say you like me: final
Gasps and screams came from the audience, but I simply felt numb. There was nothing running through my mind, I didn’t know what to think or what to feel. I sat throughout the rest of the show, unaware of the countless times Tayla had attempted to speak to me. As the filming had ended for the verdict show, the deflated audience began to file out of the studio. I tried to stand up, but my legs were weak, simply forcing me back in my chair.
“Becca!” I heard a loud yell of my name from across the aisle, snapping me out of my own world. It was Chellisa, and I noticed her red eyes and mascara stained underneath them. Taking me by surprise, she grabbed my hand and started walking out of the studio. We stopped behind a dark corner, and without saying a word, she embraced me in a hug, as tears began to fall uncontrollably from my eyes. I knew this was the beginning of the end, I had no idea it would come so soon. I also didn’t think I would need to prepare. Everything had happened so quickly that I didn’t have time to stop and think about what was going on. Life had seemed like a dream over the past few months, and I wasn’t ready to be brought back down to reality. What would happen with me and Mitchel? Would he stay here in Sydney, or go back to Cairns? Would he still want to be with me? What about Katie? What about the band? These questions filled my brain and clouded by thoughts and emotions, only triggering more tears.
 “None of us were ready for it to end, Becca,” Chellisa said to me as I looked up to her. “We have to remember this isn’t the beginning of the end, rather the end of the beginning for the band. It’s hard now, and until the show is over it will be hard, but there are so many family and friends and fans in the same position as you. The pain will ease, I promise.” I felt like she was trying to convince not only me, but herself that it would all get easier. And it would, but only time would heal everything. I gave her another hug, as the two of us agreed to go and find the other girls, who were most likely waiting outside the venue. As we began to walk up we past multiple groups of fangirls, who broke out in whispers and hysterics at the sight of Chellisa and I. One group of girls came rushing towards us as we approached the entrance to the studio. Bree, Tayla and Cher were amongst them. “A bunch of girls are heading to Maccas before heading home, did you want to go with? Maybe it would be good for you,” Cher asked me. I shook my head. I didn’t want all the attention tonight; like I had been receiving in previous weeks. I wanted to go home and be alone; I was in no mood for socializing. Tayla agreed to take me home, while Bree and Cher went off with the other girls. Chellisa went back to join Tyrone and her family, and agreed to see us the next day.
 Much of the train ride home was silence, I didn’t feel like talking and Tayla knew it. As I reached my bedroom, a photo of Mitch and I caught my eyes. Everything had been so wonderful between us; I couldn’t bear the thought of change. Even if he was to go home, just for a short period of time, we could still be together, and I could go visit him. As the possibilities ran through my head, I slowly began to drift to sleep, and grew blissfully unaware of the situation I was in.
******************
 A couple of days passed and I hadn’t spoken to Mitchel. I had spent every waking hour with Chellisa, the two of us attempting to keep our spirits high and thoughts distracted. The boys were doing plenty of radio and TV appearances, so they were well occupied. I was sitting in Chellisa’s kitchen when she appeared from her bedroom, where she had been for the past 15 minutes.
 “I’ve just been on the phone with Tyrone.” The news well and truly woke me up, as I listened intently. “The boys are all really upset, but are trying to keep brave faces for the fans. He wanted me to tell you the Mitch is sorry he hasn’t spoken to you, and he’s been really busy with appearances, in between organizing to go home.”
“GOING HOME?!” I asked her, my heart almost leaping out of my skin with shock.
“Yes. Him, Luke and Brock are all going home for a few weeks to let everything sink in, and spend time with their families. They’re all leaving separately tomorrow, and want us to come to the airport tomorrow and see them off.” As I let that sink in, Chellisa organized to get us both to the airport. She also rang Tayla and explained what was going on, and that it would probably be best for her to come as well.
 ******************
 It was a sleepless night. I hadn’t been home much in the past few days, staying between Chellisa and Tayla’s houses. Their presence seemed to calm me a lot; I didn’t want to be alone. Anticipation for the day ahead kept me awake, and each minute seemed to tick a lifetime apart. Managing only two hours sleep, I dragged myself up at 7am, and went to get ready. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I was horrified. The life and colour had been drained out of my face, I had no idea how much this had really affected me. The fear of the unknown had taken its toll on me, physically and emotionally, but I knew it was all about to change.
 Two hours and my best makeup attempts later, I was on the way to the airport with Tayla. I wasn’t completely satisfied with how I looked, but it was the last thing on my mind. Chellisa agreed to meet us there, as we made our way over to the departing lounge, where she was waiting along with a mob of fangirls, and the boys. As I saw Mitch for the first time since the results show, he looked tired, yet perfect, as always. He put on a smile, while girls were snapping their final pictures with the band. I took a step behind the crowds, not wanting to be in the way, and kept quietly to myself.
 “You don’t want a photo, young lady?” I heard a familiar voice say from behind. I turned around to see Mitchel, standing with his hands in his pockets, and best efforts of a smile on his face. I could feel eyes glaring upon us, as I asked him if we could move someplace private. He took my hand and led me around the corner, and once we were alone, he wrapped his arms around me, and I felt safe in his familiar embrace.
 “So you’re going home?” I asked him, my voice shaky.
“I think I just need to spend some time with my family. If I stay in Sydney, everywhere I turn I’ll be reminded of the experience, and I think I just need a break from the craziness. Becca, everything that has happened between us has been incredible. You’re one of the best people I’ve met here, and I’m so lucky that I did meet you. You’re not like anyone else I’ve met, and everything we’ve shared, I’m so thankful for. But I’m going back home and I’m not sure when I’ll next return. I don’t want to keep this going, in hope that things will be the same when I am back in Sydney. I just need to spend time with my family now, and get focused back on school. I love you, and I know I probably always will, but it’s for the best, at least for now.” Before I had a chance to say anything else, Mitchel kissed me for the last time before letting go and making his way back to the gate lounge. I followed him and pushed myself to the front of the fangirl pack, as the other passengers began to board the plane. The 5 boys said their final goodbyes, as my eyes became clouded with tears. Mitchel walked towards the passage to enter the plane. This was it, the last time I would see Mitchel Cave, at least, for now.  As he turned back to look at me, I felt the tears running down my cheeks at an uncontrollable pace. “I love you too!” I told him, as he simply glared at me, before turning back around to enter the plane.
 I was the last one to leave the airport, and as I did, it hit me. It was the end.
