don't let go • jenzie

chapter 17

• Third person •

Next day, wedding day

Everyone was making themselves ready for the final ceremony today. Annie was very excited and nervous.

Johnny couldn't sleep the whole last night and just stared at the sky in his thoughts. He was doubting if he's doing the right thing.

He never had a second thought about fulfilling his dreams, but now it seemed different. Now he had Kenzie. And she wouldn't leave his mind.

He was in love with her, there was no doubt. But was he doing the right thing by letting her go?

He pulled out his travel book and looked into it again. All the empty pages, Kenzie once looked into, were filled with texts and pictures from his experiences in each city and country.

Only Paris was still empty. It was his next stop.

He closed the book and sighed.

He stood up and went into Annie's room, to help her make herself ready for her big day. Hayden was already there.

She was wearing a beautiful white dress and looked absolutely stunning.

''Annie you look perfect.'', Johnny said, stepping into the room.

She turned around to see him. ''Thank you, John.'', she smiled.

''Ready for your big day?'', Hayden asked.

''I'm nervous. But I think I got this.'', she breathed.

''Relax. Everything will be perfect.''

They smiled.

-

At the ceremony Annie came in looking beautiful as everyone stared at her, especially Asher. He looked at her with a smile and couldn't stop looking at her.

Johnny filmed everything as everyone clapped while Annie walked in.

Kenzie walked over to her, walking with her as Johnny's eyes fell on her.

She looked gorgeous in her dress and Johnny couldn't take his eyes off of her. For him, she looked absolutely breathtaking.

Even though she wasn't the bride, she looked just as beautiful.

During the ceremony, Johnny tried hard to focus on that, but couldn't help but look at Kenzie every few seconds.

He could sense that she was sad, even though she hid it behind a smile.

She looked down as she felt eyes on her and she knew who's eyes it were, but she ignored it on purpose.

After the ceremony ended Annie hugged everyone one last time.

Johnny was about to walk away, since he got a little upset about Kenzie, but was stopped by Annie.

He turned around while Hayden stood beside him looking at Annie.

She smiled at both of them and hugged them almost crying.

''I love you two so much.'', she whispered.

When she let go, she walked away with Asher.

Johnny looked down sad, as he felt Kenzie looking at him. They made quick eye contact.

She gave him a sad smile but he looked away, not baring to see her. He walked past her, she looked after him.

A tear rolled down his cheek as she looked down and broke into crying too.

He couldn't look into her eyes anymore and didn't look back.

-

Later that night, Johnny packed all his bags and made his way to the airport.

He sat on a bench there and kept thinking. These doubting thoughts haven't left his mind.

Was he doing the right thing?

His thoughts were interrupted by the last announcement for his flight, which he ignored.

He thought for another moment, before he eventually stood up and left the airport.

-

Johnny quietly opened the door of his old home. He hasn't been home for years but he didn't wanna wake anyone up.

He looked around and saw that everything was still the same as it used to be.

He sat down on the couch and thought of old memories with his father which made him look down, crying a little bit.

If only he didn't go on that mountain hike. If only he had talked to him more often. If only he had met him again after a long time. If only...

He felt a hand touch his shoulder but didn't bother to look.

Lauren came and hugged him tight, after seeing her brother again after years.

-

''I'm sick of running away.'', Johnny said as they both sat on the couch, slowly catching up. ''I wasted my time. And now dad is dead.''

''Johnny, do you know what actually made dad happy?'', Lauren said, as he looked up to her. ''Not mom, not me, not Maddie or Darian. It was you, because you are his only son. He was very proud of you. You risked to lose everything to make your dream come true. You went your own way and knew what you would do.'' A small pause. ''And if you wanna show him how much he meant to you, continue to do what you did before. Live your dream. And follow your heart, John.''

He smiles a little bit, as they sat in silence for a few seconds.

''Thank you, Lauren.''

''Everything will be fine.'', she assured him, laying her hand on his and smiled. They hugged again.

He knew what he will do.

-

''Thank you again, Lauren. I really appreciate it. Love you.'', he said, standing at the door ready to leave again.

He was about to go when she stopped him. ''Wait.'', he turned back to face her, ''What's her name, buddy?'', she smirked as he smiled.

He shaked his head, closing the door behind him as Lauren smiles after him.

author's note
i haven't updated in soo long i'm sorryyy. but this is the last chapter, epilogue is next :( i'm sad this book is ending but i'm glad i can finally finish it. anyways, i hope y'all like this chapter <33