Chapter 31: The Choice (Leo POV)
Chapter 31: The Choice (Leo POV)
I stand at the gate, my boots planted on the shiny floor, the boarding sign flashing above me. The airport’s loud, voices buzzing, people moving fast around us. Jake’s next to me, his hand on my arm, tugging a little, his duffel bag slung over his shoulder. “Come on, Leo,” he says, his voice low and firm. “It’s time.” My phone’s in my hand, the screen glowing bright, Daniel’s text staring back at me. “I can’t do this without you.” The words burn into my eyes, small but heavy, and my chest tightens, making it hard to breathe. My arm’s still bandaged, the white cloth itchy under my sleeve, and my head’s spinning, caught between here and him.
Jake pulls harder, his grip strong, moving me toward the line. People are boarding, handing over tickets, disappearing down the jetway to New York. “We’re next,” he says, looking at me, his eyes sharp. “You need this. A fresh start.” I look at the sign, the word “New York” in big letters, and my stomach twists. A fresh start. Away from Daniel, away from the mess I’ve become. My breath shakes, and I nod, slow, my head heavy. “Okay,” I mutter, my voice rough, barely there. Jake’s face softens, just a little, and he lets go of my arm, stepping forward with his ticket out. “Good,” he says. “Let’s go.”
I take a step, my boots loud on the tile, following him. The line’s short now, just a few people ahead, and the woman at the desk smiles, ready for us. My hand tightens on the phone, Daniel’s text still open, glowing in the corner of my eye. “I can’t do this without you.” It’s him, I know it, even from a new number. My heart pounds, fast and hard, and my legs feel weak. Jake hands over his ticket, turning back to me, waiting. I step up, slow, my ticket crumpled in my other hand, and hold it out. The woman takes it, scans it, the beep loud in my ears. “You’re set,” she says, handing it back. Jake nods, moving toward the jetway, and I follow, my chest aching.
We’re almost there, the tunnel dark ahead, the plane waiting. Jake’s in front, his steps steady, and I’m right behind, my breath shallow. I look at the phone again, Daniel’s words bright against the cracked screen. My eyes sting, wet and hot, and I stop, my feet locking in place. Jake keeps going, then turns, frowning. “Leo?” he says, loud over the airport noise. “What’s wrong?” I don’t answer. My hand shakes, the phone trembling, and I see Daniel’s face, his eyes when he kissed me, not when he left. He needs me. I need him. My throat burns, and I shake my head, small at first, then harder. “I can’t,” I whisper, my voice breaking.
Jake steps back, fast, grabbing my arm again. “Yes, you can,” he says, his voice sharp. “We’re doing this. Come on.” He pulls, hard, dragging me forward, but my legs don’t move right. My heart’s racing, loud in my ears, and I yank back, my arm slipping free. “No,” I say, louder now, my voice rough. “I can’t go.” Jake’s eyes widen, his face tight. “Leo, stop it,” he snaps. “You’re coming with me. Now.” He reaches for me again, but I step back, fast, my breath fast and shaky. The phone’s still in my hand, Daniel’s text glowing, pulling me like a rope. I turn, sudden and sharp, and bolt, running back into the terminal.
People yell, surprised, as I shove through them, my shoulder hitting a guy with a bag. “Watch it!” he shouts, but I don’t stop. My boots pound the floor, loud and fast, and I push harder, weaving through the crowd. “Daniel!” I yell, my voice raw, echoing off the walls. My eyes dart everywhere, searching, my chest burning. He’s here, he has to be. The text means he’s close, trying to find me. I shove past a woman with a stroller, muttering sorry, and keep going, my bandage catching on someone’s sleeve. “Daniel!” I shout again, louder, my throat sore, tears spilling down my face.
The terminal’s huge, full of people, screens flashing overhead, but I don’t see him yet. Jake’s behind me, I hear him, his boots heavy, his voice loud. “Leo! Get back here!” he yells, close, chasing me. I don’t look back. I can’t. My legs shake, weak from days of nothing, but I push them harder, my breath ragged. “Daniel!” I call, desperate, my voice cracking. The crowd thins a little, opening up, and I scan fast, my heart pounding so loud it hurts. Then I see him, across the terminal, near security. He’s there, his dark hair messy, his hands out, two guards holding him back. He’s reaching, straining, his face wild, looking for me.
My breath stops, caught in my chest, and I freeze for a second, staring. It’s him. Daniel. His eyes find mine, wide and bright, and he shouts my name, “Leo!” His voice cuts through the noise, sharp and real, and my legs move again, fast, toward him. “Daniel!” I yell back, shoving through the last few people, my hands shaking bad now. Jake’s still behind, closer, his hand brushing my sleeve, but I twist away, running full speed. The guards hold Daniel tight, his arms pinned, but he’s fighting them, reaching out, his face set and fierce. I’m almost there, my boots slipping on the floor, my voice gone, as Jake’s shout echoes loud behind me.