•Before I Let Go•

•Chapter 18•

       Cory grabbed her and pulled her into a tight embrace. He nearly wept on the spot, but held it in as he was unable to hold back the sound of his sniffles. He kissed her forehead before leaning down, becoming eye level with her. What he had said was the beginning of the end, "This isn't the time or place—just meet me at our spot."

      And so, Alida did. She hadn't been bothered changing out of the clothes she had worn to the funeral—but then again, neither had Cory.

-§§§-

         "So, what is it? What do you have to say for yourself?" Alida demanded, wiping her nose. She was all cried out at that point.

"This is my fault. It should've been me."

"Don't!" Alida lowered her voice, coaxing herself to try again, "Don't say that."

"I brought you out here because... I gotta let you go. I don't want to- I wanna stay but- I can't, Alida. I can't fucking stay here." Cory broke. His voice cracked as he spoke with tears springing from his eyes.

"No. No, you can't leave me. You can't do this to us, Cory-"

"I have to. All I've done is fuck up your life. I can't stay here because... I'm just gonna fuck it up."

       Alida's mouth fell open—Aidan had told him. Even though it wasn't his place, Aidan had told Cory that she was pregnant. Angry with her dead brother, Alida was more furious with Cory for running away from his responsibilities.

She stood from the swing, marching over to him with folded arms. With narrowed eyes, Alida shot daggers, forcing him to look her in the eyes as she spoke—her gaze following his each time he tried looking away.

        "Are you fucking serious? Where will you go, Cory? You have no one—no family, no friends—where the fuck are you gonna go, huh?"

"I'll figure it out. I'm sorry I can't do this anymore. Just know that I love you, and you'll never know how fucking sorry I am-"

Alida smacked him, causing the end of his sentence to fall short. She pushed off on his chest, pushing him hard—over and over—hoping to knock him down.

"If you leave- if you leave... don't you ever fucking come back. Do you understand me—never show your face around here again." Alida growled; her hands were gripping his neck trying to choke him.

Cory took it—he deserved that much. He nodded, looking down at her in despair. He gave a slight nod and a hard swallow, giving into Alida's harsh sentiment.

         "Wait, no—please, don't—I'm sorry. Please don't leave me, oh my god, Cory." Alida cried, her strangled grip on his throat softened with comforting strokes. Her sobs were beginning to shake her body; despite having been cried out, she somehow had more tears to spare. "Cory, please—baby I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

          Alida had tried to hug him, but all Cory could do was untangle her from him. He couldn't let her embrace him—he wasn't strong enough to resist the next time.

-§§§-

      
          "Where did you end up going?" Alida asked.

"I stayed with my Dad for a few months, until his druggie girlfriend started stealing from me. I ended up selling all my shit and headed west. I was living outta my car the first year, but bugged the right people about my music and started playing gigs around the city. The next thing I knew I was signed and flying all over the place playing venues, and eventually sold out shows."