player [ 𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 | 𝗮𝘂 ]

nine

Graduation came and went so fast, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and relief. After weeks of applying for jobs and attending countless interviews, I had finally landed an offer in the United States. It felt like a breath of fresh air, a chance to escape the suffocating emotions that surrounded my time in Australia—especially those tied to Luke.

Mia and I sat together in a quiet corner of the campus café, the smell of coffee hanging in the air. She was scrolling through her phone, probably trying to distract herself from the inevitable farewell we'd soon face. "So, you're seriously going through with this?" she asked, looking up at me with a hint of concern in her eyes.

"Yeah," I replied, my heart pounding. "I think it's the best thing for me right now. A clean break, you know? I need to get away from all the... drama."

Mia nodded, biting her lip. "I get that. But you'll keep in touch, right? We'll FaceTime and text all the time. And I'll come visit you! It's the perfect excuse for a trip to New York."

"Absolutely," I promised, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving her behind. "You'll be my first guest. Just make sure to bring snacks."

We both laughed, but a heaviness hung in the air. The reality of leaving was starting to sink in, and I tried to push aside thoughts of Luke. He had missed graduation, and though part of me was worried, I knew that reaching out would only complicate things further. I had to stay strong, even if my heart ached.

As my departure day approached, I spent the final hours with my dad, assuring him that I would call regularly. We stood in the driveway, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows. "I'm proud of you, kiddo," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Just promise me you won't forget where you came from."

"I won't, Dad," I replied, wrapping my arms around him tightly. "And I'll come back to visit. You know I will."

Mia stayed behind with him, a comforting presence. As I turned to leave, she called out, "Don't worry about him. He's pretty much my dad too, remember? He will be fine!"

I chuckled, feeling a swell of affection for my friend as I walked away, the weight of my decision hanging in the air.

The airport was bustling with travelers, and I felt a mix of anticipation and dread as I stood there. I still had some time before boarding, and I was almost ready to let go of everything that had been holding me back. But just as I was about to head to the gates, I felt a familiar rush of energy and turned around.

There he was—Luke—looking disheveled and panicked. My heart dropped as I caught his eye.

"Daphne! Wait!" he called, pushing through the crowd. My breath caught in my throat as he rushed toward me, his expression a mix of desperation and regret.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though the sight of him sent a whirlwind of emotions through me.

"I came to find you. I need to talk to you," he said, breathing heavily. "Please, don't go."

"Luke, it's too late," I replied, shaking my head. "You made your choice."

"I know, and I messed up," he pleaded, stepping closer. "I made a mistake taking Sarah back. I thought I could make it work, but it wasn't real. It was just me running away from what I really felt."

Tears stung my eyes as I listened. "And what is it that you really feel?"

He hesitated, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. "I care about you, Daphne. I've cared about you for a long time. I didn't want to admit it, but I can't just let you leave without telling you how I feel."

The weight of his words hung between us, and I could see the truth in his eyes. But the pain of seeing him with Sarah still lingered. "But you were just with her," I said, my voice trembling. "How can I believe anything you say now?"

"I know I hurt you, and I can't change that," he said, his voice raw with emotion. "But I want to try and make it right. Please don't leave me like this."

Before I could respond, he closed the distance between us, cupping my face in his hands. The warmth of his touch sent shivers down my spine. And then, without warning, he kissed me—passionately, desperately—as if he was trying to pour everything he felt into that moment.

For a split second, I kissed him back, surrendering to the warmth and familiarity of his embrace. But then clarity hit me like a cold splash of water. I pulled away, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Luke, I can't," I said, my voice breaking. "I need to do this for myself. I can't be caught in this back and forth anymore."

He stepped back, hurt flickering in his eyes. "But I love you, Daphne! I didn't realize it until it was almost too late. Don't go. Please."

"I have to," I whispered, my heart aching. "I hope you find what you're looking for."

With that, I turned and walked toward the gate, every step feeling heavier than the last. I didn't look back, knowing that if I did, I might change my mind.

As I boarded the plane, I found my seat by the window, feeling a mix of relief and sorrow. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but the memories of Luke lingered like an echo in my mind.

Once everyone had boarded, I glanced over to see Calum taking the neighboring seat to my right. His presence felt comforting in the chaos of my emotions. "Hey, looks like we're seatmates," he said with a friendly grin.

"Yeah," I replied, managing a small smile. "What's taking you to America?"

"Just some music stuff. Planning on doing a few shows and a bit of recording, might look into starting a band" he explained casually. "What about you?"

"I got a job offer, journalism," I said, choosing my words carefully. "Just thought it was a great opportunity to see what's out there."

Calum nodded, his eyes lighting up. "That sounds amazing. A fresh start! You're going to do great things, I can feel it."

"Thanks," I said, feeling a mixture of hope and uncertainty as the plane began to taxi down the runway. I looked out at the landscape disappearing beneath us, my heart racing with both excitement and trepidation about what lay ahead.

As we took off, I settled into my seat, feeling the weight of my decision. I was ready to embrace a new chapter, leaving the past behind me. Yet, as I chatted with Calum about the adventure ahead, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was stepping into the unknown—an open door to possibilities I couldn't yet fathom.

The future was wide open, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a flicker of excitement at the thought of what might come next.

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