An Exchange

Chapter Sixty-Seven - June 30th

Penny

June 30th.

All day I kept Jonas or Giles nearby. Every moment suddenly seemed so precious. I made them sit on the bed while I checked my bags were packed, and weighed the correct amount, then triple and quadruple checked the house for anything that I may have left lying around.

I wanted to cry when Jonas left me alone outside with Giles. Technically Giles and I broke up the day before, but we hadn't let go. He told me he didn't want me to wait, and I accepted it for him, so he could focus and do his best. He even made me promise to date, which I reluctantly agreed to through my tears. He was still so willing to put my happiness before his, so I agreed to ease his mind. I'd do what he wished-for him.

"How are you holing up?" he asked softly, as I gave the dogs one last goodbye hug.

"I've had better days." I stood slowly, turning to him. "It all went by so fast."

"That means you had fun." He smiled, but it didn't reflect in his eyes.

"I did." I grabbed his hand, my heart aching. "No matter what, you'll always be my best friend."

"Hailey." He kissed me, but flinched back. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." I squeezed his hand.

"Blurg, it's like a chick flick." Seth stepped out the back door with Zoe behind him.

Giles and I stepped apart so I could say goodbye.

After lunch, Maria, Marty, and Ray came to see me off as well. Maria and Marty were surprised to find me with Giles and Ray quickly filled them in on the details. They then told me that they knew it all along, and they were glad I had finally stopped torturing Giles and realised that I had feelings for him.

The time came to go to the airport. I made Giles ride with us-even though his family was going down as well-but he didn't protest. We held hands tightly the whole way as we savoured the last moments together. I wouldn't be able to see him again for at least two years, possibly even longer.

At the airport, all of Jonas' siblings waited for us, and each hugged me goodbye. I struggled to hold back my tears.

Then Giles' sisters both hugged me and sobbed; that made it even harder to remain composed.

Next Giles' parents said goodbye and to my surprise, his mum hugged me tightly and whispered, "I know he told you not to wait, but I hope you do. You would make a wonderful wife for him."

Relieved she'd forgiven me for how I'd spoken to her, and everything else, I squeezed her tighter. "Thank you."

I turned to Pat and Alma and hugged them. They had put up with so much from me, and I prayed in my heart that they would be blessed for it.

Turning to Jonas, for the first time ever, he looked humble, and so young. "Hailey, I'm so glad you agreed to finally drop Penny."

I smiled and threw my arms around him. "You're the best brother anyone could ever hope for."

He buried his face into my hair. "Don't say that. You're gonna make me cry."

I giggled and looked into his eyes. "You behave, you hear me? I won't be around to stop you from opening your mouth and saying the wrong thing, and Giles won't be here soon either." My voice caught as the emotions started to get the better of me.

Jonas hugged me again. "I'll be good. I promise, just for you."

He let me go as Giles' rested his hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him. My heart wrenched and I cried.