The Girl of The Sun

eighteen

    My alarm goes off at 6:30am, my flight isn't until 2:00, but I want to make sure I'm at least a little early so I can get a coffee. I pair a baby pink crop top and jeans, and wear my favorite sunglasses on my head. I use dry shampoo to freshen up my hair and wear it down, it's already almost to my lower back, it's grown so much since I cut it over a year ago.
Estrella and I are crying like toddlers, this whole
period of time has been an emotional rollercoaster, we've been through so much together, I think I'll miss her the most, after my mom of course.

"We're gonna facetime every day, and I'm gonna tell you about Paris and send you pictures, it will be like you're here with me." I say while smiling through my tear streaks on my cheeks.

"I can't wait for it, has Rafael, have you heard from him?"

  I shake my head and look down. "No, maybe it's just not meant to be. I called him and left him another voicemail but still nothing."

  "I'm so sorry Fabi, that's his fault. You're gonna meet some hot men out there anyways."

I hug her one last time

"I miss you already"

"Be safe, I love you!"

"Love you more." I blow her a kiss and get in the white beetle car and drive off. My parents both take me to the Denver airport and drop me off right before the doors of the section that says United Airlines.

   My dad gives me a bear hug, like he used to do when I was little. "I'm so proud of you, you're going to do amazing things. I'm so glad I get to share this moment with you hita, be safe out there and let us know when you land and get to your dorm."

"I will dad I promise." I go in to hug my mom who has been crying the 2 hour car ride here. "Mom don't cry, you're gonna make me cry."

"I'm just gonna miss my baby girl, that's all. Be safe and make good choices, keep in touch everyday if you can, let us know when you're safe."

"I will I promise mom. I'm gonna miss you guys, so much." I go in for one last group hug, which I hold for a few seconds longer. It makes me happy to see my parents communicate and get along, to see how my dad is trying to change for the better, that's all i've ever wanted. I turn around and there they are, waving and wiping their tears, as I do the same. I walk through the doors and check in my
suitcases and bring Chai to the pet carry on, I made sure he had the best medicine to keep him calm and help him sleep. I bring my carry on bag, which is my denim one that I always use. I go to the Starbucks that's by my gate and get my usual, an iced chai latte. Then I check out the bookstores. I buy a vogue magazine to read on the plane.

   "United flight 107, Denver to Paris will now board all passengers now at this time—"

I walk to my gate, and before I enter I turn around. I don't know why, maybe because a small part of me believes Rafael will run after me. He'll say something , anything. He could just even say hello and I'd be happy. But of course, nothing. My heart breaks inside. Poblano isn't a bad town, but it feels so small, it's like it closes in on me. Love is doomed to be tragedy if you live in Poblano and you're brave if you dare to be different. I loved my parents and my friends, and all of the restaurants that I religiously ate at, but leaving Poblano felt like I was leaving everything bad. Every shameful event of
my past can just be swept under because now I can be this new version of myself in a new country with new people, nobody knows who I am there. I can start over. I look through the window of the plane. I rest my head against the wall, as the plane begins to lift off.

  "At last, new beginnings are here." I think to myself.

 
Rafael's POV

I wake up early to work at the ranch for a few hours, which has been my routine for these last several days. But every morning when the sun rises, I think of Fabiana. How much I loved it when the sun shined on her. How much of a good woman she is, her smile, her laugh. All of the memories. I've had a complicated time these last few months, thinking through things about Meadow, but I felt nothing for her.  I haven't been the same since the first time I spoke to Fabi for the first time. She's the one I love, I want her, all of her. I don't know if it's too soon after everything that's happened, but I want to marry this girl. It doesn't have to be anytime soon, even a few years we can wait, but I've never been more sure about anything in my life. I haven't been able to contact her since i've been at the ranch. There's no service out here and on top of that, our wifi has been broken. Finally around 8:00, the maintenance man fixes it. I quickly open my phone to 4 missed calls from Fabi, 2 voicemails and 4 texts. My forehead instantly begins to sweat, and I listen to the last voicemail she sent this morning, 30 minutes ago.

"Hey Raf, If you haven't heard my previous voicemail yet, basically I had an opportunity to go to Paris early and earn some extra credits. So I took it. I leave today at 2:00 Raf, and if you want you can stop by Estrella's, I'll be there before I drive to the Denver  airport. I still love you, and I miss you so much. Maybe we can talk about what happened, to be honest with you I just want to forget all what happened and be with you, and if you feel the same way, please come to Estrella's. I'll, I'll stay for you, if you want. Gosh, I'd stop my whole world for you. But whatever happens, I'll always love you. Goodbye, Rafael."

The room spins and I can feel myself go into a rush. Without even having to think, I grab my keys and drive 30 minutes back to Poblano. I speed to Estrella's house. I hop out and knock on her door a dozen times until she opens the door.

"Rafael? What're you doing here?"

"Where is she? Where's Fabiana? I have to tell her I love her, I can't let her leave."

"Oh my God! It's about time, but you just missed her. She left 30 minutes ago."

"I'll drive to her, I can't let her go. What time is her flight?"

"It's at 2:00, if you leave now you'll have enough time."

  I hop in my truck and right away get on the highway to Denver. I'm so nervous I might be sick, I can't let her go, I have to tell her I love her and want to spend every minute of my life with her. I was doing perfectly good on time, the roads were clear until I reach Castle Pines, i'm stuck in dead stop traffic for 1 hour and a half. It's 1:45 when I get to the airport. I'm shoving my way through rush hour at the airport, I ask the information desk for the information to a flight to Paris and when they barley tell me the information, I sprint to her gate with security guards chasing me the whole way. I get on the railway and get off on gate B.  And when I approach United flight 107, they close the doors.

"Ma'm please let me in, the girl I love is on that plane and I have to tell her before it's too late, please." I'm pleading on my knees at this point.

"Sir, I'm so sorry, but this gate is closed and is ready for take off. You're gonna have to wait for another time."

"No there is no other time. I have to tell her now because if she leaves, then there's no going back. There's still a chance if you just let me in, please."

"I can't do anything about it young man i'm sorry, it's against the policy and regulations. You're gonna have to leave."

I'm on my knees, with the feel of defeat as security guards try to make me leave, but the plane is leaving, and the girl i love is in there. But I let her go.