Fated

Neither one of us has said a word since we pulled into the airport, maybe because nothing we say will change what is happening, or maybe we’re hoping that this is all a dream. A nightmare. Lots of maybe’s, desires, wants, needs. It all means nothing. Absolutely nothing because his future has already been recorded in stone.

His family hated the idea of me and him together, so his father pulled the rug out from under us. Reminding us painfully that Aaron’s life is not his own and has never been. We both knew that. We both understood that once we graduated Aaron would be shipped off, back home where his father will prepare him to take over. I was not in his plan though. Aaron’s hand had already been bargained off to a rival company’s daughter. Even though neither of them wanted anything to do with the other.

When we met at that stupid dorm party, I didn’t think I’d fall in love with him. I didn’t think he’d be someone so present in my life. I didn’t expect to find someone who loved me for everything I was and everything I wasn’t. When his gate is called, he looks at me. He takes my hands and holds them tightly. I step forward closing the space between us.

“I love you.” I say softly, letting go of his hands so I can hold his face. “I love you.” I say again, voice breaking. I had made it so far without falling apart because he needed me to stay together. “Nothing will change that.” I move his hair softly smiling.

“I love you too.” he whispers, resting his forehead on mine. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. His flight has its final call. He kisses me before stepping away and handing his ticket to the attendant. Our eyes meet one last time before he’s gone. We won't see each other again.

Four Years Later

The persistent knocking on my door pulls me out of sleep. Locking the memory away again. I stand and unlock the door, opening it. My sister Jordyn stands there with a plastic bag. She walks into my room and sets the bag down on my desk.

"I was worried you weren't going to let me in." she says.

"I almost didn't." she pulls the Mifepristone and misoprostol pill bottle out of the bag and looks at me.

"You have a choice." she says. "Despite anything anyone says, you have a choice, a right to decide if this is something you want. Something you want to go through."

"I know," I say softly. "I know." She pulls out a chair and sits in front of me.

"What do you want?" She asks, the only person so far who has asked.