A Reunion Of Broken Hearts

A Bittersweet Departure (Annika Cunningham)

We had no regrets...

~Seventeen years ago~

~ June 20, 2018 ~

"You don't need to leave," my mother said for what felt like the hundredth time that day, her voice laced with a mix of frustration and concern.

"You promised you wouldn't stop me," I reminded her, keeping my tone calm but firm. "Also, you already agreed that I could."

She rolled her eyes, wrapping her cardigan tighter around her shoulders as if shielding herself from the situation entirely. "Well, I didn't think you were serious."

"Why wouldn't I—never mind," I muttered, trying to keep my composure as I wrestled with my last suitcase, struggling to zip it closed. The weight of everything I was leaving behind seemed to sit heavily on the fabric, just as my mother's words pressed against my chest.

My mother had always been like this—calculating, meticulous, with a perfect plan for everything. Well, for him, at least. For Mattheo, who had always been her focus. The rest of us were expected to fall in line, and when we didn't, she made a big deal out of it. She hated it when things didn't go exactly the way she envisioned them.

"Why do you insist on leaving anyway?" she asked, her voice tinged with exasperation.

I took a deep breath, fighting the urge to snap at her. I knew her concern came from a place of control, not care. "Everyone at the academy wants me gone," I said, walking over to her and placing my hands on her shoulders, hoping my calm demeanor would ease the tension. "I don't think I can survive another two years her- there."

I pulled her into a side hug, feeling the stiffness in her posture. "I think it's time we leave. Plus, I'm still doing the courses online, so you don't have to worry about me not graduating." I could feel her body relax slightly at that—she hated uncertainty, especially regarding my future.

"Fine," she said reluctantly. "But you must keep your part of this little deal."

I could hear the hesitation in her voice, and it almost felt like an unspoken ultimatum. "Thank you, Mother," I said, trying to convey sincerity, though I couldn't help the small sigh that escaped me as I gently nudged her toward the door. "Now, I need to finish packing before the others get home."

That was another thing—she always had so much to say about everything. Sometimes, it felt like she didn't know how to let go of anything, including me. I closed the door in her face before she could respond.

As much as I loved her, she could be a lot to handle. And it was time for me to finally step away.

_________________________________

"You have the card I gave you, your plane ticket, money?" Dad asked as Zayne slid my last bag into the trunk of the car, his brow furrowed with concern.

I rolled my eyes, the weight of the moment pulling at me. "Father, I have everything; stop worrying." I forced a smile as I gave him one final hug. It was meant to be reassuring, but the tightness in my chest made it feel almost unnatural. "It's not like I'm leaving forever."

He sighed, holding me a moment longer than necessary. "You promise to stay in contact?"

"Of course," I assured him, but even I knew it was a half-truth. The reality was, I wasn't sure when—or if—I'd ever really return.

Zayne had already packed up the last of my things, and he turned to me, giving me a questioning glance.

"That's everything?" he asked, sounding more exasperated than worried.

"Yeah, let's go." I didn't look back as I started walking toward the car door.

"You make sure you take care of my daughter," Dad called out to Zayne, his voice firm with that old protective instinct. But there was something about it that felt... like a formality. I didn't believe for a second that he thought Zayne could do better than he had.

"I will, sir," Zayne said, with just enough confidence to make it clear he wasn't intimidated by my father.

I forced a smile, biting back the thought that Zayne had done more for me than my father ever had.

I waved at them with a bright smile as I got in the car, making sure to show my parents a facade of happiness. But once I was inside and Zayne shut the door behind him, the mask slipped.

I leaned back into the seat, the weight of what I was leaving behind pressing down on me. "Are we really doing this?" I asked, the uncertainty creeping into my voice despite my best efforts to stay composed.

Zayne glanced over at me, his expression steady, but there was something in his eyes—maybe it was the same doubt I was feeling. "It's for the best," he said softly, the words more for both of us than anyone else.

He told the driver to start the car, and as we pulled away, I turned to look at my parents one last time. They were already fading into the distance, their figures becoming smaller as we drove farther and farther away.

It felt like I was watching a piece of myself being left behind. But maybe that was the point.

It's best for us, right?

💼🔥🖤