Love Will Tell Us Where To Go

“He hasn’t been there long.” she told me. “I haven’t heard anything other than that. They called me because he was in my car. Oh, Megan…I’m so stupid. I shouldn’t have…I’m so sorry.” “I have to go.”

“How soon do you think - “

“I’m getting on the first flight they have. I have to go…now. Keep me updated, okay? Anytime you hear anything new, no matter how small, you call me. Text me. Anything.” I hung up without another word. I began gathering all of my stuff but soon felt overwhelmed. I have so much stuff.

I don’t have time for this.

I called the lobby and tried my best to calmly ask if someone could help me with my luggage and maybe even get me to the airport. Of course I failed miserably, but they did help me, and that’s all that matters.

As soon as I got to the airport I ran. The hotel cab transportation was nice enough to keep my luggage until I got a ticket. As soon as I got to my destination, I was stopped dead in my tracks. There was a long line.

This of course caused me to be even more frantic when it was finally my turn. “One ticket to Minneapolis. As soon as possible. Like, now, preferably.” The woman behind the counter checked quickly and replied, “One a.m. tomorrow.”

“No. No, there has to be one sooner.” She checked again, but nothing changed. “I’m sorry, but the soonest one I can get you is for one a.m. Would you like it? Ma’am, are you alright?” Tears fell down my face as I held back from fully crying. I didn’t want to talk, so I simply nodded as I took out what I needed to pay for it.

I walked back to the car and told the driver the news. “I’m sorry.” she replied. “I can take you back to the hotel and bring you back later” I shook my head. “I’ll stay here.”

“Are you sure? You’ll be here for so long. I’m sure I can work out a deal where you can stay in your room longer.”

“It’s fine. I don’t feel like going back.”

She insisted that I go back, but I refused. Finally, she helped me with my bags and took me to a cafe. I stayed there for what seemed like the longest time, but it was only about an hour and a half. That was when I got my first update.

“They have him in a room. He has a concussion and a broken leg. They’re checking other stuff to and said they will keep him in the hospital for at least twenty four hours if not more. It all depends.”

“How did this happen?”

“I’m sorry, Megan. He was hanging out at my house and he begged me to let him drive my car. I was going to go with him, but Niall and I were going to video chat so he insisted that he go by himself. He was coming back from an art gallery. I don’t know the details besides the fact that he hit a tree. I’m so - “

“Have you seen him?”

“Not yet. I will after they get through checking him over. I’ll call you then. I’m sure you can talk to him on the phone.”

“He’s fine.” I said trying to convince myself. “Everything is going to be fine.” There was silence for a few seconds. She finally spoke up and said, “I feel horrible.” The break in her voice gave away that she was crying or at least on the verge. “It’s not your fault.”

“Yes it is. Don’t even try to make me feel better because that just makes me feel worse. I shouldn’t have let him go. Or I should have gone with him. I am so stupid and so sorry.”

“I’m serious, Chloe. I don’t blame you. Thank you for being here for me. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you. You’re the best friend anyone could ever ask for and I love you. Don’t forget that.”

“I love you too. And Megan, you’re the best friend anyone could ask for. Don’t forget that yourself.”

“We could video chat right now if you want.”

“I don’t have my laptop. I have my phone, obviously, but…have you eaten?” I paused before answering. “Well…”

“You need to eat!” she commanded. “Seriously. Eat. You’re going on a practically nineteen hour plane ride and you won’t get here until like, five in the morning on Monday. You can’t not eat.

I knew she was right, but I didn’t feel like eating. Still, I agreed and got something. It turned out that I was hungrier than I thought. I ate my little sandwich quickly and then got something to go with it. I decided to wait a while for coffee.

Hours passed and I hadn’t heard back from her. I ended up calling her back myself. “What’s going on? Have you seen him yet?”

“I’m trying! First they said I couldn’t because they were still watching him and needed to be alone, but now they’re saying I’m not related so I can’t. I’m trying to explain that I’m all he has right now but nothing is working. I was going to call, I just didn’t want you to worry.”

“That’s ridiculous. Why can’t they just - ” I took a deep breath. “Thank you. For trying. Just….if you can keep trying - “

“Don’t even think that I’m giving up. I’m getting in that room one way or another.”

A long silence followed. I haven’t been able to shake the feeling that this is all a horrific nightmare ever since that call. Everything feels more unreal now than ever. This morning feels like days ago and I just want to wake up.

“He’s going to be fine, Megan.”

I didn’t reply.

“Megan…I’m serious. I know this is horrible, but I promise, he really will be - he is fine. Are you still there?”

“It’s my fault.” I swallowed hard as I held back tears. I doubt anyone would notice, or at least care, but I knew if I started it would be so hard to stop.

“No. Do not say that. You are not the one that was driving that car. You didn’t let him do it either.”

“He called me so many time. If I had just talked to him…we could have been video chatting. Then he wouldn’t have…”

“Don’t.”

“You know I’m right.”

“I know that you are blaming yourself when you shouldn’t be. He assumed you were upset after talking to your mom. He just wanted to talk to you. He wasn’t mad. He would have done it even if you had called. And besides…you know he wouldn’t want you to be like this. So if for no other reason, do it for him.”

“Do what? Lie to myself?”

“He’s stubborn, Megan. Just like you. Don’t blame yourself for something you had no control over and couldn’t have known would happen. And believe me, I’m sure he’s much more angry at himself than you are.”

I still wasn’t convinced, but I let it go. I wanted to talk to her some more, but at the same time, it was more important for her to find a way to see him. As soon as I was alone again, I rested my head and took a nap.

Time passed by slowly and yet fast at the same time. I checked my phone so much I felt like I was going crazy. I could barely focus on anything else without checking again, and again. And it was all for nothing.

All day I had waited to get on the plane. Yet there I was, minutes away from finally getting what I wanted, and all I wanted was more time. Of course getting on the plane gets me one step closer to him, but I need to hear his voice. I need to hear from him that he is alright.

As badly as I wanted that, life had other plans. Life is far from perfect. Or so I thought. I began walking to my plane on the last call, mere steps away from boarding when it happened. My phone rang.

I stopped suddenly causing someone to run into me. “Miss, you need to get on the plane.” a woman near me said.

I ignored her as I let out a small gasp. It is her. Chloe is calling. I answered it despite being told that I only had a small amount of time. I don’t care. That’s all I need. “Please have good news.”

“I do!” she exclaimed, finally sounding like the Chloe I love. “They finally let me in the room. You would not believe how difficult it was! Don’t worry, though. Once I - “

“I don’t have time Chloe. I need to board the plane like, three minutes ago. I need to talk to Harry.”

“Of course! He’s right here.”

My heart was beating fast as I impatiently waited to hear the voice I love so much. All day as I waited I imagined what he’d say to me. I knew he would lie and tell me he was better than he really was. I was sure that he would try his best to convince me that everything was going to be fine and that I shouldn’t blame myself. He’d tell me how much he loves me and can’t wait to see me. He’d tell me that everything is going to be perfect when I get back.

I listened intently to the sound of the phone being exchanged followed by silence. I denied what I knew had happened and continued to not move despite the annoyed people brushing past me.

“You really need to get on the plane, miss.”

I forced myself to look at the phone which had died at the most inconvenient time possible. I stuck the now useless phone in my purse and got on the plane. I know that life is not fair, but sometimes it really is unnecessarily cruel.

Notes