My sapphire

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE | Goodbye for Now

Ruby's Point of view.
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"Today was the day." A quiet thrill coursed through me as I gazed at the enchanting figure beside me. Sapphire's shimmering light blue hair sprawled elegantly across the pillow, its gentle waves glistening in the early sunlight, cascading almost to my side of the bed.

I couldn't help but smile at her endearing form, the soft, rhythmic cadence of her snores filling the room—a sweet, melodious sound that harmonized beautifully with the tranquility of our morning. The night had been alive with the flurry of our excitement, as we debated and dreamt about the perfect outfits and shoes for our upcoming road trip.

Every moment spent with her felt like a precious gift, a memory I wanted to savor indefinitely. As I stretched to shake off the remnants of sleep, a delicate arm wrapped around my chest, anchoring me in place, a testament to our connection. The golden sunlight streamed through my light red curtains, casting warm, amber hues across the room, while a gentle breeze wove its way inside, wrapping around me like a soft, comforting embrace.

I wished for this serene moment to stretch on forever.

Cradling Sapphire's tiny hand in mine, I pressed a tender kiss to her palm before gently placing it back on her pillow. Slipping into my cozy, plush slippers, I tiptoed out of the room, determined to preserve the peaceful atmosphere just a little longer as I made my way to the kitchen, ready to whip up a breakfast that might add to this perfect morning.

Upon entering the kitchen, I was greeted by the sight of Pearl hunched over the stove, her skilled hands deftly flipping golden-brown pancakes with the ease of a practiced chef. She had beaten me to the punch, and I couldn't help but feel grateful—cooking had never been my strong suit.

"Hey, Pearl," I murmured, rubbing my sleepy eyes and sinking into a chair at our heart-shaped table, the familiar contours of which seemed to cradle me in comfort.

A pang of nostalgia washed over me as I took in our surroundings; I knew I would miss the light pink walls adorned with little mementos of our laughter and shared joys, their soft hues providing a cozy backdrop to our lives.

"Good morning," she replied, her warm smile brightening the sunlit room.

Pearl meticulously plated two fluffy pancakes for each of us, before attending to the sizzling bacon and eggs that crackled enticingly on the back burner. The mouthwatering aroma wafted through the room, wrapping around me like a friendly hug, filling the air with an olfactory promise of comfort and home.

"You know, Jasper and Lapis won't be here in September," Pearl remarked, breaking the comfortable silence that enveloped us. A wave of sadness swept through me at the thought, but I managed to summon a small, reassuring smile in return.

"I know, we all know," I replied, my tone gentle yet firm. "But we'll see each other again before we know it. We're only gone for three months this summer." I hoped my words would soothe the uncertainty fluttering in her heart, offering her a glimpse of the joyful reunions that awaited us.

I felt an overwhelming urge to articulate more, to spin a tapestry of reassurance around us, but just then, a familiar voice broke through the stillness.

"You guys are going off to college, Pearl. You're not dying." Amethyst appeared, a mischievous grin on her face as she leaned across the table to plant a playful kiss on Pearl's cheek, before sliding into the seat opposite me.

Our conversation flowed easily, rich with laughter and promises of future gatherings, holiday plans that we wrote in the air like a pact among friends—a vow that would reverberate through our hearts long after we parted.

Amethyst busily arranged the plates on the table while I gently shook Sapphire awake. Once we all gathered, Pearl filled her in on our earlier musings.

"I love that plan," Sapphire purred, her voice laced with a warm affection that made my heart flutter.

I couldn't help but admire her; she was stunning with her long, thick hair twisted into a carefree bun. Tendrils of hair framed her face beautifully, while her bangs danced playfully against her eyebrows.

This was the essence of home—safety woven from laughter and friendship. A smile broke wide across my face as I soaked in this moment. I wasn't leaving forever, yet the weight of tomorrow loomed heavily on my chest.

Yet, I felt grateful for the growth each of us was experiencing.

A gentle kiss brushed against my cheek, pulling me from my reverie. "What has you so quiet, love?" Sapphire's voice was soft, with a hint of concern woven through it.

"I was just thinking about this summer and how we'll be leaving before graduation," I confessed, guilt gnawing at me for potentially robbing us both of such a momentous milestone.

The girls exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of empathy and encouragement.

Amethyst enveloped me in a tight hug, her laughter dispelling my worries. "You're not missing out on anything."

"Yeah, you're still getting your diploma," Pearl chimed in, finishing the last of her pancakes with a satisfied smile.

Sapphire's gentle squeeze around my hand reminded me that she understood my turmoil, even as she assured me it was alright not to be at graduation. Though she had expressed indifference towards the ceremony, I couldn't shake the feeling that she might one day regret that sentiment.

After I polished off my meal, I set my plate in the sink. A quick glance at the clock revealed it was already nine-thirty.

Later, after we showered and dressed for the adventure ahead, we descended the stairs with our bags to find our friends waiting for us in the living room. Balloons floated in the air, and a banner, clearly crafted by Amethyst, boldly proclaimed, "Get freaky!" in vibrant purple letters.

"Nice sign," both Sapphire and I chuckled, the sound echoing off the walls. "But you guys didn't have to see us off... we'll be back, you know? In September."

"We know...," Pearl replied with a sympathetic smile, her eyes glistening. "But that doesn't mean we won't miss you. Think about it—this is the last time we'll all be together. It makes me sad."

"Pearl, we don't all literally live together..." Amethyst whispered nonchalantly, a teasing glint in her eyes, "But I get what you're saying, love."

Sapphire quickly hugged each of our friends, just as a notification buzzed on my phone—our ride had arrived and was waiting outside. I tucked my phone into my pocket and exchanged quick hugs with everyone, my hand finding Sapphire's, our fingers lacing together.

"We'll see you in September," Lapis chimed, her voice bright and cheerful. As the others echoed their goodbyes, a wave of sadness washed over me.

Pearl was right; this would be the last time we were all so close. Who knew when we would cross paths again? And although we vowed to meet during every special occasion, I knew that didn't guarantee it would happen.

"Hey," Sapphire gently tilted my chin up, her eyes filled with warmth, "Don't worry, babe. They'll be fine without us for a little while. Cheer up! We're literally on our way to the most beautiful beaches in the world. Plus, we'll get loads of alone time." She wiggled her eyebrows playfully, trying to lighten my mood.

"You're right," I replied, a smile breaking across my face.

As Sapphire settled in for our hour-long ride to the airport, I took care of our belongings. Once I got myself comfortable, she curled up beside me, resting her head against my shoulder.

"This is already perfect," she murmured in that soft, feminine tone that always sent shivers down my spine.

"It is," I replied softly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead as anticipation bubbled within me.