Solene's thumb slipped across the screen, and before she realized it, the wrong button had been pressed. The ringing tone filled the quiet of the living room, echoing too loud, too sharp. She fumbled to cancel it, but the screen lit up—Jeremy's parents appeared.
Her heart sank. Their faces lit up, bright and cheerful, completely unaware of the storm waiting to break. She tried to smile back, but it felt paper-thin, like one wrong word could tear it apart.
"Heyyy, Solene!" they chimed together, their eyes warm, sunlight-bright. And all she could think was, I'm about to take that light away.
"Hi, James. Hi, Marie," she whispered. Her voice wobbled, barely there.
"How's our girl doing? You hanging in there?" James asked, all warmth and ease, like nothing in the world had changed.
She nodded, but her throat tightened. Her eyes stung, and the screen blurred for a second. God, she loved them. They weren't just Jeremy's parents anymore—they'd become part of her own family. That made it worse. The words sat heavy in her chest, crushing. They need to hear it from me, not from the news. But how do I say it?
Her heartbeat thundered, unrelenting. Each beat pressed harder against her ribs, until it was all she could hear. She looked at them—their trusting, kind faces—and the ground seemed to tilt beneath her.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" Marie asked, her smile faltering, a thread of worry weaving into her voice.
"I... I need to tell you something," Solene forced out. The words scraped her throat raw. Her hands shook, gripping the phone so tightly her knuckles whitened.
James leaned closer, his brows pulling together. "What is it, Solene?"
The screen blurred again as tears welled. She blinked hard, fighting to keep her vision steady. She wanted to speak, to explain, to let the truth spill free—but her tongue wouldn't move.
This was it. The moment that would split their lives in two.
"I got a call... about Jeremy..."
The silence that followed pressed down on everything—thick, suffocating, as though even the air refused to move.
Her chest seized, lips trembling. The rest of the words tangled in her throat, sharp and impossible. She couldn't force them out. Not yet. How do you look at two people you love and break their world in a single breath?
... 4 Days Earlier...
Jeremy sank into the sand, feeling the cool grains mold around his legs as he watched the waves roll in. The surf, calm earlier, was starting to swell with the pull of the full moon. He could almost feel the shift in the air. Tomorrow, the tide would show the beach's wilder side.
He pulled Solene closer, soaking in the warmth of her against his chest, her scent mixing with the salt in the air. A knot twisted in his stomach at the thought of leaving, but the steady crash of waves eased it little by little. He closed his eyes, letting the rhythm of the ocean wash through him.
A soft breeze brushed his skin, carrying her faint humming. He could feel it through his chest. For a moment, it was just her voice and the sea, and nothing else mattered.
Solene smiled faintly and nestled closer, listening to the steady beat of his heart under her ear. Being with him felt like stepping out of the rush of life, slipping into a pocket of stillness. Here, wrapped up in him, she had everything she needed.
She drew in a deep breath, catching the scent she knew by heart. It was always that green bottle—vanilla bean and warmth—that lingered on him. She had made him promise to leave it behind when he traveled, so she could spray her pillow and feel like he was still beside her. To her, it wasn't just cologne. It was him.
Her smile wavered as tears pricked her eyes. Everything was better with him, and now he was leaving. She brushed at her cheeks quickly, hoping he wouldn't notice.
But Jeremy did. He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs gentle on her skin.
"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked softly.
She tried to look away, not wanting him to see how much it hurt. This was their last night together. She didn't want to burden him with her sadness.
"Please, talk to me," he whispered, tilting her face back toward him. His eyes searched hers, full of worry.
"I—" The word caught in her throat. Her chest tightened, and the tears she'd tried to hold back slipped free. Jeremy reached into the beach bag and handed her a napkin. She took it, managing a small, shaky smile.
"I'm gonna miss you," she whispered at last, barely louder than the waves.
The words hung heavy between them. She hated letting him see her like this, but she couldn't hide it.
Jeremy's face fell. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. Her words pierced straight through him. Three years together, and now the coming months of being apart—it felt impossible. Still, he knew their love could carry it.
"I'm gonna miss you too," he murmured into her neck, his voice rough. Solene pressed closer, holding onto the steady thrum of his heartbeat. She knew how much this scholarship meant to him, yet her mind already shifted to the ache of his absence.
She'd be alone at home, surrounded by memories while he chased his dream. In time, his siblings would come stay with her, but for now the house would be quiet, and she dreaded it. She couldn't ask them to cut their trip short—it would be selfish, even though the thought made her stomach twist. She was already bracing herself for the silence, knowing Jeremy's studies would consume him. Biomedicine was his dream. She didn't need to understand the details to know that, but she knew love meant letting him go.
"But—you have to," she said softly, pulling back even though it hurt. She found his hand and squeezed it. He squeezed back, but his smile faltered.
