"You promise to call every day," Kyle said a small frown forming on his face.
"I promise," I said sticking out my pinky finger.
Linking his pinky with mine we sealed the promise before giving one another one more hug.
After I was done saying goodbye to Kyle I moved over to my mother who had tears in her eyes.
"Don't worry, I'll be okay. I'll only be gone for a week and before you know it I'll be home," I whispered gently into her ear as I pulled her into a hug.
"You better," She said a bit choked up before giving me a gentle squeeze.
"Don't get in any trouble, okay. I won't bail you out!" She said playfully as we pulled apart from one another.
I rolled my eyes at her words before planting a kiss on her cheek.
With one last check that I had everything and I said one last goodbye and made my way through the airport terminal.
After going through airport security and bag check I made my way over to the waiting area, where the rest of the students were congregating.
"There you are!" Lance exclaimed once I came into view.
He was sitting in one of the chairs, his arm slung over Malia's shoulder, who was reading a book beside him.
Peering up from her book Malia shot me a small smile before going back to reading.
Sitting across from them was West, who like usual had his sketchbook open.
The nod of his head was the only acknowledgment he gave me his eyes trained on the sheet before him and his pencil moving frantically across the page.
I greeted them each before taking a seat beside West.
"You look bad," Lance commented taking in my slouched position on the chair.
"Thanks," I responded dryly, though I knew his words were true.
It's been a couple of days since Jesse and I's fight and I feel like utter crap.
I haven't been able to sleep well or ignore the anxious thoughts that continue to gnaw at my mind.
It felt like the progress we've made these last four months have depleted.
Like we were back at square one.
The sound of laughter brought me out of my depressing thoughts.
Looking up my eyes caught sight of Talia and Jesse.
They had a bundle of snacks in their hands, laughing together as they approached us.
The beautiful smile that graced Jesse's face made my heart falter for a second.
My eyes were completely captivated by her beauty.
I tried to look away before she caught me staring but it was too late, brown eyes connected with my own.
Immediately her laughing ceased, her steps slowing down as she gazed back at me.
It seemed like time stopped, neither of us knowing what to do except stare at the other, hoping the answer would come to us then.
But, just as quickly her eyes snapped away from mine, a frown now replacing her smile.
How I wish I could have her smile back.
I watched as she took a seat on the other side of Talia just a few seats away from me.
So close, yet it felt so far.
I hated this.
I hated that we fought.
I hate that we weren't talking.
I hated that I was the reason why she wasn't smiling.
I hated the dark circles I spotted under her eyes indicating that she hasn't gotten much sleep either.
I hated that I was too much of a coward to talk to her, to work things out, and prove to her that we can make this work.
That no amount of distance could ruin what we have, I wouldn't let it.
But, what I hated the most was that I was afraid that she might be right.
Maybe, we wouldn't work.
Even if we did keep up with each other, how long will that last until the distance started to eat away at us until we desired more until we broke from the pressure of trying to keep something that maybe wasn't meant to be kept?
Maybe we were always going to go back to square one and this argument just speed up the process.
I wish I could tell her that we would get through every obstacle that comes our way, but how could I say that if I didn't even believe that for myself.
Despite the unknown, I couldn't help the growing feelings I had for her.
The way her smile can make my day better.
The constant awe I get watching her dance.
The adoration I feel as I watch her teach Kyle.
The way her hand perfectly molds against mine.
The gentle caress of her hand through my hair as it brings me ease.
Jesse was my light, she brings me warmth and happiness like no other.
I can't help but gravitate to her constantly, wanting to be in her orbit as long as she'll let me.
But, now, without her, it feels like darkness was creeping in and I was scared I was never gonna see that light again.
Before I can ponder over the issue more I heard the call for our flight.
Grabbing our things we boarded the airplane, a buzz of excitement covering over us as the senior class chatted animately about what's to come.
I wanted to be in on the excitement, but I couldn't, not when I felt like I lost the most important person in my life.
As I moved down the aisle to reach my seat I noticed Jesse struggling to put her bag in the airplane cargo carrier.
Without thinking, I grabbed the bag from her hand, our fingers gently brushing against each other causing a shiver to run through me.
Once I was done, I look at her only to find that she was already looking at me.
"Thank you," She whispered gently.
At her words, I felt the urge to pull her into my arms.
To tell her over and over again how sorry I am.
To tell her how much she means to me.
But, I didn't.
"No problem," I replied instead, though I wanted to say more.
So much more.
With a nod of her head, Jesse made her way over to her seat beside Talia.
I gently shook my head, releasing a sigh of disappointment before I completed my trek to my seat.
My head hit the back of my seat with a light thud, my eyes shut in exhaustion.
"So you're just gonna give up,"
At those words, my eyes shot open.
Glancing over to my left I spotted West who's hand was sketching out gentle strokes across the page.
"What?" I asked confused.
"You're just going to give up that fast, that's very unlike you," He continued to say his eyes never leaving the page.
"No, I'm not going to. " I muttered my arms folding over one another in defense.
"It looks like it to me," West said
"I- I just don't know what to do," I let out running a hand over my face in distress.
After those words fell from my lips, I watched as West placed his pencil in between the pages before shutting his sketchbook.
His body turned to angle mine, his dark brown almost black eyes looking over my appearance.
"I'll tell you what not to do," He said my arms falling onto my lap, my interest peaked.
"Don't give up, you never did before, and now isn't the time to. I see the way you two look at each other, with sheer admiration for the other, the gentle touches of affection that are exchanged between the two of you, the secret glances you take at one another hoping the other doesn't catch you." He said causing my eyes to widen in shock.
I always knew West was very observant, but I didn't realize how much he truly paid attention to the little details.
"What you and Jess have is one of a kind. Even after years of not talking the two of you jump right back into things as if nothing's changed. The both of you bring out the better in the other, serving as a source of encouragement, strength, and care to each other. The two of you are lucky to have one another and shouldn't be so quick to let something so special go," He continued on to say as I listened attentively.
"I watched you many times in the ring Myles and not once have you given up. No matter how many times you get knocked down you get back up and keep on fighting. So, if you take anything from what I've said, take this."
"Keep fighting, for her and for the both of you," He finished off giving me a smile of encouragement.
West then went onto make a sound of approval, noting that I took each word he said into consideration.
Once again he opened up his sketchbook, picked up his pencil, and continued from where he left off.
He's right.
I have never been one to back down, and I won't this time.
Jesse is worth fighting for and I will fight to my very last breath if it means I get to have her in my life.
I will fight, again and again, because losing her is worse than never fighting at all.
I won't give up.
Not now.
Not ever.