Page 82 of The Sky Between Us

Pulling away I rested my forehead on his, eyes still closed as I wasn’t ready to look reality in the eye. “I’m so proud of you for going for your dreams,” I whispered, touching his bracelet and slowly rolling it off my wrist. “Good luck.”

Aiden’s arms went rigid around me, his muscles tensing not ready to let me go, but I needed to put an end to this otherwise one of us would ask the big questions none of us was ready to answer.

“I’ll drive you home,” he insisted on a husky voice. “Please.”

“I’ll take an Uber,” I pulled further from him but his eyes kept me caged in close proximity to him. “Aiden… it’s time.” I placed the bracelet in his extended hand, his eyes dropping to it.

“Keep it. I gave it to you,” he said, desperation clear in his tone.

I shook my head. “You said you don’t know what the future holds and this represents a comeback. Don’t make promises you won’t keep.”

“We shouldn’t have spent the last days like this,” he shook his head, sadness rolling off of him in waves drowning me. “We should have been together, hug, kiss, make love. Not like this…”

“Aiden, we have wonderful memories,” I smoothed a hand through his silky hair and squeezed the back of his neck. “I don’t regret a thing.”

“I do,” he said, his pleading eyes not leaving me. “I have many regrets.”

“You shouldn’t have,” I said, offering him a sad smile. “But I need to go now. You have a long drive ahead of you tomorrow and it’s getting late. Say hi to Camilla and your parents.”

Aiden took a long, ragged breath and finger by finger, he unattached his hands from me and pulled back to the driver’s side. His eyes still bore into mine and I understood his silent monologue.

He was always the good guy, someone who never let down anyone, who kept all his promises. Guilt was eating him up. He felt responsible for me, when I wasn’t his to worry about.

I needed to be strong for both of us.

Slipping my ice queen mask back on, I gave him a smile and reached for the door handle.

“I’m fine. And I’m sure you will be fine too. It was fun while it lasted, but you and I both know we weren’t meant to be.”

Aiden closed his eyes for a brief second and nodded, his hand clenching onto the bracelet. He was giving me the time to make my exit. With a heavy heart, I listened to the loud thump of the car as the door closed behind me. The engine didn’t turn on immediately; he waited until I pulled the phone out of my pocket and swiping my thumb a couple of times, he assumed I called my Uber.

Lifting my head, I met his eyes through the fogged-up window and waved at him. Aiden gave me a short nod, his eyes still reflecting the internal storm that was eating him up, before the engine roared up and he backed out of the parking lot, leaving me there all alone with the pieces of my broken heart.

My legs buckled under me and I sat in the dirt of the empty parking lot as my tears spilled from my eyes.

I thought I knew what heartbreak was. I thought I knew what pain was.

But nothing could compare to the emptiness I felt when the Audi disappeared from my view and once again, I was left behind in the shadow where I always belonged. It was stupid of me to try and walk the light when I was made to hide in the darkness.

Chapter 19

Christmas passed in a haze; the festivity of the holiday got overshadowed by my breakup with Aiden. For Sky’s sake I tried to put on a happy face and pretend but it became increasingly harder. I sought the solitude of my dorm room and silence. All I wanted to do was get lost in my swirling thoughts and mourn. Hence why I came up with the pathetic lie of going to a New Year’s Party with my friends and I needed to go back early.

Aiden was flying out on the first of January, from the Fresno International Airport, and I knew from Sarah, he declined to come for the party. He’s already said his goodbye’s. Me, on the other hand, told Sarah I was staying at home. Since she was sleeping at Elliot’s place, I didn’t need to worry about anyone barging in on me or even caring.

Sweet solitude and my shattered heart. Perfect company to end the year. The year that was my best and worst. I thought Jake broke me to the point of incorrigibility, but I was wrong. My heart still functioned enough to fall head over heels in love with Aiden. But this time around, I didn’t think there was any turning back from the pain I felt.

A loud knock on the door woke me up from my half-asleep state and with a low grumble I walked to the door, almost falling across my opened suitcase.

“Shit,” I muttered, catching my balance. “I’m coming.”

Another loud banging came from the door, making me groan loudly. So impatient.

“What is it?” I tore the door open and stared at Clair and Giselle in surprise. The Dance Team captain lifted her hand, showing me the Tequila while she adjusted her strapless red dress. I knew we were supposed to wear red underwear for New Year’s Eve, but I didn’t think a full-on red dress made a difference. But Claire pulled it off, contrasting her blonde hair.

“We got you a drink, before we help you change, and you are coming with us,” Clair said, pushing past me and Giselle, followed with an apologetic smile. Her black mini dress was all leather, paired with knee high boots and despite my moody state, I admired how well it fit her. Both of them were ready to take on the night, while I was in my cotton shorts and Aiden’s hoodie that I refused to take off.

“Not a chance,” I said, slamming the door behind them. “I’m not in the mood to party.”

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