The Distance Between Us

Chapter One - Missing You

Distance really does suck. It's like an obstacle between wishful happiness and unsettling reality. Knowing someone you deeply care for is so far away, it's tough; anything could go wrong at any point. I slowly gazed at my phone screen and began to type the words 'i miss you...', but quickly erased it. She was probably better off without me, right? This was the unsettling reality I had prepared myself for. I sighed, deeply, and locked my phone. I couldn't stay obsessing over her anymore. She had moved on. Everybody told me to move on and let it go, but I didn't find it so easy to let go of. 15 years of pure laughter, happiness and love; just gone within a few hours. I was quickly taken from my thoughts by the loud ringing and vibration of my phone. I glanced down to see her name. I took a deep breath and answered. "Hey Alaïa, it's me. I know we haven't talked in a while, but I wanted to check up on you. I miss you" I heard her say. I struggled to find the words to say to her. Nothing would come out, no matter how hard I tried. "Alaïa? Are you there?". I felt my body freeze up. Every emotion I had held in over this girl; every thought and every feeling, I just wanted to explode. "Yeah, I'm here" I calmly spoke. I heard her quickly exhale a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad you answered. Honestly, I didn't think you would. I just wanted to say I'm so sorry about everything that happened between us. I hate not talking to you". I scoffed and rolled my eyes while glancing at my reflection in the mirror. "You left when I needed you the most, Kaïah. You didn't just leave me, you left everybody behind. You left like I meant nothing to you". She sniffed and began to speak as her voice broke. "Alaïa, I'm so sorry. You have to understand why I left. With everything that had happened, I couldn't stay. I couldn't be reminded daily of the pain and—" she suddenly stopped. I sighed and perched myself on the edge of my bed, "And how do you think I feel? I'm still stuck here while my best friend is halfway across the world. You think I wanted to be stuck here?". She stuttered, followed by a few short breaths. "Do you think I wanted to leave you there? I wanted you to come with me! But it isn't my fault that you refused to leave your mom behind!". I glanced at my phone once more and ended the call. She'd never understand or realise the truth. She had a way of avoiding it. No wonder I was still continuously keeping secrets and lying for her.