Leo Corbett frantically rushed through the darkened streets of Mariner Bay searching for his girlfriend's home. How could he explain to her his decision? Would she understand, or would she try to stop him? He had made this rash decision just the other night as he sat awake, trying to figure out a way to stay with his brother. And this was all he could come up with. He was going to stowaway on Terra Venture. But this meant leaving his long-time girlfriend. So he had traveled to Mariner Bay to talk to her in person.
Ever since she moved six years ago, it's been harder and harder to see her! They had started going out when he was about 15. Now he was 21, and it was time for him to take his life into his own hands. And he wanted to go onto Terra Venture. Not only would he get to stay with his brother, but he would get to visit distant planets. He had always wanted to travel through the universe. He had never told anyone this, but it was his dream. A dream that he might have to sacrifice in order to stay on Earth with his girlfriend. That's why he was running through the streets. Finally, he found her house. It was in a quiet neighborhood. He quickly rapped three times on the door, fidgeting as he waited for her to answer.
Suddenly the door opened and Leo found himself face to face with the love of his life. He stood there, so mesmerized by his love that he wondered why he would ever want to sacrifice what they had. He quickly firmed his resolve as he looked at her. Her dark brown, wavy hair was pulled up into a messy ponytail. Her clothes were slightly rumpled, indicating she had been asleep until he had knocked on the door. Her clear blue eyes looked at him in shock.
"Leo!" she cried in surprise. A shout of laughter escaped her as she threw her arms around him. He returned the hug, hesitating slightly. She pulled away in confusion, feeling the bit of hesitation. "What are you doing here? I thought that you would be working at your job, since you were going to be coming here in a few weeks."
"Kelsey, we need to talk." She looked startled as he took her hand and pulled her towards her couch. He slowly sat down, and she followed.
"What's going on, Leo?" she asked softly. "What's wrong?"
He took a deep breath as he looked away. "I'm going to follow my brother. I'm going to get aboard Terra Venture." He looked up at her, tears beginning to well up in his eyes as he realized what he was about to do. "I'm leaving you."
Kelsey felt as though she had been slapped across the face. She sat there, stunned at his words. She had known he was upset about his brother leaving, but she had never realized how much it had affected him. How much it was going to affect them. She looked up at Leo, tears slowly streaming down her face. "Wha......but why?" she managed to choked out. Leo closed his eyes, not wanting to see the hurt and pain that was reflected in her eyes.
"I have to go." he explained. "Not only to see my brother, but....ever since I was young I've wanted to see the stars. I've always wanted to go out and explore distant planets. And there's no other way I'm going to get there. This is a once in a lifetime change for me, and I really want to go."
"Even if it means ending our relationship?" she asked, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. He had no answer for that, and he looked away. "No, Leo. I want you to look into my eyes. I want you to realize that even though I want you to follow your dream, it hurts me. I don't want you to leave me. I love you. I've loved you since the day I first laid eyes upon you."
He looked into her eyes, indeed seeing the pain. "And I love you, Kelsey. But this is a once in a lifetime chance and I don't want to miss it."
Silence fell between them, as neither could think of anything to say. Suddenly, Kelsey's eyes were filled with a fire of determination. Her eyes seemed to shine with unnatural light as an idea of her own passed through her head.
"Fine." she said. Leo looked up at her in surprise. He opened his mouth to say something, but she quickly cut him off. "Fine, you can go. But I'm coming with you."
Leo stared at her in shock as she stood up from the couch. She walked over to the door, her hand on the doorknob. But before she could open it, Leo ran over to her.
"But what about your job?" he asked softly. "Ever since you became a ranger, you've been having the time of your life. You told me that it was one of the best things that ever happened to you."
She stood there for a second, frozen in her tracks. She loved being a ranger, and she had never thought that she would give it up. But maybe it was time. "It has been. But if I have to sacrifice it in order to stay with you, then it's something I'm willing to do." She turned back to the door, opening it slightly. Leo quickly slammed the door, shaking his head.
"No. I don't want you to give up being a ranger just because of me." he said. She turned to face him, emotions tearing through her eyes. He hesitated slightly before taking a deep breath. "I do love you, and I wish there was another way. But going on Terra Venture is something I have to do. Just as staying here is something you have to do. I hope that someday you'll understand why...."
It dawned on her that their paths were slowly winding into different paths. There was nothing she could do to stop the events that were about to happen. She quickly shushed him, putting her finger on his mouth. "I do understand now. I will always love you, Leo Corbett. And maybe someday we'll see each other again."
"And I'll always love you." he whispered, taking her hand in his. "We will see each other again. I promise."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Kelsey leaned forward and kissed him. Never had they experienced such love as they did in that moment. Every emotion that they had ever held back was now pushing through full force. All the pain and sorrow that had passed through them that night was in that kiss. For it would be their last kiss, and they wanted it to be a memorable one. Never would they forget each other, for their love is one people experience once in a lifetime. The moment seemed to last forever. Slowly, the two of them broke apart. Kelsey backed away from the door as Leo turned the door handle. He looked back once more, waiting for her to tell him to stay. Now he didn't want to leave her.
"Go." she whispered. "Follow your dream. Bring a little stardust back with you."
He smiled slightly and nodded. He opened the door and the cool night air burst in. He slowly went out. He looked back at her once more before closing the door. He would never forget this moment, for he felt as if his heart was breaking. He was following his dream, but he was losing her in the process. "Good-bye Kelsey. I'll never forget you. I love you."
With that he closed the door. Kelsey ran to the window, watching his
departing form. He never looked back after that, and he soon disappeared
in the darkness of the night. She slowly sank to the ground, realizing she
had said goodbye to the love of her life.