Life is Strange: True Colors (Leaving with Steph)

1. Alex POV

Ethan squeezed me as tightly as he could and I let him; hugging back too. I wouldn't see this kid for who knows how long. "Hey dude, you're gonna break my organs, loosen up!" I joked, "We aren't going forever."

"Yeah but a long time and...I'm gonna miss you."

Steph leaned down to his level and put her hand on his shoulder to comfort him, "Like Alex said, we'll be back. Until then you gotta be Thaynor and protect the Haven Springs, when we return we'll LARP."

"Promise?"

"Promise." She fist bumped him then stood up to face everyone just in time as the bus pulled up behind us. "I guess it's time," she looked at me and smiled.

"Yeah, I just want to quickly say, thank you, to everyone."

"Why whatever for?" piped up Duckie.

"Supporting me. Accepting me. Making this place home and making me feel like I belong."

"You're always welcome here," said Charlotte.

"I second that!" added Duckie.

As Steph loaded our bags into the big, rust-red bus, I managed to go through everyone with a second round of hugs. I was overwhelmed with my own emotions as well as everyone else's, fear of the unknown, sadness about leaving this place and some happiness...I was going to be with Steph, together we would play music and discover the world outside of the quaint, familiar pocket of Haven Springs. I'd miss this place so much but I'm already bracing myself for what's next.

The bus driver was getting impatient now but I still had a few seconds to talk to Ryan. "Sure you don't wanna come?"

He laughed wearily. "Nah, I'm not a free-spirit like Steph. Even though so much shit went down and so much stuff has changed now, I was born and raised here. I need to stay, especially now...to look after everyone."

I nodded understandingly and hugged him. His hugs are the definition of bear hugs: warm, safe and enveloping you. I could sense the waves of sadness streaming off him. Steph walked over, "Lucan...Lucan, Lucan...I'm gonna miss you man and your fucking bird call obsession."

He laughed, I felt his mood lighten a little. They hugged too. Now we had to go. Climbing up the steps of the bus, headed to Seattle.

As we pulled away everyone waved to us; I waved back long after they were out of sight. My hands shook slightly but I wasn't cold. My glasses misted up, I tried to contain the tears like I'd done my whole childhood. I stared out the window, considering if I should try counting all the pines we pass to fall asleep and that way have my sadness go unnoticed by Steph but I guess I wasn't the only one who could read emotions because she clasped my shaking hands in her strong stable ones. "You nervous?" she asked gently.

"Nervous is an understatement." 

"You know I told you earlier back when we were packing up our stuff, we can come back whenever we like, this is just us trying something out, something new and exciting...together."

I finally turned to look at her. "I know. I just never had a home as stable as this before, even with...everything that happened while I was here. Don't get me wrong I don't regret my decision but I just don't know what I'd do if it didn't work out."

"It will, we'll having an awesome fucking time in Seattle, you'll meet all my friends, we'll be playing gigs together, we can make our own music! We can travel anywhere too," she added enthusiastically. 

"Ok," I nodded a little more convinced, her brave enthusiasm was a tiny bit infectious after all.

"Atta girl," she squeezed my hand, "Now listen to some music and relax, it's a long journey from here."