page109 (1/2)

What? No That can’t be right

I try again and again, what feels like a thousand ti for a different outcoe

I have no how idea howoutside his apart to call hi else I can do but leave

Tears fall as I walk to the elevator and take it up to my apartment Freddie opens the door as I approach, but I can’t even muster a ”thank you” as I step inside to the dark loneliness

It’s ironic, really, since people flurry around everywhere doing God knohat at this hour of the night But I’ve never, ever felt this alone in my entire life Not even when my parents and my brother, Luca, all left me behind

Heidi stands fro me the first form of real affection I’ve had froht years of my life

She hugs ht do

“Oh, Raquel I’m sorry”

I shake ainst the pain and let the tears fall down my cheeks unchecked

“He came here earlier”

I jerk back quickly “He did?”

She nods sole”

“Leaving?” I question brokenly “For good?”

Eyes full of pain and hands rubbing coly up and down my arms, Heidi nods And my world falls apart

He’s been the one stable thing in my life since…well, forever

He’s been there for me in a way that no one ever has Not my parents, not my brother, not my team, and maybe most shamefully, not even myself

I thought this baby would be one of the hardest things to deal with I didn’t knoould ht to my life

I never expected it would bring so much peace But it did

It brought hes

And I’ain

The ust 16th, 7:30 am

Raquel