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“Are you happy there?” He said as he sat next to me on our high school’s bleachers.
“In LA? Yeah, I mean I’m living what I’ve always dreamed of. How could I not be happy?” Dorothea started to ramble. It would be dumb of her to not be happy.
“But are you happy?” Evan looked at her with his deep brown eyes. “I can tell when you are lying Thea. Your smile looks forced.”
That’s when she broke down sobbing into his shirt.
“I have everything I’ve ever wanted-“ she said trying to catch her breath. He ran his fingers through her hair. “But everyone wants something from me now. I’m an object to be used and disposed I’m of.”
“It’s okay. I don’t want anything from you.” He whispered like he did seven years ago in the same spot.
“I don’t want to do this anymore.”
“Then don’t.” He turned her face towards him, “stay. Your mom isn’t here to force you into that world. You can choose. No matter what you decide. I’ll be there. It’s never too late.”
“I-“ she hugged him. She hugged him as though he would disappear in a flash. Nothing was stopping her. She could stay.
“Do you want me to stay?”
“I want you to be happy. If you are happier here, then I’ll never let you go like I did seven years ago.”
She took his face in her hands and kissed him. “I love you Evan. I love you.”
He kissed her back and she pulled him towards her.
“Thea, I love you too. I never want to let you go. Please don’t leave like last time.” He hugged her close with tears in his eyes.
They had just graduated highschool when she broke the news to him. She was going to be an actress. He was elated for her, but right before she left she kissed him. He wanted what was best for her, but it felt like his world was ripped apart. Like he had felt pure bliss only for it to be ripped away from him the moment after. Her face visibly became sadder when she came back. On screen she was the beautiful glistening Doraethea, but she looked like the life was sucked out of her in person. He had comforted himself because he thought she was happy. He thought she was doing well and living her dream. It all came crumbling down when he realized the truth of it all. After a few weeks she was back and she truly seemed happy. She was back to being Thea. The star that brightened his life. All he wanted was for her to continue to shine. Even if it wasn’t with him.
He flashed back to the current moment and heard the single greatest words he thought he’d never hear. “I’ll never leave. I’m here to stay. I’m finally home.” He kissed her under her ear so he could still keep holding her. She was home. She was finally, truly home.