Nora

Chapter 27: A Bump In the Road

I rush through the mill of people, my heart racing. It's like any sensible thought that I should be having just doesn't want to be thought. I know that this is reckless and idiotic but I don't care. I miss her and I know she misses me and I only have so much time. I am dying. She isn't. But only one of us has really ever lived and now it’s my turn. But I really am going to do it right this time.

I don't know where my parents are. I don't know how they'll react. I don't know what I'll do when I see Nora but that doesn't matter. It just doesn't.

I make my way through security feeling like the waiting might kill me before the cancer does. I try and look calm so as not to arouse suspicion but it’s hard. I'm taking such a risk and I don't want to have time to think too much about it.

I catch the first taxi I can and hurriedly tell the driver the directions. I sit back trying my best to breathe. In and out. In and out. God let this work out, please. Please.

I've been such an idiot. Nora is the only girl I've ever really loved and maybe if I was to live for forty more years we wouldn't work out but I've got a few months and that's long enough for us to have a lifetime love affair together. It doesn't matter how long it lasts just that it happened. I could give up. I could never forgive her for her mistakes but that would be denying us both happiness. 

The cab ride feels like it stretches on forever. I pick at a hole in my jeans until it's three times its original size. 

"You alright there kid?" Asks the cab driver.

"Fine. Just anxious to get to where I'm going." I say trying not to speak too quickly.

Eventually the cab rolls up to the curve of Nora's house and my stomach does a summersault. I'm doing the right thing. I'm doing the right thing. I'm doing the right thing. 

I pay the driver and thank him. He gives me a queer look and wishes me luck.

I take in a deep breath, sucking as much air into my lungs as possible. My phone is off so I won't be able to hear any calls from my parents. I can deal with them later. Explain everything. Hopefully they aren't worrying too much.

I rush up to her front steps and ring her doorbell. 

I'm doing the right thing. I'm doing the right thing. I'm doing the right thing.

I hear someone get up off the couch and turn the TV off. The footsteps are heavy, not Nora's.

Her Dad comes to the door and gives me a startled look. 

"Riley?" He asks looking at me carefully.

"Yeah. Hi. I'm looking for Nora." I say quickly. 

Nora's Dad leans against the door frame and gives me an apologetic look. "She's not here Riley. I'm sorry."

I nod and swallow. Not a big deal I tell myself. "Where is she?"

"I don't know." He says looking tired. "She said she had something to do and left in a hurry. About an hour ago actually."

I swear under my breath and try not to be mad at her. She didn't know I'd run out of the airport and come looking for her after I'd make it clear I didn't want anything to do with her. But still, it would be convenient if she did. 

"Can you ring her for me? I'm not sure if she'll pick up if I ring her." I say.

"I tried about ten minutes ago. It's turned off." He says.

"This is not going how I wanted it to." I say.

"Hey, aren't you meant to be leaving today?" He says suddenly.