Sera

SERA

All of us could feel the tension in the room instantly changing as Aaron and I stared at each other.

“Let's leave the lovers to themselves,” Sophie declared, breaking the temporary silence as she dragged Susan alongside with her. “Mrs Hardin, we would like to talk to you.”

Mom gave me an apologetic look and mouthed “Sorry” before following both Susan and Sophie into the kitchen.

“Well, aren't you gonna at least try to defend yourself?” Aaron asked coldly, folding his long arms across his chest as he glared down at me.

I opened my mouth to say something, but didn't know what to say.

That was exactly the reason why I didn't tell him… I didn't know how.

He scoffed and threw his hands up in the air in exasperation and resignation. “I'm not doing this.”

He began to walk down the stairs.

Pausing at the bottom of the stairs, he gave me another stare then sighed and walked up to me. He placed his hand on my jaw and lifted it up so that our gaze met.

Tears began to roll down my cheeks.

Why on earth was I crying right now?

He wiped my tears with his masculine thumb.

“Talk to me.” He said softly.

“I… I didn't know how…” I said in a cracking voice, returning my eyes to the ground. “I didn't know how to tell you. I knew how you would feel if I told you… so I didn't…”

“Hey, it's fine.” He cut me off softly. “We can still talk to your mom, right?”

I sniffled softly, “Susan and Sophie are talking to her as we speak.”

“Come on,” He took my hand in his, then gave me that charming smile of his, revealing his cute dimples, making my heart flutter as usual. “Let's go help them out.”

Hand in hand, the both of us walked into the kitchen.

“Alright, Mrs Hardin, if your mind about moving to New York is already made up,” Sophie was saying to Mom as we walked in, “How about you leave Sera here and move to New York by yourself.”

“Yeah, that's a great idea!” Susan gushed hopefully.

Mom shook her head, “Nope! Nuh uh! Sera is coming with me. And that's that!”

“Mrs Hardin,” Aaron called out, making the three of them turn their head towards us. “Please, reconsider.” He pleaded, a tone of desperation in his voice. “I beg of you.”

“I'm sorry, Aaron,” Mom said apologetically.

I wonder if she was really sorry.

“Sera is coming with me to New York.” A tone of finality laced to her voice. “I won't be having this conversation with any of you again. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a dinner to make.”

She turned to the gas cooker in an act of dismissal.

Susan and Sophie exchanged glances of hopelessness.

“Mom, are you seriously gonna take everything away from me?” I demanded angrily, “We're here, begging you with all our hearts, and you've refused to hear our plea, how can you be such a heartless, selfish bitch?!”

Susan gasped in shock while a smile creased Sophie's lips.

“Sera one, Mrs Hardin zero.” I heard Sophie whisper to Susan.

“So, because you found love, I'm gonna have to pay the price? Just like that, you're gonna take…”

“Sera, that's enough!” She screamed at the top of her lungs, making all of us jump out of our skin. “Get out, all of you!” She pointed to the exit, “Out!”

Sophie and Susan scurried out while Aaron and I walked out hand in hand.

“See? I told you it wouldn't work.” I said to Susan solemnly.

Their faces were full of disappointment.

“At least it was worth a try,” Susan replied.

“Can't believe this.” Aaron muttered under his breath, letting go of my hand and dashing out of the house.

“Aaron!” I called out, chasing after him. But God, he was too fast, I couldn't catch up with him. “Aaron, wait! Aaron, please wait!”

He suddenly came to a halt and swept his hair back in frustration.

“Aaron, why did you run off like that?” I asked, a little breathlessly.

“Are we done?”

“What?”

“Are you going to break up with me?”

“What? Of course not!”

“But you're moving to New York! This is all so… so… so sudden! How on earth am I supposed to deal with this? Huh? Tell me! Tell me, Sera…”

“Calm down, I'm not breaking up with you.” I cut him off. “I will NEVER break up with you, Aaron. Because I love you.”

He paused and seemed to calm down a bit.

Suppose telling him I love him worked.

“We can still do long distance,” I said, trying to sound hopeful, even though I wasn't. I closed the space between us, “Hey, we got this. We can make plans.”

And plans we made.

We decided to try long distance.

We promised that we would call and talk to each other every day. We also promised that we would work our ass off to get accepted into Princeton like we initially planned, where we both can reunite.

And the girls, too, I made plans with them.

Since we had very little time before my departure, I spent most of the time with Aaron and the girls, who were the saddest.

Abram has been calling my number, but I've been ignoring all of his calls… can't deal with him.

And then the day for our departure finally arrived.

Sophie, Susan and Aaron came to see me off.

“I'm gonna miss you so so much!” Susan said in a cracking voice, hugging me tightly. “You better not make new friends and forget us, okay?”

“‘kay.” I nodded, wiping the slight drop of tears in my eyes, “I'm gonna miss you too.”

Susan and I hugged for a while before Sophie and I hugged.

“If you ever make new friends and forget us, I swear to God, I'm gonna slit your throat,” Sophie said in jest, and I chuckled slightly.

“I won't.” I muttered, “I promise.”

“You better!” She sighed, embracing me tightly, “I'm gonna miss you, bitch.”

“I'm gonna miss you, too.”

After a while, we broke the hug, and it was time for Aaron.

“I won't be saying goodbye.” He said, trying to sound okay, but I know he wasn't. “Because I'll be seeing you soon… right?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Come here,” He leaned in and crushed his lips on mine.

It was a long, deep, sensual kiss.

Almost a goodbye kiss.

I suddenly broke it as I began to get breathless.

“I'll miss you, Pookie.”

“I'll miss you, too.”

I waved at them as I got into the car, which immediately began to drive away.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I stared at them, the street, our neighbor's pretty picket fence, our other neighbor’s annoying kids playing outside the street, the other old grumpy neighbor watering his garden… I'll miss them all.

Goodbye, Los Angeles… Goodbye everyone.

And fuck you, Mom!

(Forgive me for swearing)