Chapter 10
I turned and walked over to Skylar, not looking back as I heard Chand’s confused sobs behind
The next few days were a blur. My mom wasn’t feeling well, so I was focused on taking care of her and Chip. I didn’t have time to think about Chand or what he was up to.
It wasn’t until Skylar mentioned it that I found out he’d turned down the offer to go back home and decided to stay in our small town. But Skylar, used to people waiting on him, had a tough time adjusting to the daily grind of working. He got pushed around by his coworkers, kept his mouth shut for a while, but eventually snapped. He ended up getting fired.
One day, he was standing downstairs from my place, all banged up, just watching from a distance. But when he saw Skylar, that was who he ended up talking to, not me. I just waved it off. No need for more words. It was over and I was moving on.
After my mom got better, Skylar made sure to take me out on dates every day. I finally got to fee what true love was like.
Then, one day while we were out shopping, Skylar was paying and I realized I left something in the car. As soon as I stepped out, I saw a delivery truck speeding toward me, completely out of control.
I didn’t have time to react, but someone shoved me out of the way at the last second. There was a loud crash and I watched as Chand was thrown from the impact, blood everywhere. I freaked
out.
Skylar rushed him to the hospital and after I calmed down, I reached out to his family through Sandra to get him.
Days went by fast and before I knew it, it was time for both families to meet. While everyone was chatting, Ms. Linda took me upstairs to Skylar’s bedroom. The walls were covered in memories; tools we used to dig in the sand, beaded necklaces, little houses made of blocks. It was all kept with such care.
I could feel my throat tighten and my eyes started to fill with tears. Ms. Linda smiled warmly. ‘That guy never came back here. I always knew who he was waiting for. When your mom said you were coming back, I called him. If I hadn’t pushed him, Skylar might’ve missed out on you forever.”
Just then, I heard a soft cough at the door. Skylar stood there, his ears pink with embarrassment. “Mom, Jayla, dinner’s ready.”
Three months later, in the spring when everything was blooming, I stood in my white wedding dress, watching Skylar at the end of the aisle, looking nervous but so excited.
I walked toward him, taking each step with more confidence. When I reached him, he slid the ring onto my finger and we made our vows, promising forever in front of everyone.
I didn’t find out until after the wedding that Chand had come by and left a bank card with my birthday as the password.
At the same time, I got an offer from a new company for further studies. I decided to go for a three-year advanced program.
pm
Skylar was there for me through it all. When I got busy, he still found time to see me, even if it was just for a little while. We might’ve been in different places, but we always made it work. When I finally finished my training, it was cherry blossom season.
I spotted Skylar at the airport, waiting for me with flowers in his hands. I couldn’t help it, I ran straight to him. He kissed my forehead and we stood there, watching the sunset stretch our shadows long on the ground.
The years seemed to slip by in those moments and as we stood together, I felt a small hand slip between ours. For the rest of my life, I hoped love would always be by my side.
(The End)
