THE LAST DAY
303 Words
Today was the last day.
Not just of school.
Of everything that came with it.
The noise.
The expectations.
The versions of me I tried to be.
All of it ends here.
Everyone was excited.
Laughing.
Taking pictures.
Making promises they probably won't keep.
"I'll miss you."
"Let's stay in touch."
"We won't forget each other."
I listened.
People say those things like they mean them.
Maybe they do.
But meaning doesn't make things last.
Time doesn't care about promises.
It just... moves.
She stayed with me most of the day.
Like always.
Talking about the future.
University.
New beginnings.
"You'll be different there," she said.
Different.
I didn't ask what she meant.
Maybe she thinks I'll go back to who I used to be.
I won't.
That version of me didn't survive here.
There's nothing to go back to.
We sat together one last time.
Same spot.
Same silence.
"You're really going to disappear, aren't you?" she said.
I looked at her.
For once...
I didn't look away.
"I'm still here," I replied.
It wasn't a lie.
But it wasn't the truth either.
She smiled.
But it didn't reach her eyes this time.
"I hope so," she said.
Hope
Another thing people hold on to.
I don't.
Before leaving, she hugged me.
I didn't move at first.
Then...
slowly...
I let it happen.
It felt strange.
Not uncomfortable.
Not warm.
Just... unfamiliar.
When she pulled away, she looked at me like she was trying to memorize something.
"Don't forget me," she said.
I didn't answer.
Because I won't forget.
Forgetting isn't my problem.
Feeling is.
As I walked away, I didn't look back.
There was no reason to.
Everything I needed to leave behind...
I already did
This place didn't change me.
It revealed me.
And now
I'm ready for something new.
- Writer
