Before Us (GirlXGirl)

Chapter 16

Sunday morning they all woke up early to haul out. The two of them laying naked in the tent. Lainey realized this was their last day together. She was leaving today. Officially leaving for good.

Lainey traced and caressed Jess's body. Smelling her coconut hair spray and still covered in yesterday's sunscreen and bug spray. She was so classy in a natural way and Lainey loved that most about her.

"Mmm I could never get tired of that." Jess said after she stirred awake, feeling Lainey caress her body.

"We have to get going. You have a new life to get to." Lainey smiled sadly.

"A new life but a life still here with you. I'm coming back for you, don't get that wrong." Jess sat up staring into Lainey's eyes, showing her seriousness.

Lainey hesitated, but smiled better than before. "Let's get on the road."

They continued on, packing up the tent, loading up the bags. Every scene, every interaction that morning, Lainey took mental notes and pictures of everything. She wanted to remember everything. She inhaled the morning air and picked up the packed up tent and her backpack, heading to the car.

The two of them got coffee on the way through the city and they sat silently the rest of the ride. Not awkward silence, as they smiled and kissed each other, they just had nothing to say, everything already being said yesterday. Lainey sipped her coffee and they listened to music for the 4 hour drive.

Lainey brought her skateboard with her so that she could say goodbye to Jess before she left. When Jess pulled into the driveway, her dad and little brother ran about. Her dad rolled his eyes seeing Lainey in the front seat. They both got out and helped pack up Jess's car with the last few things that couldn't fit. They set it up to be towed behind their moving truck so that everyone could be in the main car.

Lainey fist pumped her little brother before he climbed into the truck. Jess was the last one to go. They both started to tear up as they hugged each other. It was a while before Lainey let go. She didn't want to let go.

"Lainey, I've got to go..." Jess pulled off and stared into Lainey's loving gaze. Jess's brother in the back playing on an iPad. Their mother in prison since the birth of Jess's brother. "We're going to try long distance?" Jess smiled, wrapping her arms around Lainey's neck, it was obvious now, looking back into Jess's eyes that they both didn't want to leave each other's side. They spent the whole summer in a trace with one another, taking trips up to the waterfalls, camping, along with many other things. It was a picturesque summer to remember.

"Of course." Lainey kissed her softly, trying her best to be respectful to Jack who, not too long ago nearly ended her life after finding her and Jess getting down and dirty in the fridge. Jack waited impatiently in the car.

"Text you when we get there." She smiled and kissed Lainey back. She let go unwillingly as their handholding diminished into interlocked fingers and then a few moments after their hands had completely lost touch. The ache Lainey felt after was painful, but she promised herself she wouldn't cry. Who was she kidding, long distance probably wouldn't work out... but she had promised they would try.

The engine roared to life in the old beauty and with the window down, Jess mouthed out, 'I love you.' As she blew her a kiss. Lainey smiled, watching her contagious smile disappear from the rear view. A hand reached out the window, feeling the warm beautiful summer day. If only the weather matched the way Lainey felt, at least she could have a better excuse. It wasn't like Jess would be gone forever, she promised to visit. The car disappeared over the hill and instantly Lainey ached.

She popped in her headphones, took her backpack and tent and and strolled off on her skateboard. Once at home, she went straight to her bed for a depression nap. Her dad at work that morning. Lainey slept through most of the day. Including the night. When she woke up it must've been 9pm. Something did not feel right which is why she woke up.