part 15:a night before separation

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The final days of summer slipped by, and before they knew it, Zack's departure was just around the corner. The looming reality of the long-distance relationship weighed on both of them, but neither wanted to dwell on it. Instead, they spent every possible moment together, making memories they could hold onto when the distance became too much.

On the evening before Zack was set to leave for college, they decided to have one last, quiet night together. Zack drove them to their favorite spot—a secluded overlook just outside of town where the stars always seemed a little brighter and the world a little quieter.

As they sat on the hood of his car, staring out at the distant horizon, Diana could feel the weight of their impending goodbye pressing down on her. She hadn't realized just how hard this would be until now, sitting here with Zack, knowing that tomorrow he'd be gone.

"Feels weird, doesn't it?" Zack said softly, as if reading her thoughts. "Knowing that tomorrow everything changes."

Diana nodded, her eyes still fixed on the sky. "Yeah, it does. I thought I was ready for it, but now..."

Zack turned to her, his gaze gentle but serious. "You don't have to be ready. None of this is easy. But just because it's hard doesn't mean it's the end."

Diana felt a lump rise in her throat, the words catching in her chest. She didn't want to cry, didn't want to make this moment about sadness when they still had tonight. But it was impossible to hold back the emotions that had been building up for weeks.

"I'm going to miss you so much," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Zack pulled her closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I'm going to miss you too, Diana. Every day. But we'll figure it out. We'll make it work."

Diana rested her head against his shoulder, the warmth of his body grounding her in the moment. "I don't want you to think I'm giving up or anything. I just—sometimes I'm scared, you know? That it'll be too much."

Zack was quiet for a moment, his hand gently rubbing her arm. "I get it. I'm scared too. But fear's not enough to stop me from trying. I want this, Diana. I want us."

Diana lifted her head to meet his gaze, her heart aching at the intensity in his eyes. He meant every word, and despite all her fears and doubts, she did too. She couldn't imagine her life without him in it, even if it meant navigating the challenges that came with being apart.

"I want us too," she said softly, her voice steady now. "No matter how hard it gets."

Zack smiled, his eyes full of that same warmth that had always drawn her in. "Good. Then we're on the same page."

They sat in silence for a while after that, the weight of their unspoken fears and hopes lingering in the air. But it wasn't an uncomfortable silence—it was the kind that came when two people understood each other without needing to fill the space with words.

As the night grew darker, Zack reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, folded piece of paper. "I, uh, made something for you," he said, his voice suddenly a little nervous.

Diana raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it?"

Zack handed her the paper, watching her carefully as she unfolded it. Inside was a handwritten note, simple but heartfelt:

"For all the nights we won't be together and all the days we'll wish we were. I love you, and no matter where I am, a part of me will always be with you. Don't forget that."

Diana's breath caught in her throat as she read the words, her heart swelling with emotion. She hadn't realized how much she needed to hear it—to know that Zack was in this with her, just as scared but just as committed.

She looked up at him, tears brimming in her eyes. "Zack, this is..."

"I know," he said quickly, as if embarrassed. "It's kind of cheesy, but—"

"I love it," Diana interrupted, her voice thick with emotion. "I love you."

Zack's eyes softened, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek. "I love you too."

And with that, he leaned in, their lips meeting in a slow, tender kiss that felt like a promise—a vow that no matter the distance, no matter the challenges, they would hold onto what they had.

When they finally pulled apart, Zack rested his forehead against hers, their breath mingling in the cool night air.

"This isn't goodbye, you know," he whispered. "It's just... see you later."

Diana smiled, her heart full despite the ache of knowing that tomorrow he would leave. "Yeah. See you later."

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