Sky anxiously watched the clock, her eyes fixated on the ticking hands: 6:58, 6:59, 7:12, 7:30. It was too late now to make it to the airport. Right at this moment, Emma should be boarding a plane to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ to the world. One of those teachings emphasized the importance of engaging in sexual relations solely within the confines of marriage, between a man and a woman.
"Pfft," Sky exclaimed to herself, a mix of anger and sadness engulfing her, casting a somber shadow over her mood.
After all they had experienced together, after everything that had been said, Sky couldn't believe Emma had gone and left her.
Sky glanced at her phone again, reading Emma's last message, her heart heavy with emotion.
"Hey Sky, I'm sorry for what I did to you. The time before a mission is when Satan tempts someone the most, and I succumbed to that temptation. The day after we. well, you know. I went to see my Bishop and confessed. I fully expected him to prevent me from going. He was disappointed and asked if I had engaged in sexual intercourse with a boy friend or something. I couldn't bring myself to tell him it was with a girl, so I said no (technically, I didn't lie). He spoke with me some more, even as I cried and pleaded for repentance. Eventually, we decided to pray together. He said the decision was ultimately up to me. Since I hadn't gone all the way, it was evident that I was still fighting temptation, and maybe there was still a chance for me to go. Sorry, that was a lot. To sum it up, I prayed, and I'm sorry. I truly believe this is the right thing to do. Despite my mistake, I will come back as a stronger person. Perhaps we can be friends again. I will always love you for who you are, but I cannot agree with the way you want to live. If I can introduce you to some guys I know later... well, in a year and a half, I'm sure you can find happiness living the way the Lord intends for you to live."
"I know with certainty that this church is true. The teachings of Jesus Christ can help us grow every day until the day we return to Him and God. I hope you have a good year and a half without me. I love you. I hope I can at least say goodbye at the airport tomorrow. If you're not there, I understand."
"Your Eternal Best Friend, Emma, or from now on: Sister Anderson."
Tears streamed down Sky's face as she finished reading Emma's message for the fifth time.
"I will always love you for who you are, but I can't agree with the way you want to live," Sky repeated those words, her voice barely audible amidst her sobs.
"I never wanted to live this way," Sky murmured under her breath, her tears flowing freely. The events from that fateful night flooded her mind--the taste of Emma's sweet love and the lust in her eyes.
"Was it all just Satan? Was I merely a pawn used by the Devil to disturb a messenger of God?" Sky questioned, her gaze fixed on the sunny day outside her window, an ironic contrast to the shadows and rain she felt would better suit this moment.
"I hate Utah. I fucking hate God," Sky declared, wiping away her tears. She stood up, only to collapse back onto her bed, defeated. Glancing at the clock one last time, she noticed it was 9:00.
"Goodbye, Emma," Sky whispered, her voice heavy with resignation. She closed her eyes and surrendered to sleep once more.
--------2 hours ago, 7:00--------
"Come on, Sky. Where are you?" Emma asked herself, scanning the bustling airport gate where she was bidding farewell to friends.
"Did something happen, baby?" Mrs. Anderson asked Emma, her voice filled with concern. She noticed the evident anxiety and sadness in her daughter, which would be expected in such a moment, but there was also a longing in her eyes.
"Is it Sky?" Mrs. Anderson inquired, a knowing look in her eyes, suspecting that her daughter's best friend should have arrived by now.
"Yeah," Emma replied, her voice tinged with sadness.
"Could she not make it?" Mrs. Anderson questioned, her maternal instincts kicking in. She believed that reconciling with Sky was crucial before leaving for such a long time.
"Well... we kind of had a... fight, you could say," Emma confessed, averting her gaze.
"What? You had a fight right before leaving for a year and a half?" Mrs. Anderson exclaimed, a touch of worry in her voice.
"Oh, darling, my baby girl. You should have made amends with her. You know, kiss and make up. You can't leave on such bad terms," her mother advised, slipping into "mom mode," determined to fix the situation.
"Yeah, kissing... and makeup was the whole problem," Emma muttered under her breath, her words barely audible.
"Well, I'll go to her house after and tell her you're sorry for whatever happened. I can't bear to see my daughter's best friend hurt for such a long time," Mrs. Anderson declared, placing a comforting hand on Emma's back.
"No! I mean, it's okay. I can email her next Monday. I'm sure we'll work it out," Emma replied, fear of the possible repercussions evident in her voice.
"Um, okay, dear. I just want to help," Mrs. Anderson said, a hint of confusion in her tone, but she ultimately surrendered to Emma's request.
8:00 PM
"Looks like she isn't coming, Bug," Emma's dad said, appearing from behind. Though Emma's parents were currently going through a rough patch, contemplating divorce or seeking resolution, she was grateful that they were both present for her.
"I've never seen you two apart for longer than a day. Yet she won't show up to say goodbye?" he questioned, clearly puzzled.