I Amsterdam (Completed)

Chapter 11.2 - Emma

I was half asleep on the sofa when a knock on the door awoke me. It was still night outside, and so I was curious who on earth would be at the door at this time of the day.

I walked over and opened it, but my whole body froze when I saw who stood on the other side.

Brandon.

Words left my mouth as I tried to say something, but couldn't. He wore baggy clothing and a gray beanie that didn't fully cover his messy blonde hair. It dangled so low from his head that I was afraid one small movement would send it falling to the ground. A backpack rested on his shoulders, so fully stuffed it looked like it was going to pop like a balloon pricked by a needle. He stood on the lowest step of the front porch, and so being temporarily lower in height, he looked up at me with sparkling and hopeful eyes, the same gaze that I fell in love with. Immediately, I could guess his intentions, but was still speechless to say anything.

"Let me come with you," he blurted out.

I looked at him incredulously. "What?" I said. I refused to believe what I was hearing.

"Let me come with you," he repeated. "To see the world. Together."

This was too quick. I needed some time, an hour at least, to see this coming. I had nothing planned for this, and it was too unexpected. Just a few hours ago, I was preparing myself for leaving Brandon forever, readying myself to forget about him and my feelings toward him, but now it seemed like I may not have needed to do that. So many things just didn't add up, and there were so many things I needed to ask him, but I needed to be leaving in five minutes to catch my train.

"Wh-Wha-," I stammered. "What about your parents? Do they know what you're doing?"

"I don't give a damn about them," he answered, a bitter tone in his voice. "All they've done is just control me and the path I lead. But you made me realize that no matter how much you want to know the future, how much you want to control it, it will always be mist, because it hasn't formed into water yet. And we are the factors that decide, with every action we do today, how that mist will become water in the future, drip by drip. And that's what I'm doing now, Emma. I'm taking control. Not of my future, but of my present that will eventually lead to it."

"A-A-Are you sure about this?" I asked. My body was shivering, but it wasn't even that cold.

"There is only one thing I am sure about," he said. "You. I love you, Emma. You've been my sunrise this entire week, and I won't be able to handle never seeing you again. I can't let you out of my sight. I want to be with you. Let me come. Please. We could live our dreams together."

"I don't know, Brandon," I said. "I love you too, but that's why I don't know."

"Why?"

"Travelling the way I do is hard. You have to work in the places you go to earn the money to feed yourself. You can't afford planes, so have to travel by foot, train, or hitch a ride in cars. For some days, you'll have to sleep on the streets." It was hard enough to just imagine seeing Brandon undergo all that I've been through.

"I don't care," he retorted. "As long as it's with you."

"I-" I started.

"Come on," he prodded. "You know this is what I want. I told you travelling the world was my dream before I even knew you were doing it."

"Yeah, but your dream is you travelling with your family, remember? With your two kids and wife. Not me."

"Well, maybe it's the same thing," he said. "Maybe even better."

I tried to say more, but he interrupted before I could even say another word.

"I already packed all my things." He pointed to his backpack. "I brought all my savings, too. And, I already booked a train ticket to Brussels, so you technically can't stop me from coming with you. Come on, we love each other, so what more can we ask for than each other? We are all we need, Emma."

We love each other, so what more than we need? Travelling the world was all I wanted, but being with Brandon while travelling the world, while living my dream? Why am I hesitating?

"Alright," I submitted. "But we gotta get going now, though, so let's go." I grabbed my travelling pack, put it on, and then took his hand, closing the Schneider's door behind me. My hand slowly left the golden door handle, my fingers brushing away rust formed over the many years the house stood, and the many hands it once touched.

I'd probably never see it again.