Fly Bye

Just a short little blob.

We parked the car and meandered our way into the airport. On the way all sorts of small talk was made. We asked each other simple questions that just skimmed the surface, like that of a stone you’d throw out into the distance as kid. Hoping that it’d never stop.

“So, do you know what the weather is going to be like when you land?”

“What do you have going on later today?”

As we neared towards the time to part ways I could feel my heart pounding in my chest and my breath hastening ever so slightly. Our feet came to a stop as we stood in front of the final security checkpoint. Without a single exchange of words we came together for a hug. Our arms wrapped around each other soaking in every last feeling of the moment. Her warmth that once enveloped me was replaced by the coldness of air that now filled the space between us as we let go of each other. Her eyes meet mine and I could see her lips begin to move. They separated ready to speak the words my ears did not want to hear. My right hand held on to her sleeve loosely not wanting to let go.

“Goodbye Elliot” she said clearly and softly.

I paused.

“Goodbye Sam.” I returned.

A sliver of a moment passed as our eyes remained locked. Until finally she nodded softly and turned. My hand finally letting her jacket slip from my fingers.

I brought my burning palms to a cool, chipped handrail in front of me. My eyes followed her as she made her way through the terminal. Her silhouette purely visible at first. She donned a worn brown overcoat and had a black suitcase at her side. All of it moving further and further from me. Slowly, I could see the fringes of her hair twirl as her head and shoulders turned to face me. Her eyes reached out to mine and the image of her with innocent gleaming eyes, an unwavering smile, and a waving hand became permanently imprinted into my mind and memory. Between the lump in my throat and the racing thoughts in my mind I could feel the corners of my mouth, against all odds, trudge their way up into a meek smile. She waved one final goodbye and turned away to walk into the dense crowd of people. Her brown coat became a small speck in the sea of colors. My eyes yearned to see her closer, to see her every detail, but I was stymied as I could no longer hear the clacking of her boots or see the fringed brown coat. I stood and watched slowly as the once clear silhouette turned into a blobbed brown figure, then a barely visible brown line as all her features condensed into one, and then finally nothing as she disappeared into the airport’s shuffling crowd. I was left with the silence of the bustling airport. Sounds of people exchanging goodbyes or welcoming hugs, varying footsteps peppering about into the air as people walked leisurely or quickly to get to their flights. I looked around to see the entire building engulfed in sunlight. Crisp beams of light pierced through the large windows illuminating everything in a warm yellow bliss. I could feel the sun’s warmth press into my clothes heating them and my skin. On my face small wet droplets made their way from my eye, to the red irritated skin on my cheeks, and into the fabric of my shirt, absorbed and lost forever.

“Goodbye Sam.” I whispered to myself finally before heading home, alone.

Author's Note

Excuse the inconsistence tense and random grammatical errors or typos. Thanks!

Reviews

[Kane Hagwood]

That last little bit was pretty well written, and this story as a whole could really be expanded upon. There a plenty of possible threads with this missed connection story. But is it even a missed connection story? Perhaps a stalker? Or.... some other third thing? Either way, this was a funny little read. A little sad at the end, too. If I were him and that dazzled by someone's beauty, I'd put in more of an effort to hustle there way and maybe get their number. But that's just me though! Nice work :)

[ekostim]

Thanks for the review! I thought this was really helpful and added some more to it/changed it about (for better or for worse). So thanks

[Kane Hagwood]

That's awesome! I'm glad it helped you expand on the start of a creative story. I'll have to give it a read through and see how this turns out!

[Kane Hagwood]

Oh, I LOVE this! And it also makes me even more sad somehow! Here's hoping these two find their way back to one another. You really have a developing voice in your work, so don't be afraid to use it (if that makes any sense). For constructive criticism, know that it is completely my opinion, and you should ALWAYS trust your judgement as a writer first. You know your work best, and don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

You could strengthen certain parts and replace the adverbs. Instead of
“Goodbye Elliot” she said clearly and softly.
You could try something with a little more foundation, like:
“Goodbye Elliot” she spoke with softness.

That is just a weak example, but you get the point. Nice rework you did here, and keep up the great work. I'd love to read more of your stuff in the future :)