Everything Changes

Back home (Chapter 13)

•When I'm away, I will remember how you kissed me under the lamppost back on Sixth Street, hearing you whisper through the phone, wait for me to come home.•
Photograph- Ed Sheeran

"Auntie Tay, please don't leave." Vivian says to me, hugging my knees in the middle of the airport.
"I'll be back for your kindergarten graduation, okay?" I say as I hug her tiny body. She nods.
"I'll miss you sweetheart. Have fun and be safe in Cali. Send us back some sunshine." Gisele giggles as she hugs me.
"I'll try." I laugh.
I stare at Tom before we engulf each other in a huge hug, me trying not to cry.
"Be safe, I love you." He says into my hair.
"I will. I will." I whisper.
"I'll see you guys soon, love you all!" I wave to them before I step onto the terminal.
Ben and Vivian's tiny hands wave as hard as the can, Tom and G smiling at me.
After putting my bags away, I quietly take my seat, then put in my earbuds.
The six hour flight to California was pretty boring, Julian mainly the topic of my thoughts.
I haven't told him about my trip home, I don't really know why either. Frankly, I don't really know why I chose to come out here in the first place. Just a little escape, I guess.
I had decided that I'm going to call him as soon as I get home.

I stepped off the plane and the sent of the ocean invaded my nostrils as the sun beamed. This beats Massachusetts by a long shot.
After getting my bags and going through security again, I make my way towards the exit, meeting my parents.
"Taylor!" My mom exclaimed as I made my way towards them.
"How long are you gonna be in?" My dad asks as he takes my bags.
"Just for a bit. Can't miss too much school." I say as I wrap my left arm around mom.
Tom and I both tower over her, even though I'm not as tall as Tom, we both get our height from dad.
"We've missed you, sweetheart." Mom says, looking at me before I get in the backseat.
"So are there any guys?" Mom says excitedly like she's back in high school.
"Well, kind of." I say, my face turning pink.
"Ooo, I see that blush!" She says.
"But he may or may not be the reason I'm out here,"
"But it's something I did. Not him." I love talking to my mom because she'll listen to whatever crap I say.
"Aw, sweetheart. Now when we get home, I want you to call him and talk to him, okay?" She smiles.
"But do we know this guy?" She raises her eyebrows.
I nod.
"Wait, does he play on your brother's team?" I nod again.
"Um, what's his number." She questions.
"11." I say simply.
"Wait that's, um," My dad says trying to think.
"Julian Edelman! Wait, Julian Edelman?" He says, raising his right eyebrow, looking at my through the rear view mirror.
"Yeah, that's the one." I smile, thinking of him.
"Is he still a wild party boy?" Mom questions as we turn on the all- too- familiar street that leads us to our house.
"Um, not bad." I lie for him.
"Good."
After we park, I slowly make my way up the driveway, taking in the house.
It's still the same two story brick house I remember it to be.
"Welcome home!" Mom says walking through the door.
I look at the picture of me and Tom the day he signed with New England that hangs on the wall near the door. We're both smiling, and my eyes are red because I was crying for him finally getting picked. He's wearing a New England Patriots hat and looks so happy.
"Better call Julian!" Mom says from the kitchen.
I get my phone out of my pocket and make my way to the balcony.
'You've reached the voicemail box of Julian Edelman. Sorry I can't get to you right now, it's probably because I'm doing something super awesome.'
I scoff at his voicemail.
'So leave your name and number and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.'
'Hey shorty. I just realized you're probably at workouts or something.' I laugh.
'But anyways, call me later, okay? Bye, Jules.'
I hang up, then make my way back inside.
"Lunch is ready!" My mom calls.
My phone rings when I get to the kitchen, but my heart drops a little to see that it's Tom.
"Hey bro, what's up?" I say as I sit down.
"Just wanted to make sure you made it there okay. Just finished workouts so. How are mom and dad?" He asks.
"They're good. Say hi guys!"
"Hi Tom!" They chorus.
"Hi, miss you guys." Tom laughs.
"Hey, if you see Mr. Edelman tell him to give me a call, alright?"
"Will do little sis. Talk to you later, alright?"
"Okay, love you."
"Love you too."
After we say our goodbyes, I dig into lunch with mom and dad as we talk about when all the kids were at home.