I take the final steps until I’m standing in the doorway to the plane. I look back one last time, wanting to memorise the faces of the boys who melted my heart, broke it, stole it. I didn’t come here looking for love - or even friendship - but damn if I didn’t find it...Now I just have to let it go. Let them go.
I start to turn away but Sawyer calls out. What is it about him, specifically, that has always been my weak spot?
“Amelie, please!” he cries. “I’ve quit my job to be with you. You can’t go...I don’t want to deny my feelings for you any longer.”
I hesitate, truly torn. The connection between Sawyer and I has always been hypnotic. Slate and Kalen are too easy to love, and Onyx fascinates me. But Sawyer’s words tear me apart.
One more step and I’m on my way home. Back to my family, my brother, Smalls…I can leave Laura and Monty and their manipulations behind. It should be a no-brainer. So why am I waiting? Why is my heart wrung out? Why do these goddamn tears keep falling? I dash them away angrily. I don’t want to be weak.
The rev of an engine has me jumping to my senses.
“It’s too little, too late,” I call down to the four of them. “Fuck you.”
I step onto the plane and take my seat, the stewardess jumping to close the door and perform the final checks before take-off. I sit and stare out of the window, silent tears streaming uncontrollably down my face. Why does this feel like the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make? Why does it feel like I’ve just made the wrong choice?
Below, Onyx is kicking the shit out of the limo, whilst Sawyer and Slate desperately try to pull him away. Kalen’s eyes are locked on mine and I see he’s crying as much as I am. I’m so full of doubt, it physically hurts my chest. Damn them for doing this to me. I was ready to go, to leave and never look back, and now they have me wishing I could stay with a few simple words and gestures.
“Fuck you,” I whisper over and over again to myself and to them. “Fuck you.”