"I wish I could be in two places at once," he said. The thought of leaving her unsettled him. He promised himself he'd call every day, even if only for a minute. They were each other's first, and that mattered.
He sighed, blinking fast. The thought of drifting apart scared him. But when she tucked herself against his neck, the fear eased. He kissed her forehead, determined to make these last hours count.
"I could hide in your luggage," Solene teased, trying to lighten the mood. "Then we could be together in Nevada."
Jeremy laughed at the mental image of her bones showing up on a TSA scanner. "Yeah, because that'd work out great."
Solene chuckled into his shoulder. "We just moved into the summerhouse, remember?"
"Why do you always have to be right?" She shook her head.
Jeremy flopped onto his back, staring up at the sky. "But guess what?" he said with a grin.
She crawled over and set her chin on his chest. "What?" she asked, smiling at his signature grin.
"It's only 10, so we still have time to kill," he said, eyes sparkling.
She rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. With Jeremy, there was always something unexpected.
"Like what?" she asked.
"Come with me and find out." He stood and offered her his hand. She hesitated only a second before taking it. She trusted him more than anyone in her life.
"Where to?" she asked, brushing sand from her clothes.
"Anywhere. It's California nightlife—there's always something to do." He swung their joined hands playfully.
She shot him a look. "You know my parents will call at 11:30. We can't be late."
"I promise we'll be back by 11:30," he said, grinning wider as he exaggerated the swing of their hands.
Solene burst out laughing, catching his subtle play on words. That could be anytime! They could enter the house at 11:29 and he would still be justified.
"Jeremy, nooo—we have to be home, inside, sitting at 11:30," she teased, emphasizing each word.
"That's exactly what I meant," he said, chuckling. His laughter spilled into the night, and for a moment, the weight lifted.
"Okay," she said at last, her voice softer now. "Because—while we still have each other here..." She trailed off, her smile tinged with sadness.
Jeremy planted a kiss on her lips, the kind that was both goodbye and promise.
When they finally broke apart, their eyes lingered on each other, as if trying to memorize every detail.
They gathered their beach bag and slowly made their way toward the car, their hands entwined. As they strolled across the sand, Jeremy squeezed her hand gently, the warmth of his touch grounding her once again. Solene glanced over at him, a small, bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. She tightened her grip in return, savoring the feel of his hand in hers, the comfort of his presence.
For that fleeting moment, she didn't want tomorrow to come.
... March 21 @ 5:26 pm...
"Attention, now pre-boarding all eligible passengers to Reno-Tahoe International Airport."
The announcement rattled Jeremy more than he wanted to admit. His scholarship to Reno was supposed to be a dream come true, but as departure drew closer, excitement tangled with nerves. Doubt had gnawed at him all through the drive, and now it pressed heavier than ever. Could he really compete with the best students in the country? The program was grueling, demanding brilliance and stamina. What if he didn't measure up? What if, after all the work he'd put in, he just wasn't enough?
The questions clawed at him, weaving into the heavier weight of leaving Solene behind. His passions—his future in biomedicine and the life he'd built with her—collided at a crossroads. One of them had to wait, and the choice felt heavier by the minute.
The idea of goodbye grew unbearable as time ticked on. He sat silently, watching pre-boarding passengers scan through the gate, his gaze catching on the line of military personnel following the wheelchair-assisted travelers. Their sacrifices, their families, their risks—it humbled him. Compared to that, his departure seemed small.
People said goodbye all the time—to loved ones, to old lives, even to the world itself. Remembering that steadied him for a moment. This wasn't permanent. Just six months. He would come back. The thought lightened the weight for a heartbeat—until it sank again, heavier.
A gentle squeeze on his arm pulled him back. He turned. Solene smiled at him, her eyes warm and steady. That smile twisted his chest, knotting his emotions tighter. He wanted to tell her everything he was feeling, but the words seemed too small, and he didn't want to drown her in his panic.
He glanced at the gate again—the door to Reno, to his future. This is what I've worked for, he reminded himself. This is the dream. But when he looked back at Solene, standing a few feet away with that soft, fragile smile, the dream suddenly felt smaller.
His heart twisted. The independence, the program, the next chapter—all of it seemed thin compared to her. The weight of leaving pressed down like stone. For a split second, the thought hit him: What if I didn't go? He imagined dropping his bag, walking to her, saying he couldn't do it. That he wanted to stay in the life they'd built. He clenched his jaw, forcing it away. No. I have to go.
But the thought wouldn't release him. What if this was a mistake? What if six months was too long? What if they couldn't get back to what they had now? His stomach knotted. The excitement he'd carried for Reno felt like it was slipping through his fingers, replaced by fear.
