“Who cares? Goodbye.”

He about-faced and stepped toward the gateway.

Tiny hands grabbed his jacket with an iron grip. A head covered with wet hair was pressed between his shoulders. Water moistened that spot and trickled down his back. Quiet sobs whispered in his ears.

Ethan was wide-eyed at the paralysis he suddenly felt.

“Please…don’t go,” pleaded Zoe between sobs. “You are not alone.”

Those words chilled and warmed Ethan. But they quickly crashed against his heart of stone, and his expression of wide-eyed shock melted back into a scowl. He refused to cling to wishful thinking and false hope.

He stepped forward.

His left arm didn’t come with him.

Ethan looked over his shoulder. One of those little vice-like hands had slipped down and awkwardly clutched his left hand. Standing with her arm almost fully extended was a sad angel. Tears and rainwater flowed indistinguishable down her cheeks, her face hidden behind a curtain of wet amber hair. As Zoe raised her head, Ethan caught a glimpse of her eyes. He had never realized before that they were as big and blue as the ocean.

Ethan fired a glare at Zoe.

Her eyes wouldn’t waver. They begged him not to leave her–not the school, not the “student aristocracy,” not even his family—her.

He tried to pull his hand back.

She tightened her grip.

He looked away and sighed. Tears stung his eyes. Why wouldn’t she let go? Did she really…?

His plane was about to leave.

There was only one thing to do…

His hand tightened around hers.

Zoe pulled him toward her, and Ethan reluctantly yet excitedly accepted her embrace. His duffel bag dropped to the floor as she hugged him and buried her head in his chest, drenching it with tears of joy and standing on her tiptoes just to be a little taller. He rested his chin on her head and wouldn’t let go.

He wasn’t alone.

Did you find this information helpful? If you did, consider donating.