TILL WE MEET AGAIN

Chapter 27

Ellie

I told my parents last night that I would meet them and my sisters at the airport. I wanted Col and everyone else to drive to the airport. I wanted a chance to say a proper goodbye.

That is where we are right now. On our way to the airport. 6am in the morning.

Trent is driving, Col is sitting in the passenger seat and the rest of us are in the back seats of the SUV.

The ride is normal without a hint of what awaits us when we reach the airport. Trent and Nova arguing over which is better. A strawberry milkshake or a vanilla milkshake. Col being the vindicator.
The twins caught up in their own world. Marissa, Blake and I singing to some song on the stereo. It seems like a normal day. Like we are just going out to the carnival or something.

But the ride goes too fast. Way too fast. Before I know it we arrive at the airport. Time to say our last goodbyes.

We get out of the car and awkwardly stand out in a small circle. None of us speaks. Not a word. Occasionally a sniffle comes from one of us.

"I'm going to miss you guys so much." My voice breaks on the last bit.

"I...I can't take this anymore." Blake walks over and puts his arms around me and holds me. 

"You know I had a tiny crush on you the first day." He confesses and I chuckle even as tears fill my eyes.

"I don't know if I will ever see you again but..." He cries into my shoulder." I love you, okay."

"I love you too. Take care."

When he releases me, I rush straight into Marissa's and Nova's arms. Saying goodbye to Marissa is harder because I have known her longer. I lean in and sob.

My girls. My friend and my sister. The nights spent in our room dreaming, talking, comforting.

"I'm going to miss you so much."  I choke on a sob. "I don't know what I will do without you."

We exchange the words 'i love you' and I go for the twins. They may not be my closest cousins but this is special. It's different. I'm their favorite cousin. It's been clear since they were kids.

Lucas openly takes me in his arms Logan doesn't. He just stares at me shaking his head. I know. This is hard for him.

"I will call you guys as soon as I can." I promise them before I kiss each of them on the right cheeks. "Don't forget about me."

I stand there, my hands crossed over my chest staring at Trent, tears running down both our cheeks. A sense of déjà vu washes over me. I've done this with Trent before. Every single time we moved from the time I was five, I've had Trent escort me to the airport.

I break into a run, straight into his arms and I cry. Hard. This is the hardest goodbye among all cousins because Trent is my favorite. He is my big brother, my best friend, my own version of a bodyguard.

"I don't want you to go, Ellie. I want you to stay. I want to wake up and find out that this is all a nightmare." He sobs over my head, I feel my hair getting wet but it doesn't matter.

"What if something happens to you? What if you need me and I'm not there Ellie? Who's going to look out for you?" His statement leads me to new round of sobbing because I know that for the first time since I turned eleven, I'm on my own.

As much as I hate Trent's over protectiveness, I don't know what it's like not to have it. I don't know what it's like not to be sure that no matter what happens, Trent is watching out for me, that I will be okay. Now I am going out on my own and the realization scares me.