;you're my favourite hello, my hardest goodbye

You think college and lectures prepare you for going head first into your dreams?

Think again.

Nothing could prepare me for this.

It was surreal and nothing like I expected.

I just wish Bella was here with me.

Honestly, I thought my goodbye with Cammy was hard. Hers? Fuck, can't even explain without wanting to put my fist through a ball.

Two days ago

We're sitting in the airport. Silence fills us - aside from the overhead announcements and scatters of people dropping off their loved ones. Me and Bella can't seem to bring our self to speak.

The day we've both been dreading is here and now, there's no denying how this is harder than we ever thought.

At the bonfire Eli and the guys arranged, we had the best night. We laughed at each other, got so drunk, swam in the ocean fully clothed, kissed under the moonlight, held each other close by the roaring fire, made love in my bedroom. Everything was perfect and I'd give anything to have that back. To have it all again and never leave that spot on the beach with my girl in my arms and my heart full.

"The 525 for Chicago is now boarding." the announcer sounded out through the speakers.

I heard Bella's breathing hitch, she knew this was the time. It came and came too fucking cast.

Slowly turning to me, unlacing our fingers, she stepped closer. Those hazel eyes I love to get lost in were glossy and holding tears she refused to let go of.

"Baby, we got this okay?" I reminded her. Pulling her into my arms and holding her tighter than I probably should of. "We got this." I whispered.

She couldn't hold back anymore. She sobbed into my chest and sniffled against me. I could feel her warm tears soaking through my Bulls t shirt.

Rubbing her back and kissing the top of her head I had to bite my cheek so fucking hard in order not to cry, but to no avail, they flooded my face anyway.

I pulled away, cupped her rosy cheeks in both my hands and pulled her into me. Pressing my lips against hers for the last time in the next two weeks.

It was deep, raw and emotional. Slow, sweet and tender.

Our tongues played, devouring each others taste we both loved so fucking much. Trying to take as much as we could knowing it was going to be another two weeks until we see each other again.

Her cherry flavoured lip calm she religiously uses is hinted in my mouth as I tug her in closer. Pressing us deeper.

Once we both needed a breath, our foreheads dropped on one anothers, eyes closed, hearts pounding, breathing erratic.

"I love you." I told her.

She sniffled. "I love you, Baller."

Without opening her eyes, or wiping her tears she pushed up onto her tip toes and pressed another kiss on my lips. "Now go make me proud number 7."

Despite the circumstances, I chuckled. Diving down and placing multiple pecks on her plump lips. The one's I'm going to damn well dream about.

"I'll call you." I murmur.

She nods as she looks up at me, reaching to wipe away my tears. "I'll be waiting."

Holy fuck, my heart just very well shattered.

She would be waiting.

Waiting for me. For us.

I reluctantly took a step backwards away from her, our fingers still holding on, gliding across each others the further I walk away until they drop. Our hands just drop to our sides.

I hike my duffel further up my shoulder and continue walking backwards until I had no choice but to turn around.

Holding my breath until my chest hurt dying to hold back my tears.

"Baller!" her tiny voice called out.

I spun around to see her running towards me. I dropped my bags in time to catch her.

The tiny legs I love so much wrapping around my waist. Her little arms tighten around my neck and those beautiful fucking lips crash against mine.

Our kiss was rough but full of love.

She didn't wanna leave it like we did. She wanted more because that's what we are. More than anything we could both imagine.

And she'd be waiting for me.

"I love you. I love you so much, and I promise, we're going to be fine." She rushes out breathlessly.

"I love you, baby. You have no idea. Just stick it out for me until we can be together, yeah?"

She nods against my forehead. "I'll stick it out."

Dropping her legs to the ground, she looks up at me through those tear filled eyes and smiles. "I'm proud of you."

I shoot her a cheeky smile and winked. "I'll see you soon, Mrs Hunter."

She giggled while shaking her head.

"Last call for flight 525."

I grab my bags, shoving my duffel over my shoulder and begin walking backwards again. Blowing my girl a kiss, and she blowing one back, I spin on my heel and take the fifteen steps to my gate.

Handing over my passport and ticket, I risk taking one last glance to see both hands covering her mouth, tears streaming down her cheeks, then she spots me, moves her hands and gives me a little wave.

I return the wave, wink and continue to head down the tunnel.

Inhaling a shaky breath and rushing to wipe the tears away from my eyes.

We got this, Bella. We always have.

Which brings me today.

I've been on the court since seven thirty this morning with my new team.

Their old point guard - the guy I was replacing - was here. Nice guy, we sat on the benches for about half an hour talking. He saw some of my games that the schools TVA club added to youtube and to our schools site. I was almost fan girling when he said he was impressed by my leadership and skills on the court.

I had no doubt I was going to give everything I could and had to this team. I wanted to be the next best point guard after Michael Jordan - long shot, but my stats were impressive and my ability to roll with the punches were high on the scale too. There was no doubt I could make myself a legend.

The next two weeks need to hurry up. I need my girl.

Sweat was dripping profusely off my forehead, sticking my hair to head and I could see the drops trickling down my back and chest.

Jogging over to the benches for my towel and water bottle. I double tapped my phone to see if anyone had called or text.

My girl's a little cutie.

Checking the time quickly to see it was eight at night. I wanted to call her but I know the Knights have a game tonight so she'd be on the side lines without her phone.

I hope they win tonight and take us into the final before the big playoffs.

I was proud of my guys. Eli stepped up like I knew he would. Jason's still on the road to perfecting his dunk, slowly but surely getting there. Ed was thrown back onto the court as Eli took over my position. Cammy was replaced by Mason Rose and Coach had no option but to throw in the sophomore Jamie Wiles - poor kids probably shitting himself.

Basketball can be quite the defensive sport.

I quickly shoot Bella a text back.

I love you beautiful, call me when you've finished with the game.

Then I dash back onto the court to finish training with my new fucking team members. Players that I look up to as idols. Players I've watched on ESPN and rooted for. Chicago may not be my hometown, but they were a solid fucking team.

And now they were my team.

Sorry it's kind of a short chapter, but I wanted to get the goodbye in without much else.

Just a quick note that Baller - Tori and Maddox's story will be coming to an end in the next few chapters!

Sad, I know.

I'm currently sitting with a of tissues.

But on a high note, this means a lot of love, basketball, revelations and epilogues!

Yaayaah!

And if you're still here this far? Thank you! From the bottom of my heart.

Loves!

Char x