Spilled Coffee

Our Separate Ways

Chapter Twenty Six - Our Separate Ways

It was the next day and all my goodbyes were wrapped up and I was currently in the car with Johnson going through the regular LA traffic to get to LAX.

"What's the first thing you're going to do when you get there?" Johnson asked, breaking the silence that floated through the car.

"Haven't thought about it. Probably unpack, visit my new work area, and schedule a tour of the school." I shrugged.

"Remember that one time we chose the same hiding place." Johnson smiled.

"I had no idea how you found that place before me." I laughed.

"What can I say... I have a certain skill." Johnson smiled and shrugged.

"I bet you just followed me and while I was taking out the towels, you snuck in." I joked and Johnson just smiled sheepishly at me. "Oh my god. You wanted to steal my hiding spot." I gasped and turned towards him.

"Maybe." Johnson mumbled.

"Cheater!" I yelled and whacked his arm.

"Hey! No hitting the driver!" Johnson laughed.

"But you cheated! I would've never been caught if you didn't scare me!" I said and whacked him again.

"I'm driving. We could run into a car if you whack me again and I accidentally swerve into another lane." Johnson chuckled.

"I'm disappointed." I shook my head.

"Can't take it back now. It's already happened." Johnson laughed.

The rest of the ride, we made jokes about that day and just memorized what we had done that day.

We had eventually parked in the LAX parking lot. We both got out and became dead quiet. I grabbed one of my suitcases and he grabbed the other. I put my satchel over my shoulder and then walked with Johnson into the airport.

It wasn't awkward. It was more like we were scared. We were scared of leaving each other. After all we've been through, I couldn't believe that we were finally separating. It felt so short yet so long. The time that we spent together felt like something I had been missing my entire life.

We walked to my gate and stood in front of airport security.

"This is it." Johnson sighed.

"Yeah." I sighed too.

"Can I tell you something?" Jack suddenly said.

"What?" I questioned.

"I've enjoyed every moment I've spent with you. This isn't a goodbye. I know it isn't. We'll keep in touch. I lo—" Jack began to say but I cut him off.

"Don't. If you say it, then I won't go and this is something I need to do. For myself." I sighed.

I let go of my suitcase and wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss.

Once we pulled away, we leaned our foreheads against each other.

"What was that for?" Jack asked.

"That's a see you soon kiss. Because I will see you soon." I smiled softly.

I kissed him once more and then took both my bags from him. Instead of looking back, I just continued to walk forward until he could no longer see me.

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(Bonus: Third Person POV)

He watched as she was no longer visible. He knew she was someone he would never forget.

He loved her. He realized a little too late.

But he'd see her again. She said it herself. He'll wait for her. No matter what.

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As I was sitting comfortably on the plane with my laptop in front of me, I decided to scroll through my photos.

I looked at one of the group photos from the day at the cabin.

I don't know if I ever read anyone my personal statement essay out loud but here it is now.

Dear Dean of Administrations,

I originally planned to make this personal statement about well the basics: my life but school wise with a tiny bit of my personal love life. I decided that was too boring so here I am, staying in a beautiful cabin  with my best friend, Alyssa Taylor; her almost boyfriend (she just doesn't want to admit it) , Jack Gilinsky ; his best friend (someone I've grown quite close to) Jack Johnson; and lastly, my boyfriend, Grant Thompson. I'm going to be honest, we're an odd bunch of people. Seriously, we have such different attitudes or personalities and we occasionally clash with each other but it doesn't matter because deep down we know that we'll always be there for each other no matter what. How do I know this? Well, this guy who I've grown quite fond with over the last couple weeks, we've been hanging out. A lot. I don't mean to but he seems to understand me. I can't explain it just yet but maybe if I ever get the chance, I can explain it to you when I get accepted into NYU. Anyway, I've had a personal issue with my ,currently not in the picture, father.  Johnson has always found a way to make me smile when I thought of my father tho. (Also, sorry for the slang words. I should've apologized in advance) Anyway, having someone like that who doesn't pity me but understand me is what I've been searching for quite awhile. I've found it now but I'm stuck between someone I love and someone I barely know. Now the question for you the guess is who is who...... I'll give you a few moments to think about it......... you must've guessed by now and if you did then here it goes. I think the person I love is Jack. The person I hardly know is my boyfriend. Kinda ironic but kinda true. Only because he doesn't seem to fully trust me but understand that because I don't exactly trust myself either.  So the theme overall,  I'm not quite sure. I just know that my life is filled with a bunch of random twists and turns. If I leave to go to NYU, then you would know what I've chosen by then. That choice would've probably been Jack Johnson because he's something else which intrigues me. In conclusion, love really isn't about who you've know the longest or who knows more about you but it's about someone who's special to you, who understands you, who make you smile through those dark times, and for me that has been Jack.

Sincerely,
Thea Rose Montgomery

I closed my laptop and just smiled to myself.

I know I'll see him again. And it may not mean something to him now but I need to say it for myself.

"I love you too, Jack Johnson." I smiled and looked out the plane window.

And to think all this happened because of a spilled coffee.