours while trying to call her. She didn't answer. It was still before lunch, sure, but he wasn't too certain that she'd be back before dark. He was seated on the edge of his bed, staring at the bare wall, thinking to himself. Where has she gone? Did I do anything to scare her away?

He had been pestering himself with questions, the most crucial one being 'did I do anything wrong?'. He couldn't remember her getting upset with him the night before. He also vaguely remembered her thanking him earlier in the morning. His eyes widened. Could it be that what she said was her way of saying goodbye? He swallowed hard, not wanting to think about it.

But deep down, he knew that more or less, it was true. He tried finding anything, anything that could lead him to her. Surely, she wouldn't have left him that way, would she? He needed her. He always has, and now she's disappeared. He also knew that she couldn't leave the country, nor take a flight to a different state. Rain was pouring heavily, resulting to cancelling any flights. She could take a bus, but he already asked the lady selling tickets earlier if she had seen a girl who matched Cade's description of Leighton. She said no.

He was losing hope. He truly was. He wanted to feel angry, but all he felt was shock. Why did she have to leave him like this? She knows what it feels like to be left behind all of a sudden by someone you love, and she still did it. He could not understand.

And then, he found the notification he had overlooked earlier. It was a voicemail, timed to three a.m. He opened it.

"Hello, Cade. It's me, Leighton, though you probably know that by now. I...just wanted to say I'm sorry. I'm not sorry for leaving because I know it's the better option for the both of us, but I'm sorry for leaving without letting you know. I'm sorry that all I left you was a handful of sad memories and stupid, a fucking stupid voicemail." she took a sharp breath.

"You deserve so much more, Cade. And I thought that you would have realized that by now. I know...I know that you've loved me for so long, and I'm sorry that I couldn't show you that I did, too. I guess I was too blind to see that. But I'm not sorry for leaving. I'm not sorry for not telling anyone where I would go, or what I would do. I'm not sorry for wanting you to not find me. I'm not sorry for any of those, Cade, because although I did that partly for myself, you should know that I also did what I did in hopes that you would find someone better. I could not thank you enough for everything, Cade.

Maybe one day we'd meet again, if fate decides that for us. Maybe we'd meet again someday in a coffee shop, and I'd catch your eye the same way you'd catch mine. Maybe one day we'd have the type of love where we'd be who we are, flaws and whatnot, yet still be perfect enough. Someday, Cade...when we're both better. When I'm better. Until then, go be who you've always wanted to be, chase your dreams, and fight for what you believe in. You are a star, Cade. You were my star, and maybe now it's time for you to shine for others."

So at 1 a.m., he stared blankly in the dark after listening to her voicemail over and over again, his heart feeling empty.

Then the screen turned black.