Jeremy inhaled sharply and clutched his ticket tighter. Phone. Keys. Ticket. Wallet. Sign-in papers. He checked again. And again. He always did this before big moments—ran circles until doubt tore holes in his confidence. His palms were slick, his breath shallow. What if I forget something? What if I fail? What if she's not here when I come back?
"I think you're boarding next," Solene whispered, brushing his hand gently.
"Yeah," he said, his voice thin.
Her eyes softened. She cupped his cheek, thumb stroking his skin. "Hey. Just trust yourself... like I trust you."
And then her lips met his.
The knot in his chest unraveled. The what-ifs, the panic—all of it melted into the warmth of her kiss. The noise of the terminal faded, leaving only her. When they pulled apart, Jeremy's lungs filled deeper than they had all morning. He leaned his forehead to hers, steadied, grateful beyond words.
"I'm really gonna miss you," he murmured, raw.
"I know." Her smile was soft but strong. "But you'll be fine. And I'll be right here when you get back."
Tears pricked his eyes. "I love you so much."
"I love you too," she whispered, brushing away the dampness on his cheeks before kissing him again—slower this time, tender, like a promise.
The overhead crackled: "Now boarding all other passengers to Reno-Tahoe International Airport."
It was time. Jeremy exhaled hard, pulling her close. Neither of them wanted to let go.
Then Solene's eyes widened. "Oh no!" She gasped, panic flashing. She grabbed his arm and hurried him toward the gate. Jeremy laughed as she scurried to pull him along with his carry-on. At the counter, she thrust his ticket forward, and the attendant scanned it in. Turning back, breathless, she faced him.
"This is it," she said quickly. "Be safe. And... I love you."
Jeremy crossed his arms, smirking. "Nah. I need to hear it again. Loud. And clear."
Solene's jaw dropped. "Jeremy—"
"I'm serious."
Her face burned. He couldn't be serious! Heat rushed through her, part embarrassment, part frustration, as her eyes darted around the terminal. People were everywhere—passengers watching curiously, flight attendants glancing over, wondering what the holdup was.
She glanced at her watch. The plane should've boarded five minutes ago. They didn't have time for this. But Jeremy wasn't moving. He was gonna be stubborn about it regardless. Her chest tightened as she drew in a breath, realizing she had no choice. If she didn't say it, his plane might leave without him. For a fleeting second, the idea was tempting—but no. He had to go.
She threw her head back and shouted, "I LOVE YOU, MR. SUMMERS! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH WITH ALL MY HEART!"
Laughter rippled through the terminal. Solene's cheeks flamed as she ducked into her hands. But Jeremy's grin lit up the room. He swept her into a hug, kissing her hair.
"You're insane," she muttered into his chest, laughing through her embarrassment.
"I know." He kissed her forehead, eyes soft.
"Go," she giggled through approaching tears, pushing him toward the tunnel even as her fingers lingered. Their hands slipped apart slowly, brushing one last time before breaking.
Jeremy turned back. Their eyes locked. For a heartbeat, the whole terminal fell away. His smile wavered—tender, scared. She lifted her hand, trembling, and he mirrored it before turning and vanishing into the tunnel.
The doors shut with a soft click.
Solene stayed frozen, her hand still raised, skin tingling with the memory of his touch. Then the tears came—hot, unrelenting, a waterfall she couldn't stop. She wiped at them quickly, unwilling to make a scene, but the ache in her chest only grew heavier.
She lingered in the terminal, rooted to the spot, longing for the presence that had just slipped away. Then—her phone buzzed.
A message from Jeremy.
The Uber's waiting outside. Get home safe.
Ding.
My plane's leaving now. I'll call when I'm settled in.
A tearful smile tugged at her lips. She typed fast:
Okay. Be safe. Come back to me, Smarty Pants.
Seconds later, her screen filled with a nerd emoji, then a heart.
She laughed softly through her tears, tucking her phone away.
Her new normal had begun.
There was no turning back now.
...Later That Night...
Bang!
Solene jolted awake, heart thudding, the clatter of the remote still echoing off the walls. She blinked groggily at the dark room, then down at the culprit on the floor. Of course. She'd promised herself she wouldn't fall asleep waiting for Jeremy's call—and broke that promise anyway.
Rubbing her face, she stood and shuffled into the kitchen, her limbs heavy, the silence pressing in too thick. The clock on the microwave glowed 2:30 a.m. Jeremy's flight had been hours long, with two layovers. He had to be just as exhausted.
She twisted the cap off her yeti water bottle, her thumb tracing the stickers along its side. A small heart with their initials caught the faint light. Matching sets. The thought tugged at her chest, both comforting and sharp.
RING! RING!
Her heart leapt. The water bottle nearly slipped from her hand. Jeremy!
