A Long Road Ahead

Chapter 21

As the sky gets darker more people crowd around the fire.

Some people are still in the pool, but I think it's a little too cold for that.

Jason and Amber are still swimming, but Damon, Devon, Bryan, Travis, Massi, and me, are all sitting in chairs around the fire.

Massi and I just share a bench because there are only so many places to sit here.

Amber and Jason have only been together for a few months, so I know that the reason they are still in the water is because she is still a bit nervous to spend time with the group.

Over the years, our groups have become one big group, we don't just spend time together because we have to. Sabrina will sometimes come over to Bryan's without me, or we will just invite Travis places because we want to.

It's nice that we genuinely all get along and can all spend time with each other. I get why Amber feels out of place, because we have all been friends for years, and she is just coming in.

I am glad Massi's friends treat me as a friend, and not just as his girlfriend.

"How is it living together?" Devon questions.

"Anything is an upgrade from my parents." I tell him. "But it's great." I add.

"We will have to see it sometime." Bryan adds.

"Sure, it's a little small, but it's really nice." I say with a smile.

I am glad that I actually do like Bryan and we get along great.

"Anything is going to be small compared to the house you were living in. It's not that small." Massi says.

Once I think about it, I realize he is right, it's not small compared to his house, just to mine.

"You okay, Chlo?" Bryan asks me.

"Yeah, why?" I ask him.

"A lot happened this summer." He points out. "I just wanted to make sure."

"I'm doing great." I say, and this is pretty much the truth. I don't have to worry about my parents and I am surrounded by nothing but love.

"When do you all leave?" I ask, college starts in a week.

"Sunday," Travis tells me.

"Saturday," Damon says.

"I leave Tuesday, and Jason and Amber are leaving Monday." Devon adds.

"Wow." Is all I can say.

We are going camping in two days, Thursday into Friday, and then come Saturday, people are leaving.

Sabrina leaves Saturday too, as does Rachel, Jennifer is staying here just for the first semester, and Elle is leaving Monday.

I thought about going away to school, but financially speaking, staying here is the best option.

I'm glad Bryan is staying here, I at least have one friend staying, that should help my sanity.

"We are getting so old. Next thing I know we will all be in stable relationships, and you two will be sending out wedding invitations." Damon says, motioning to Massi and I at the end.

I just give him a small laugh.

I don't know why I have no faith in my friendships making it through college. I just think they are all going to make new friends and forget about the rest of us.

Distance can ruin relationships, especially with such large groups, it's hard to stay in contact with everyone.

After how quickly my parents dropped me, I see my friends doing the same, and not many friendships make it past high school.