A few days have passed since seeing Jason kiss that girl, I couldn’t bring myself to reach out. After all, I almost became his sidepiece. I should’ve known better than to trust a dating app. 

“You look a mess. Are you ok? Have you guys still not made up yet?” Sam asks.

“No, I mean he's tried texting and calling but I don't think I can forgive him for this.” 

“Come on Hazel, I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding, hear the guy out.” 

“I’ll think about it…”

“You'll regret it if you don’t,” He throws on his jacket, “Just trust me. I’ll call you back when I get home. Don’t go back to sleep!” He yells before hanging up. 

I let out a sigh before throwing back onto the bed. I contemplate opening Jason’s message before ultimately deciding to hear him out.

JASON: Hazel.

JASON: Please call me back.

JASON: Hazel please stop ignoring me, this is all a big misunderstanding, I don’t know how she got my number, she's my ex.

JASON: Hazel come on…

JASON: I know you probably won't see this but I'm leaving tomorrow morning and I wanna see you before I do, please.

My eyes widen, I look at the date for the last message and it’s from last night. 

“He's leaving today!” I shoot up from my bed and quickly call him. It goes straight to voicemail. 

“He must already be at the airport, I have to see him!” I jump up off the bed, throw on my hoodie, and run downstairs.

“Hazel you're up early-” I cut my father off. “Don't have time to talk, I'll be back later!” I yell, running out of the house. 

I decided to check and see if he was at his grandparents' house before going to the airport. I drive like a madman over to his place. I run out of the car and frantically knock on the door. An elderly woman who I assume to be Jason’s grandmother answers the door. 

“Hello?” She tilts her head to the left in confusion.  

While catching my breath I ask, “Is Jason here?” 

“No I'm afraid you just missed him, he left with his grandfather to the airport a little over fifteen minutes ago.” She says. “Why do you ask-” I cut her off.

“Shit!” I yell, “Thank you, it was nice meeting you.” I run back to the car before she can get another word in. 

I make my way to the airport as quickly as possible. I don't bother perfecting my parking. I lock the car door and shove my keys into my purse. I ran up to the front desk of the airport. My eyes scoured the list of planes, luckily only one was going out to California in the next few hours. I need to get to exit 12!

I run back and forth around the airport looking for the right exit. After twenty minutes I finally found it!

The loudspeakers boom, “Now boarding flight 12.” 

As I walk up to the gate I'm stopped by security. “Ma’am I’m afraid I can't let you through without a ticket.

“I’m just looking for someone-” I spot Jason in the crowd. “Jason!” I yell out to him. He turns around. “Hazel? What are you doing here?!” 

He runs over to me and looks at the security guard. “Sorry about that officer, it'll just be a moment.” The security guard rolls his eyes.

“Hazel what are you doing-” I cut him off with a kiss. He seems shocked for a moment but quickly melts into the kiss. I pull away.

“I’m sorry I should’ve answered your texts. I was just so mad when-” He cuts me off with another kiss. 

“It's ok, it's completely my fault. Who wouldn't be mad in that situation?” He says. I embraced him and before I knew it I had started to cry. I had been holding it this whole time. I thought it was over. He holds me for what feels like a lifetime when the loudspeakers boom. “Last call for gate 12.” I pull away.

“I guess this is your que…”

“Hazel I hope we can move past this. I really wanna make this work.”

“Can you handle the distance?”

“If it's with you, I know I can.” He fidgets nervously. “You don't have to answer now but if you think you can too, I want us to be official.” 

“Last call!” 

“I have to go! I’ll text you when I land.” He yells, running over to the gate.

“Jason, wait!” He looks at me. “I don't need to wait. My answer is yes I’ll be your girlfriend!” I can see him flash me a toothy smile as he disappears into the crowd. 

The truth is I don't know if we can overcome the distance but for him, I'm willing to give it my all. And it's not like it'll be for long, summer break is just around the corner. And even if I don't get to see him then, winter will come again.