She bolted from the kitchen, rushing back into the living room. Her phone vibrated wildly on the couch. She dove for it, landing with a bounce, excitement surging as his number lit the screen.
Without hesitation, she swiped to answer, her voice bright and teasing:
"Hey, Sleepy Head?"
Nothing. Only static.
Her smile faltered. She pressed the phone tight to her ear, pacing toward the window. "Jeremy? I can't hear you. Can you hear me?" Her voice sharpened with irritation—was this how every call was going to be while he was away?
Beneath the static, faint words broke through. Male. But not Jeremy.
Her stomach knotted. "Hello?" she whispered, her fingers white around the phone.
"Ma'am, who is the owner of this phone?"
The room chilled. Her skin prickled. "Who—who is this? Where's Jeremy? Why do you have his phone?"
"Ma'am, we need to locate any survivors."
The word slammed into her. Survivors. She stumbled back a step, her pulse hammering. "What are you talking about?" Her voice cracked. "What do you mean survivors?"
The line cleared slightly. "It's about the flight. Flight 6049."
Her breath caught. Her mind blanked—no connection, no sense. "Jeremy's flight?" she croaked, the words scraping her throat.
Her feet moved before her brain did. She spun toward the TV, fumbling for the remote with shaking hands. The screen flickered on—bright, too bright in the dark—and the scrolling banner caught her eye instantly:
Breaking News: Flight 6049 Has Gone Off Radar.
Her knees nearly buckled. The letters swam as her vision blurred, tears spilling hot and unrelenting.
"No... no, this isn't happening," she whispered, her voice strangled. The remote clattered to the floor, but the sound was swallowed by the pounding in her ears.
Her stomach twisted violently, and she staggered back toward the couch, clutching her phone like a lifeline. News stations get things wrong. They rush. They guess. It doesn't mean anything. With trembling hands, she opened the airline app, praying for a correction, for something different.
The numbers glowed at her through the blur of tears. Flight 6049. Status: Unknown.
Her breath hitched, sharp and shallow. "No. No, that's not real. It's wrong—it has to be."
The man's voice cut back through. "Ma'am, is Jeremy the owner of this phone?"
"Yes!" Solene cried, her voice cracking. "Yes, it's his. Please—where is he?!"
"When was the last time you saw him?"
"He—he got on his flight earlier, oh god—oh god—" The words broke apart as her chest heaved, panic tearing through her ribs. She pressed a hand against her stomach as if she could hold the sickness down.
"Miss, listen. Stay by your phone. Keep it charged. Do not turn it off. If anyone calls, ask for Sergeant Collins. Sergeant Thomas Collins."
The name barely registered. She whispered it back like a lifeline slipping through her fingers. "Sergeant... Collins." She seared it to her memory.
Then—silence. The line went dead.
"No—no, no!" Her fingers fumbled, frantic on the screen as she dialed Jeremy's number. Straight to voicemail. Her breath hitched violently.
Her phone buzzed in her hand. Low battery—10%. A crimson warning flashed like a countdown clock. Panic surged sharper. She scrambled off the couch, yanking cords from the wall, her hands trembling so badly she could barely fit the plug into the phone. After several failed tries, the screen finally glowed green, charging. She collapsed back into the cushions, her whole body shaking, the device clutched against her chest like it might vanish if she let go.
She forced a deep breath. Stay calm. You have to stay calm. The words repeated in her head like a command. She shut her eyes tight, trying to steady the hammering in her chest, counting silently—one, two, three. But by four her chest cinched tighter, her pulse skipping wild, and her breath fractured into short, ragged gasps.
Her mind spun in jagged circles, fighting itself. Planes don't just disappear. He's fine. He has to be fine. She whispered it out loud, each repetition thinner than the last. "He's fine... he's fine..." The sound of her own voice cracked like glass.
But her body betrayed her. Her hands shook uncontrollably, tears spilling hot and fast, sliding down her wrists. Her stomach churned so violently she thought she might be sick. No mantra, no breath-counting could hold it back.
The house pressed in on her. Too quiet, too still. The tick of the clock was a hammer in her ears. The low hum of the air conditioner rattled against her nerves. Every tiny sound grew monstrous, unbearable, crushing what composure she had left.
Solene buried her face in her hands, rocking forward, her sobs muffled against her palms. Her shoulders shook, each breath breaking into shallow gulps of air. "Please, Jeremy," she whispered hoarsely. "Please be okay. Please come back to me."
She tried to cling to reason, but reality was already seeping in, cold and merciless. The name Sergeant Collins. The news banner. The static. The word survivors.
Hope thinned to a thread. The fear wouldn't let go. It settled into her bones, heavy as stone, rooting her to the couch as her body quaked beneath it.
This wasn't a mistake.
This wasn't going away.
And there was nothing she could do.
...To Be Continued...
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