The Lifeguard

Chapter 32

Another day, another chance. A chance to live and start fresh. A new chance to choose the right thing; to go on the right path. It is another day to decide what to do and how to live life. A day for a new beginning. An opportunity to start a new story. A story filled with new memories, thoughts and lessons. It is a new day to change.

"Don't I bore you? You've been hanging out with me everyday. You're spending most of your time with my presence. Don't you have better things to do?" I ask Sean. It sounded like a whine, but I'm actually grateful. My days are so much better with him than when I spend the day alone.

"No. Not really," he answered.

"Huh. Nothing is better without me in it, right?" I deadpanned. He confusedly looked at me, probably wondering if I meant it. Sean's expression is set for a moment, before he began laughing. "What's so funny?" I rolled my eyes.

"You. You think very highly of yourself," he continued to laugh.

I kicked his foot under the table. "You lack humor."

"I do not!" he claimed.

I was laughing when my phone began ringing. It was Mom. "I gotta answer this," I say to Sean. I walked few steps away from the table after he nods. I answered the phone and greeted her first. She didn't bother greeting me back, she just went on with what she needed to tell me. My heart began beating rapidly, scared. What I heard made me nervous. I dropped the call and walked back to the table. "We need to go," I tell Sean.

"What is it? What's wrong?" he asked. My tone may have alarmed him.

"I'll tell you in the car. We need to go to Connor." I grabbed my purse, while Sean finally stood up. We headed to his car. I apprised him of what was happening. He was calm before he became more alarmed. He tried to drive fast for being under pressure. He's frightened as much as I am. I couldn't think of anything else than what I must do. Maybe this is the time, I thought. I knew I was right - It is a new day to choose the right thing. A chance to be righteous. I was given a new day to make things right. This time, I can do something to make things better; to do something I was not able to. I'm given an opportunity to choose. And that is to protect Connor. My pride has been set aside, I can't think of that anymore. I need to let go of what's behind me, and start thinking about what's ahead of me.

I rang the door bell repeatedly. I didn't care how many times I pressed the button in a second. All I cared about is for the door to open. It did. Connor opened the door. His eyes opened bigger than usual, probably surprised to see me in his house. "We need to leave right now," I informed Connor. I sounded very pushy, but I didn't mind. I knew my words would disconcert him.

"What?" Connor asked. "What do you mean leave?"

"We have to go. Just grab your keys," I ordered. Connor stood still. "Connor, please!"

"Okay. Okay." Connor went inside to get his keys, while I stayed out with Sean.

Sean approached me. "Do you have to go?" he asked. "Again."

"It's the only thing I could do for now," I tell him. Sean looked downhearted. I knew he was not in favor of this. I took few steps closer to him until there's only a step that's keeping us apart. "You understand, right? I have to make things right, and this is the first step. This is the sacrifice I have to do to make a change." I touched his face with both of my hands. I made him look at me. He had sad eyes, and I was hurt to see them. "I'm not going away forever, Sean."

"It feels that way," he muttered. Sean placed his hands above mine.

"I'm not going across the country. I'll stay in the state, maybe closer than you think. I don't know. The only thing I can promise you is that I will be back. When everything is okay, you can expect me to be with you again," I assured him.

A tear ran down on his face. He squeezed my hands. "How can I protect you if you're not here?"

"You will protect me for letting me go," I ensured. Now, I'm the one crying. My heart is hurting. It suddenly feels like this is a goodbye, even though I don't want it to be. Sean pulled me, wrapping his hands around me. I did the same. I placed my hands around him, shedding more tears. There was no space between us anymore. "I'll be back," I say again. I didn't say it for him to hear, it was for me. I said it to guarantee myself. I heard the door being closed shut, but I didn't allow it to make me let go of Sean. For some reason, I did not want to let go. I wanted to stay there in his arms. I kept my position a little bit longer. I knew this would be the last time I would feel fully protected. I let go, wiping my tears. "We'll talk on the phone, okay?"

Sean nodded. "Take care of yourself."

I managed to smile. "This is not a goodbye." I tiptoed, kissing him on the cheek. I turned my back and began walking away from him. I didn't want to look back. I knew if I do, I wouldn't be able to go. This is more painful than when I went back home. I knew I could come back then, but will I still be able to come back?

Connor started his truck, and drove. I didn't say a word. I just cried, and cried. Connor didn't know where we're going, but he just drove. A while after, I was able to calm myself. I stopped crying, but I was still in pain emotionally. "Keep driving away from here," I tell him.

He parked the car on the side. "What's going on, Zoe? Why were you saying your goodbye to Sean?" he asked. He was careful with his tone.

"I wasn't," I answered.

"I'm not driving until you tell me what's going on. You're scaring me."

"Maybe, you should be!" I raised my voice without any intentions to. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you," I apologized.

"Just tell me what's going on."

I cleared my throat. "You're in danger, Connor. He knows. And you're next."