Not Like The Others

Chapter 10

"What are you doing here, Sylass?" I asked, freeing myself from Oliver's arms. 

He looked between us blankly, and carefully said his next words as if he could trip on them and his entire demeanor would crumble. 

"What, am I not allowed to use the airport?" He said sarcastically, but he still bore no expression. 

Oliver lingered behind me still, and I glanced at him quickly. He seemed agitated and annoyed, similar to how he appeared on the doorstep of the vineyard that day. 

I looked at Sylass curiously, wondering if he would add anything to the end of his statement, but he kind of just left it in the air, making the situation drastically more awkward. I went to turn away from him but his voice caught my ear. 

"Emily, can I speak to you for a moment?" Sylass asked. 

I glanced over at Oliver who had gone back to look at the aquarium, and back to Sylass. 

"Sure," I replied. We walked to the railing by the escalator and he stared at me. "You wanted to talk?"

He stared at his feet for a moment before regaining his composure to look at me. "Yes, sorry, I just," his eyes traveled all over my face before settling on my eyes, "sort of forgot how breathtaking you are."

Despite myself, my cheeks turned red hot. I leaned onto the railing and watched the people below us as they rushed around. 

"I miss you," he said quietly from beside me. 

I looked over at him, my chin on my shoulder. 

"No, you don't," I started. 

"No Emily, you see, I do," he continued, "I love you. Still." 

"Sylass, you love your imagined idea of me," I said sighing. He shook his head in disbelief. 

"God, you are so, so... bionic!" He frowned as he decided on the last word, not quite sure it was what he meant. "I'm sorry, I just learned the word? Near sight?" He asked me, racking his brain, and I couldn't help but find it cute and charming. 

"Myopic, Sylass," I said gently. 

"Yes, Emily, you are so myopic," he echoed in his sterling accent. "You are so myopic, Emily, you see what you want to see and that is all. Do you think I wanted to fall in love with someone who can't love me back?" He said with a chuckle to mask the pain I saw in his face. 

"I told you I loved you, Sylass," I said clearing the lump in my throat. "I just said I couldn't do this."

"But I'm saying I know that you can," he said, his voice trying to convince me.

I stared at him with sadness and longing in my eyes but forced myself to break away. 

I stepped away from him backward, and as I did so I said, "I have a flight to catch, Sylass."

He looked down at his hands which were fidgeting in front of him, but then turned back toward the railing and continued to watch everyone below. 

--

After many more delays and lots more confusion, we boarded the plane 4 hours late. 

My mind was racing as I sat in my aisle seat, my leg bouncing once again. Oliver didn't attempt to calm me this time, and he hadn't said a word to me since we left Sylass. Oliver also chose the window seat, leaving the seat between us conspicuously absent. He stared out the window as we took off, and I closed my eyes feeling panicky as the plane rose into the air, but he just rested his hand on his face and put in his earbuds.