60. Langdon
Sixty
Langdon
I ’m lying on my bed thoroughly bored when Delia barges through the door in a flurry of movement and squeals.
“Hey, babe, I was just thinking about you. You seem awfully excited to go back to RootBound now that swim season’s over.”
She flops on top of me on the bed and peppers my entire face with kisses. “Don’t be daft. I am not not excited to see Viv again and work but that is not what I’m worked up about.”
I wrap my arms around her and burrow my fingers into her sides until she’s cursing and laughing so hard that her whole body is convulsing.
“What is it then?” I ask still tickling her. She can’t get a word out she’s wheezing with laughter so hard.
She manages to break from my hold and pins my hands to the bed.
“I got into my top pick!”
Delia’s eyes gleam with excitement as she stares down at me, her breath coming in short bursts. As jolt of anticipation courses through my veins, mirroring the electric energy radiating from her.
“That’s incredible, Delia!” I exclaim, my voice infused with genuine enthusiasm. “What’s your top pick?”
Her grip tightened on my hands as she leaned in closer, her eyes shining with unbridled joy.
“U of M,” she says breathlessly. “I have a full ride if I swim for them. A full flipping ride.”
“That’s amazing. And not super far.”
She collapses to the side of me and stares up at the ceiling still breathing hard.
“Did you run here or something? Why are you so out of breath?”
She giggles.
“What the heck is going on? Why’s everyone screaming and hollering?”
“Anderson! Out!” I yell and at the same time Delia sits up and says, “I’m going to U of M. It’s really exciting.”
Anderson pouts. “For who? You and Lang are leaving and I’ll have no one to hang out with.”
My face contorts in confusion.
“Buddy, what are you talking about?” I ask.
“You’re leaving me all alone.”
Delia leaps off the bed and scoops Anderson into a bear hug. “Dude. I won’t be far. You can even come visit if you want. And I’ll be home plenty. Just think… you’ll finally get all of the attention here. No more boring Langdon to interfere with your parent’s time.”
He pushes back from her slightly, his eyes a little watery.
“Yeah, bud, Dad will have all the time in the world to hang with you. And I won’t be far either you know. I’ll be home plenty I promise. And I can take you to visit D if you want.”
Both their heads whip around to face me.
“You picked a school?” Delia asks as her eyes widen in surprise.
Nervousness bubbles inside me. I haven’t committed to a school yet but I got into the Architect Institute and it’s my top choice.
“Yeah. I got into The Architect Institute. I really wanna go.”
“Why wouldn’t you?” she asks. “Is it too expensive?”
I shake my head. “No. I got enough aid to make it all work.”
“Then what?” she pushes.
“It’s an hour from U of M,” I say.
Anderson whines. “Oh my God you two. Gross. Anderson—out.” He scuttles away from Delia and slams the door behind him.
Delia furrows her brow and lies down next to me again. “What’s wrong with that?”
I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. Delia’s question hangs in the air, heavy with anticipation. I trace the patterns on the ceiling, avoiding her gaze for a moment before finally speaking.
I begin hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper.
“An hour feels like… like a lifetime when it comes to being away from you.”
Delia’s eyes widen mirroring the emotions swirling within me. She props herself up on her elbows, concern etched onto her face. “Langdon, what are you talking about? We’ve been through so much together. An hour won’t change that.”
I exhale quietly, grappling for words that would eloquently express my deepest fear without pushing her away. “It’s not just about the physical distance. It’s about what that distance represents… the potential for things to change.”
She watches me intently, waiting for me to continue. The room feels suffocatingly silent as my mind races with doubts and insecurities. Finally, I summon the courage to lay out my inner turmoil.
“What if we drift apart? What if our lives take different paths and we break up? What if you meet someone else? I’m scared of losing you, Delia,” I admit.
Delia’s face softens, her eyes brimming with understanding. She reaches out, gently intertwining her fingers with mine, grounding me in her presence. “Langdon, I understand your fears. It makes me nervous too, but love isn’t measured by the physical proximity between us. It’s about the choices we make to stay together.” She leans in closer, her voice carrying a newfound conviction. “Langdon, no matter how far apart we are, we will always find our way back to each other. I can’t promise you a future without any obstacles or challenges, but I can promise you that I will choose you every single day.”
Her words echo in the depths of my heart, resonating with a profound truth. I cup Delia’s face in my hands, her eyes shimmering with a mixture of vulnerability and determination. Our foreheads rest gently together as we breathe in sync—a silent affirmation of our unbreakable bond.
“Delia,” I whisper, my voice filled with a newfound clarity. “All of you.”
“All of you too, idiot.”