Heartbroken

Chapter 33: Milo

 N/A - I'd like to apologize before hand. So I'm sorry but just bear with me it's worth it I swear. Have fun!

Deep breaths.

My foot tapped the floor and my knee bounced up and down as I tried to steady my breathing. I felt my father's gaze burning through my profile as he glanced at my nervous form. If he normally rolled his eyes, he would have at that moment.

Allegra was coming back.

Here.

Now.

Deep breaths, Milo. Deep breaths.

I played a scene in my head: Allegra coming off of the plane, a grin on her face, running to me. We would hug and I would spin her around, kiss her forehead, her – My face heated. I don't think I've ever thought about kissing anyone.

Being away from Allegra for a year was like my childhood all over again. I would wait by the computer for hours just waiting for her next email. I loved to see the pictures she sent most of all: she was always smiling. You have no idea how much I missed that smile.

Surprisingly, I was completely focused, so my head didn't feel like it was being run through with a metal pole. Like Frida Kahlo. But not in the pelvis. You get the idea. Over time, I've been able to find a way to keep my thoughts away. The only problem is that I only know I have to be distracted. Allegra was my only distraction, and without her, my anxiety rocketed. But I tried not to care. Allegra left because she needed to heal herself. My problems are nonexistent to everyone else and not as important. That was how it always was.

I fingered the paper in my back pocket, shoving the guilt out of my heart. Even after the viewing, I still hadn't shown her the note her father snuck to me. I figured that this would disrupt what she was trying to fix. So I kept it a secret for a year, but I wouldn't be able to keep it for much longer. I would never be able to lie to her face.

"Flight 96 has landed,"

My heart caught in my throat, and I felt myself stand, wiping my hands on my pants. Suddenly my scarf was too tight around my neck, and I pulled at it with a finger. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I was shocked to see that it was my father. He attempted to smile at me. To smile. Nothing would've boosted my confidence more. I could see the people beginning to file off the plane.

Allega was one of the first ones, and I practically melted from her smile. I forced my legs to sit still as I watched her come nearer and closer until her arms were around me, and I was back. Safe. Her hair smelled of lavender with a hint of salt, but I loved it just the same. Though she had gotten taller, she still had to stand on her toes to hug me, but I was excited and lifted her off the ground a few inches. She squealed and I dropped her on her feet as we started laughing. She caught my eye and winked before hugging my father. Since when had she had the confidence to wink at me? I didn't know when it started but I knew that I never wanted it to stop.

I felt like melting into a tiny pile of goo on the airport tile, but I figured that I would be inconveniencing the janitors. I tried to keep my cool as Allegra turned toward me again. She scanned me up and down, just like I had done before. A shiver ran down my spine. Her hair had grown longer and was a lighter shade from the exposure to radiation, and her skin was gently sun-kissed. She looked... happy. And when she smiled it made me smile.

"You wore my bracelet." She grinned, flattery in her eyes. I held out my wrist so I could look at it.

"Every day."

"Did it help?" she looked genuinely concerned. I nodded, smiling in confirmation.

"It worked wonders."