Don't Leave Me || Princibaldi ✔️

3: Stumbling and Crumbling

[Princi's POV]

I stumbled my way through those last two weeks with Baldi. I tried to put on a brave face and look tough, but inside I was crumbling. When I arrived home, I never went a day without collapsing on my couch and crying. I desperately wanted Baldi to stay. I wanted him to stay with me.

It felt like I was chasing Baldi, but he kept getting faster, and he soon disappeared into the distance, too far for me to reach. He was slipping through my fingers faster than I could comprehend.

He still said hello to me in the hallways and chatted with me at lunch, but it hurt to be carrying the burden of that horrible news. I tried to enjoy the last few days with Baldi, but it was hard. So hard. If only he knew about my feelings.

I didn't tell him about my feelings until later. I simply thought it was a bad time to tell him something that might make him feel worse about leaving the schoolhouse.

We both put on fake smiles and struggled our way through those last weeks. My only hope was that Baldi was as sad as I was. Well, I wasn't sad, exactly—I couldn't describe it. It was a cross between sad and angry. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't mad at Baldi. I still don't know.

On that last Friday, Baldi asked if I wanted to hang out with him. I accepted, of course, since it would be one of my last chances to hang out with Baldi. Even the thought made my heart ache terribly.

That afternoon, I had to make a rather painful speech at a school assembly. It was so hard for me to tell the students that Baldi was leaving, because I knew he was very popular among the students.

After school, I walked into the city with Baldi, making light conversation on the way. Every step I took, every breath I breathed, every word I spoke... it all hurt. I simply couldn't believe that he was leaving.

"Would you like to see my new university?" Baldi asked me suddenly, carefully watching my expression. I could feel my heart tearing into more shreds, just knowing he would be gone on Monday.

However, I forced out a "yes", so we walked in the direction of Baldi's new university. I had to admit, it looked very nice. I would imagine he would have to do something impressive to get accepted here. Not that I was surprised, of course—I had faith in Baldi's abilities.

I tried desperately to hold back tears. No, I told myself. Don't cry in front of him. He'll think you're a baby. I blinked, letting out a shuddering breath.

I felt his arms around me again, this time in a comforting hug. "I'll be okay, I promise," he whispered. "I know I'll think of you every day."

Now I let the tears fall. I hugged back, sobbing into his shoulder. Each sob wracked my body, and I swore I could hear him crying, too. At least he was in pain as well.

Oh, Baldi... you have no idea how much I'll miss you.

To Be Continued...