75| The Friends We Lost

"Here. Keep this box of medicine with you." Travis handed over the box to Zoey, which she kept it in her suitcase. She was packing for her flight tomorrow and Travis was helping her in doing that.

"Finally." Zoey said and closed her suitcase.

Travis helped her place the suitcase in a corner and then let out an exhausted sigh. "It's late. I should leave now." He said, slipping his hands into his pocket.

Zoey watched him turn around in sorrow. She wished they were still together and she had the right to stop him. Because she needed him right now. This day was already breaking her apart and all she needed was to cuddle in his arms.

"Travis," she finally gathered courage to speak.

"Yeah?" He asked.

"Stay." Zoey mumbled. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he contemplated what to do. Their eyes remained locked together throughout, with longing burning inside them.

"Zoey, it's not a wise thing to do. We are broken up for now, remember?" Travis said in a weak voice.

"I know." She said. "Just stay here, as a friend. I need this."

Travis hesitantly nodded and made his way to the bed. She excused herself to change into her night pyjamas and when she returned, Travis had already cozied himself under the blanket.

She switched off the lights and joined him on the bed. In the silent room, the only sound they could hear was the sound of each other's shallow breathing. She missed his scent, his strong hold, the way he used to make her knees weak by his kisses.

Leaving this place was the most difficult decision she ever made but she couldn't stay behind, not after what happened two months ago. This place will always remind Zoey of the friends she lost in the way, whether they died or lost the will to live. She needed to spend some time away, to heal herself.

But that didn't mean it didn't break her apart to leave Travis behind. Taking a break from this relationship was their mutual decision and it made both of them miserable in their own way.

Now, his presence on her bed reminded her of the good times they have had. When she couldn't hold it anymore, she scooted closer to Travis and wrapped her arms around his torso.

"Zoey---"

"Please. Help me sleep otherwise my thoughts will eat me alive." Zoey begged, staring at his face inches away from hers.

Extending his hand, Travis massaged her scalp slowly. His other hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her even closer. They breathed in each other's scent until sleep finally overpowered them.

••••••••••

"Don't each so much, fatso. And focus on your studies. At least one of us should go to college." Zoey ruffled Sam's hair and hugged him briefly.

"I will go to Harvard, just like Travis." Sam said in between the hug. She patted his back with pride.

Moving on, she reached Rose who was standing by the door and enveloped her in a hug. "Thanks, for everything." She said.

Rose hugged her back and there were tears in her eyes. Rose was the mother Zoey never had, although her own mother was alive. She was so dependent on Rose for everything that she didn't know how she will survive in Milan.

The next in line was her father, who had stress plastered on his face. Since the accident, Richard Crawford had changed a lot. Maybe he had realized that it could have easily been Zoey in Althea's place. He was scared to lose her.

"I still don't think you should go." He said. "Layla isn't responsible enough to take care of you."

"Don't worry. I don't have any high expectations from Mom." Zoey mumbled.

"You are getting late, Zoey." Travis' voice came from the door.

"Coming." She said and once again waved at everyone. Making her way to Travis' car, she seated herself on the passenger seat and he started the car.

"Stop in the cemetery. I have to say goodbye to her." She said and he nodded.

They stopped at a flower shop on the way and then Travis turned the car towards the cemetery. It took them almost half an hour to reach there.

With a heavy heart, Zoey entered through the steel gate, followed by Travis. Althea hated being alone and here she was, alone, many inches under the ground. It was not fair but then again, when was life fair?

She made her way towards a specific headstone and took the orchids from Travis. "She loved orchids. Roses were so middle class according to her." She said while a smile appeared on her mouth.

She read the words written on her tombstone.

Here lies Althea Madeline Harper.

Daughter. Sister. Friend.

Sitting on her feet, Zoey placed the flowers on her grave. She sat there frozen, staring at the huge piece of cement. Travis kept looking at her, expecting her to stand up any minute but when she didn't, he sat down beside her.

"Hey," he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Remember when you used to call me privileged?" She asked.

"Kind of." Travis replied.

Smiling, Zoey whispered, "I used to think the same about her. She was always more priviliged than me in many things. She had a functional family, a loving father, a good mother, an amazing brother and a guy that loved her insanely. She had flawless skin, her hair was beautiful, her grades were perfect, people loved being in her presence. She always got everything she wanted."

"I was always jealous of her. I wished I had her life, that there was a way I could exchange myself with her."

"There is no point in saying all this." Travis said to console her.

"She is dead, Travis. And I'm alive. We were in the same car but she died while I got lucky." She said as a lone tear rolled down her cheeks.

"It's not your fault." Travis said and pulled her in a hug.

"I know. It's just... I wish I wasn't this judgemental about her. I wish I could have treated her better." Zoey said in between silent sobs.

"She loved you, Zoey. And she knew you loved her too. It's natural to have such thoughts but you are a good person. You never wanted bad for her." Travis said to console her.

"I am a horrible person." She mourned.

"No, you are not. That Zoey is long gone. The Zoey I know has so much love in her heart. She is kind, amazing, gorgeous, humble and what not." Travis said.

"I wish it was true." Zoey said, not believing him.

"It is." Travis said and leaned closer to place a kiss on her lips. It was a short kiss but there was nothing friendly about it. It was from a guy very much in love, to a girl very much in love.

Before either of them could cross the dangerous territory they were stepping in, Zoey stood up and walked back to the car, giving one last look to the grave. Travis followed her and made his way to the driver seat.

The rest of the drive went silent. Letting her go was the hardest thing Travis had done. If it was up to him, he would stop her, beg her if he had to. But he couldn't be selfish, not when she suffered a huge loss just two months ago. Zoey needed to leave, to move on. This city couldn't offer anything else to her. It will always be a reminder of Althea's death. He had to give her the freedom to leave, even if that means crushing his own heart in hundred small pieces.

"Stop the car." He suddenly heard Zoey's voice.

"What? Why?" He asked in confusion.

"Just stop the car." Zoey said.

"Did you forget something at home?" Travis asked.

"Just stop the freaking car." Zoey shouted.

Not knowing what to do, Travis stopped the car in a corner and turned to her. She had hidden her face in between her palms.

"Zoey!" He patted her arm.

"I can't leave. I'm sorry. I thought I can but I can't." She mumbled, fighting the tears that were accumulating in her eyes.

"What happened?" Travis asked.

"People die, Travis. They keep waiting for the perfect moment, for perfect time and then they die." Zoey screamed in panic.

"Zoey!" He hugged to calm her panic. "Ssshhh, it's okay."

"No, it's not okay." Zoey said, pushing him away. "Milan can wait. People that love us can't. I need to be here, for Zachary. He lost a part of his whole being. Ethan hasn't left his home since her funeral. I need to be here for him. Althea would never forgive me for leaving both of them behind."

"Hey. Relax."

By now, tears were leaking out of her eyes uncontrollably. Her nose were swollen and her hands were trembling. "And you. I don't want to live in a world where there is no Travis Anderson. I love you and I don't want to spend another second away from you."

This was the first time Zoey had used the L word. For a second, Travis didn't believe his ears. "What did you say?" He asked.

"I said I don't want to spend another second away from you." She said.

"No, before that." He whispered.

Zoey gulped the ball of nerves down her throat, realizing what she just did. "I love you." She repeated.

Before she could say anything else, Travis pulled her towards him for a kiss. He had been waiting to do that since forever. The kiss was frustratingly long and passionate, and he made sure to pour all his emotions in that kiss. When they finally pulled apart, they both were a breathing mess, trying to send oxygen down to their lungs.

"I love you too." Travis said, resting his forehead against hers.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Next up is the epilogue.