Inseparable

by Siobhan Davis

I cross my arms over my chest, my head spinning. “If you’re not going to UI, then where are you going? What are you planning to do?” “I’ve joined the marines.” My jaw slackens. “You did what?” If he told me he joined the Bolshoi Ballet I wouldn’t have been any more surprised. “Cam pulled some strings, and he got me in. After training, I’m being deployed overseas for an initial stint.” I drop to the ground on my butt, barely feeling the sharp pain skittering up my spine. Tears prick my eyes. “You’re leaving me too?” And, yes, the prize for most selfish goes to me. He winces. “Never. I’ll always be with you even if I’m not physically present.” “You promised you’d always be there for me,” I whisper, looking at him as reality gives me a swift kick in the rear. “You promised, and now you’re leaving as well.” I choke on an anguished sob. He sinks to his knees in front of me, pulling me into his warm chest. I should resist but I’m numb. “Lina, I’m sorry you’re hurt. You’re the last person I want to upset, but I need to do this for me. I need to … find who I really am, and I can’t do that here under Dad’s constant shadow. I have to break free.” The numbness spreads, infecting every part of me. My voice sounds eerily calm as I ask the next question. “When do you leave?” He cups my face, tilting my head up to him. His lips collide with mine in a fierce, desperate kiss. I can’t summon the effort to kiss him back. I’m too distraught. Resting his forehead on mine, he breaths heavily as...