82. Sick of Pretending

MEGHAN

One month later,

I promised myself I wouldn't cry and try to understand where he was coming from, but it still hurt to see him go.

"I will visit every chance I get, Maggie," he had said, kissing my forehead.

"But you said you'd be in intense training and won't be able to visit," I sobbed.

He said nothing because what I said was true. So why was he making empty promises? It would only make things harder on me.

And then he was gone, and I was all alone again.

This past month felt like it went in slow motion. Adrian called me every night, and we tried to do video chats, but it wasn't the same.

I missed his touch, I craved it.

Mom told Adrian and me not to say anything to Steve because it might make things worse, so we kept our relationship a secret from him. Finally, Adrian promised her that we'd break up before he left for Alaska, and mom didn't question him any more. Maybe when he comes back, we'll find a different way to be together.

"Maggie! Luke is here!" my mom called from t