3,000 Miles

Chapter 9

Wes and I strolled along the lake side early Saturday morning. Wes had woken me up at five this morning saying he had to show me something.

"Sorry to wake you so early" he said as we strolled along, hand in hand.

"I don't mind" I added.

"It's just I wanted you to feel how peaceful the early morning was by the water."

He was right. the early morning was chilled and quiet. The fog from the lake gave it an eerie feeling, but it was peaceful nonetheless.

"I think the little things are important." he added "like how the early morning light can make someone you never thought could be more beautiful, even more beautiful." I smiled.

"But that's not completely the reason I brought you here." He stopped and looked at his feet.

"What is it Wes? What's wrong?" I asked.

"Well..our band, we got a really big gig offer" he stuttered.

"Wes that's great! why do you look so sad?"

"Because Ann, it's in Los Angeles"

"Well, how long will you be gone?" I asked.

"Two weeks."

I cringed at the thought of two weeks without him. I knew though,what I had to do. I couldn't hold him back. If the tables were turned I know he'd be happy for me.

"Well, Wes, I guess there's only one thing to do."

"What?" he looked up with sad eyes.

"Pack your bags, of course!" I faked a smile.

"What? your not upset?" he questioned.

"How could I be upset? I'm mean of course I'm gonna miss you like crazy, but you can't pass this up." I held his hand and gave a reassuring smile. I turned and we walked down the side walk and sat down by the lake. I laid close in his embrace, his warmth encompassing me in the frigid morning air. I looked up and smiled, thankful he was here. I wasn't really worried about him leaving.

I mean hey, It was only two weeks, right?
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When Monday morning came I helped Wesley pack his bags into the back of my car.

"All set?" I asked.

"No" he answered. "I'm terrified"

I pulled him into a hug and reassured him this was the right thing to do.

We were meeting the other boys at the airport so we had to be there by seven to make sure we had enough time to say our final goodbyes.

Once again we found ourselves riding in silence. Wesley drove, one hand on the wheel and the other holding mine, but no one spoke. It was almost as still and quiet as the morning at the lake, but I knew why, we both we're trying to fight the tears.

We pulled into the parking lot, but neither of us moved. Wes looked at me and lightly smiled, he sighed and kissed my hand. We unloaded his suitcase from the trunk and we walked inside, hands still intertwined, and as we walked I tried to memorize the way his fingers felt around mine, and the way he smelled, things I knew I'd have to do without the next two weeks.

We stood in line and waited, my head rested on his shoulder. I didn't mean for there to be, but there was already a stain forming on his shirt from where my head was. I couldn't stop the tears, we'd always been together since day one, I didn't know what to do by myself.

The other boys met up with us at the entrance. They looked extremely excited, as a posed to wesley, and I wondered if they had anyone to leave behind.

My thoughts were interrupted by a voice over the intercom. "Flight #453 is now boarding"

Wes looked down at his ticket. A drop of water hit the ticket, making a stain. when he looked up at me I saw it was because he was crying. He pulled me in and held me.

"Hey" I whispered "You better call me everyday, I love you."

He didn't answer so I held him tighter and nuzzled my face into his neck and cried . The other boys looked on in pity, but Landon came over and put his hand on Wes's shoulder.

"I'm really sorry man, but we've gotta go." he told him.

We pulled away as looked into each other's watery eyes.

"I love you." The only thing he had said all morning.

" I love you, too" I answered

"Always have"

"Always will."

And with that he gave me one last hug and walked towards the plane door. At the door he stopped and turned to look at me one last time. I smiled and blew him a kiss. He caught it and smiled as he turned and got on the plane.

'Hey, it's only two weeks'. I thought again.

I had no idea.