No Filter

Chapter XXXIII (33) (Part I)

"You're really going," Dinah sobs. I nod my head, setting my final suitcase by the wall of the living room next to the other suitcases and boxes.

"I have to," I said. "There's really nothing left for me. You four are all I have left, but pretty soon, you guys will be falling in love. Dinah, you and Louis will be happy if you just open yourself up. And do it quick. If you stall, he might be with someone already. And you lost your chance at a happy life. That happened to me."

"No, don't worry, Ally," Dinah says. "Once he learns that you're leaving, he will realize that it's you he wants to be with."

I shake my head. "No. I don't want to think that, and I don't want him to feel like he made a mistake. He has a family to take care of now. I just hope the best for him. Fatherhood will do him justice. And I won't be the person who intercedes his chance at that."

Lauren speaks up, "What if he wants you to be in his life still?"

I shrug. "I can't answer that. But that won't make me decide not to go. I have to do this." They all fell silent. I sigh and assure them, "We all could message and video chat still."

"I'm going to miss you, Ally," Camila said. She wraps her arms around me, and I smile. I hug back, and soon, all the girls and I were in a group hug.

After a while, I push them back before I could start to cry. "Okay, I have to do one last thing before I go. If Selena and Demi come, please load my things. I will be back. It won't take long."

I grab my keys and purse. I put on my coat and walk out of the house. I get inside my car and drive into the main road. Less than fifteen minutes, I parked by Liam's curb. I look in my purse and make sure the two letters I wrote were present. I unbuckle my seatbelt and get out. After I shut the door behind me, I walk on his driveway.

When I stood before the steps of the front porch, I peer through the window and see Liam and Cheryl sitting on the couch. His hand rubbed her belly, and he lowered his head as if to speak to her womb. I smile at how cute he was being. I bat the tears in my eyes away and decide to adjust my plans. Instead of walking in and telling him, I pull out the two letters. One letter was the letter I had written to tell him how I feel about him. And the other was a goodbye letter, what I hoped we both would achieve in the next five to ten years until we get to see each other again, but I don't know if they will ever happen.

I turn around and walk to his mailbox. Once I made sure the flag was down, I open the door and slip the two letters in there. I close it and walk back to my car. My stomach grew jitters, and I held onto it. I inhale deeply and feel my breath hardening.
—
Liam's POV

I sit in the living room, watching television with my beautiful fiancé. I gently caress her stomach. It isn't shown yet, but I know my little one is in there. I lower my head and spoke to him or her. "Hi, I'm going to be your father," I said. Cheryl chuckles, and I lift my eyes. I smile at her and caress her stomach once more.

After a while, I stand up and ask, "Are you going to be alright?"

"Yes," she answers. "Where are you going?"

"To check the mail," I reply. She nods her head.

I slip on my slides and exit the door. I walk down the porch and to the mailbox. I look at the road and squint, thinking I just saw Ally's car driving in the distance. It was too far for me to distinguish, but I proceed. In a couple of seconds, I stood in front of the mailbox. I open it and found a stack of letters and magazines. I grab it and head back inside.

After I close the door behind me, I look at the letter on top. I see Ally's name, and I smiled but felt a little bit confuse. So I was correct. She did drive by. How come I didn't hear her? And why did she just wrote me a letter?

I pick it up and see the letter under was also from Ally and for me. Two letters.

"What is it?" Cheryl asks.

I glance at her and respond, "Uh, Ally wrote me two letters. I think I saw her driving away when I came out, but I wasn't really sure if it was her."

"Two letters?" Cheryl questions.

I nod my head. I walk into the kitchen and toss the rest of the mail on the dining table. I take a seat and unravel the top letter of Ally's. I tore the flap open and pull out the letter. I unfold and begin to read her handwriting.

Hi, Liam. This is probably going to be my last greeting to you for a while if I don't see you by then. I'm so happy for you. Words can't describe how happy I am. You're going to be a father! That's so amazing. You're going to be a great father because you are caring, wise, and practically everything. I can't wait to see your child or you becoming a father. I know you and Cheryl will be the best parents and do whatever you guys can.

My smile widens, but that was too soon as I continue to read.

You may be thinking why I wrote this letter instead of calling or texting, but it's better this way for a lot of reasons. 1) the other letter I gave you. 2) this is the easiest way for me to tell you. Apart from being there for you, I'm informing you that I can't stick around. I don't know if you know this by now, but my mom passed away a couple days ago.

I let out a small breath of shock. What? Pat is gone?!

I know I should've told you. I understand if you're upset with me. I wouldn't blame you. I just couldn't bring myself to tell you because I'm so sad right now. And I think this is the best time to move on. I'm moving away for a while. I don't know for how long. You're in luck if I haven't left yet. I'll be leaving around five. I'm so happy for you and Cheryl, but I just can't stick around to see you two. It breaks my heart every time. And if you read the other letter, you will understand why. I finished writing that one during the day you told me that you started liking Cheryl. I wish you the best. Your best friend, Ally.

"What?" I question.

What was happening? What is going on? Pat is dead? And Ally is moving away?

Tears sting my eyes, wondering how Ally must've felt when her mom died. And I was more than upset. Ally didn't tell me this. Any of this. And she just left it all in a letter. I clench the letter in my hand.

"What's wrong?" Cheryl asks. I look at her in the living room.

I wipe the tears in my eyes and sniff the air. I manage to answer, "Ally, um, her mom died." Cheryl gasps, touching her heart.

"How did she die?" Cheryl asks.

I shrug as a response. "I don't know. But right now, Ally is leaving. She's moving away."

"Moving?" Cheryl questions. "Where?"

"I don't know," I answer. I stand up from the seat. I look at the clock in the kitchen: 4:44. Shit. Time is close. "She's leaving at five. I have to get to her."

I rush to the door. "Wait for me," Cheryl says.

We put on our shoes, and I grab the keys to my car. Once we settle down in the car, I turn on the engine.

"Liam, what are you going to do?" Cheryl asks.

"I'm going to stop Ally from going," I answer. "She's not going to leave." I'll do whatever I can to make sure Ally doesn't leave me. She can't, and I am not going to let her.