THE HEART I DIDN'T SEE

MY MIX EMOTION IN MY DEPARTURE

Scene: The morning sun streams through the window of Cristin's apartment, painting the room in a warm glow. Cristin sits at her kitchen table, a cup of coffee cooling beside her, her phone clutched in her hand.

Cristin: (her voice a soft whisper, a hint of relief in her tone) Mom, that sounds amazing! A vacation abroad? Yes, please!

Cristin: (hanging up the phone, a sigh escaping her lips)

Cristin: (her eyes flickering to a stack of neatly folded clothes on the bed, a sense of determination taking hold) It’s perfect. A chance to escape..

Cristin: (grabbing a notebook and pen, her thoughts racing)

Cristin: (writing a letter to Derek, her hand moving swiftly across the page)

Dear Derek,

I know this is sudden, but I’m leaving for a vacation abroad. My mom called this morning, and it seems like the perfect opportunity to get away from everything.

I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I’ll keep you updated.

Thank you for being such a good friend. I’ll always cherish our memories.

With love,

Cristin

Cristin: (writing a letter to Raven, her heart filled with a mix of gratitude and longing)

Dear Raven,

I’m leaving for a vacation abroad. I know I haven’t been myself lately, and I’m so grateful for your support. You’ve been a true friend, and I’ll never forget that.

I don’t know when I’ll be back, but I’ll write when I can.

With love,

Cristin

Cristin: (placing the letters on the kitchen counter, a sense of peace washing over her)

Cristin: (calling the maid, her voice firm) Please give these letters to Derek and Raven once I’m gone.

Maid: (nodding, her eyes filled with understanding) Of course, Miss Cristin.

Cristin: (packing her suitcase, a mix of excitement and sadness swirling within)

Scene: The interior of a plane, soaring high above the clouds. Cristin sits by the window, gazing at the vast expanse of blue, a mixture of excitement and melancholy swirling within her.

Cristin: (a soft sigh escaping her lips, her eyes tracing the wispy trails of clouds)

Cristin: (her thoughts drifting back to the cafe, to Derek, to Raven)

Cristin: (a bittersweet smile gracing her lips)

Cristin: (her mind replaying the scene of her confession, the pain of Derek’s rejection, the warmth of Raven’s embrace)

Cristin: (a tear rolling down her cheek, a sense of longing washing over her)

Cristin: (her gaze shifting to the small notebook in her lap, a pen clutched in her hand)

Cristin: (writing in the notebook, her words flowing freely)

Dear Diary,

I’m on my way to a new adventure, a new beginning. I’m trying to be excited, to embrace this opportunity to explore the world, to discover myself. But it’s hard to shake off the sadness, the pain of letting go.

Derek… I still love him, even though he doesn’t feel the same way. I know I need to move on, to let go of the past, but it’s not easy.

And then there’s Raven. He’s been such a good friend, such a source of strength. I’m so grateful for him. But I can’t help but wonder… is there something more? Is there a possibility for something deeper between us?

I’m scared, diary. I’m scared of the unknown, of the future, of what this journey will bring. But I know I need to do this. I need to find myself, to discover who I am, to learn how to love myself.

Maybe this journey will lead me to a new love, a new friendship, a new beginning. Maybe it will lead me back to where I belong.

Only time will tell.

Love,

Cristin

Cristin: (closing the notebook, a sense of determination filling her heart)