15-05-2021-052358It-Ends-with-Us

for the military. He knew that a casual friendship would never work
between us. It would have been too painful.
Apparently, that hasn’t changed.
“Goodbye, Atlas.”
Saying those words again tears me up almost as much as the first
time I had to say them. He winces and then turns and walks to the
door like he can’t leave fast enough. When the door closes behind
him, I walk over and lock it, then press my head against it.
Two days ago I was asking myself how my life could possibly get any
better. Today I’m asking myself how it could possibly get any worse.
I jump back with the sudden knock at the door. It’s only been ten
seconds since he walked out, so I know it’s Atlas. I unlock it and open
it and I’m suddenly pressed against something soft. Atlas’s arms wrap
tightly around me, desperately, and his lips are pressed against the
side of my head.
I squeeze my eyes shut and finally let the tears fall. I’ve cried so
many tears for Ryle over the past two days, I have no idea how I still
have any left for Atlas. But I do, because they’re falling down my
cheeks like rain.
“Lily,” he whispers, still holding me tightly. “I know this is the last
thing you need to hear right now. But I have to say it because I’ve
walked away from you too many times without saying what I really
want to say.”
He pulls back to look down at me and when he sees my tears, he
brings his hands up to my cheeks. “In the future... if by some
miracle you ever find yourself in the position to fall in love again...
fall in love with me.” He presses his lips against my forehead. “You’re
still my favorite person, Lily. Always will be.”
He releases me and walks away, not even needing a response.
When I close the door again, I slide to the floor. My heart feels like
it wants to give up. I don’t blame it. It’s suffered through two separate
heartaches in the course of two days.
And I have a feeling it’s going to be a long time before either of
those heartaches can even begin to heal.