I grin and tilt my head to the side for Wilbur to take a picture of me. He posts it to his Instagram story with the caption 'Cute Date', so I take a picture of him and post on my story, too.
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"Wow, I'm just food to you?" He teases.
I shrug with a giggle. "Maybe,"
Since Wilbur's begun to post some music and stream a bit, he's gotten a decent following. He's not famous or anything, yet, but he's got fans who have even begun to follow me. Some of them hate me, of course. But I get it, he's beautiful and sweet. I would hate his girlfriend too.
"So," Wilbur sighs. "You're leaving tomorrow."
"Yeah," I say with a weak smile, reaching out and placing my hand on top of his. Yesterday, I had breakfast with Marie, lunch with Matt, and dinner with Olivia. Today, I had brunch with Joey, and now I'm having dinner with Wilbur. The worst and hardest goodbye.
"Who's all coming to the airport with us?"
"Just Marie," I say. "But we're still having an early breakfast with everyone else and Joey. Hopefully, Matt and Olivia can deal with each other. Or just suck it up and get back together."
"Joey's going?" Wilbur groans.
I crease my eyebrows. "You don't like Joey?"
"No, no, I do. I just thought you said your goodbyes this morning."
I shrug and take a sip of my drink. "I dunno, he's still my friend, so I invited him. Actually, he might join us to the airport, too. I need to find out when his flight is."
Wilbur just nods, seemingly eager to change the subject. I watch as he reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a small box, placing it in front of me with a small smile.
"Wil," I mutter, but unable to hide my grin. "I told you not to get me a going away present."
"It's not a going away present. It's a please never forget me because you're my first love and I'd do anything for you present."
"God, how am I supposed to leave you?" I mutter, then grab the box and tilt it open. I bite my lip as I see it, a pretty, simple silver necklace with a small circular pendant. I look closely at it, seeing the letter W engraved on it. Wilbur knows that one of my favorite songs ever is Call It What You Want by Taylor Swift, one of the lyrics being "I want to wear his initial on a chain round my neck". And that's what he got me.
"You like it?" He asks, questioning my silence.
"I don't wanna cry in here," I tell him, laughing as I cover my eyes. "God, you're so perfect. I love it. And you. So insanely much."
We're both tearing up now, so I quickly put on the necklace and change the subject. We finish dinner and walk to the door, seeing the heavy rain outside. We step out and stand under a tarp protecting us, preparing ourselves for the long walk back home. The restaurant's outdoor speakers play a piano cover of a popular song.
Wilbur grins down at me, grabbing my hand. "Just like our first date. The rain, the music."
"Oh my God," I mutter with a smile. Our first date and our 'last' date, both with heavy rain and music. "Did you make this happen?"
"Shit, I wanted to keep it a surprise." Wilbur chuckles. "I'm not a fan of this song, though."
I sigh and lean against his arm. "Me neither,"
"Want to run and pray we don't fall?"
I look up at him with a grin before sprinting, laughing as the rain has already completely soaked me. Thankfully, the skirt I'm wearing is easy to run in, but my exposed legs are freezing. I hear Wilbur shouting and laughing behind me, but I don't give up, wanting to beat him. We walked since campus wasn't too far, and running gets us there a lot faster. We keep going all the way until we reach my room, earning plenty of strange looks.
I fall over in front of my door, dying of laughter and soon joined my Wilbur. He lies next to me, his hair stuck to his forehead. We struggle to catch our breath, finally stable after a couple of minutes.
"Holy fuck, how did you run so fast?" Wilbur asks, groaning as he sits up. "Adrenaline was the only help for me, and it still didn't do much. And my legs are twice as long as yours."
"I've played soccer my whole life, babe. If you can't run, you can't play."
"Still," He reaches his hands out to me, helping me stand up. "That was impressive. And kinda hot."
"Just kinda?" I smirk, pulling my key out and opening the door.
I thought Marie would be back home tonight, since her clothes are packed up for the end of the semester, but she's standing by her desk. She laughs as she sees us, quickly taking out her phone and snapping a picture of us. "Jesus, what did you guys do?"
"Ran through the rain." I giggle, Wilbur wrapping his arms around me from behind.
"Mental," Marie teases, giving my cheek a quick kiss. "I just had to grab some books, so I'll leave you two alone. I'll see you in the morning."
We both say goodbye to her and watch as the door shuts behind her. Wilbur immediately spins me around and begins kissing me, but I pull away after a few seconds.
"Slow down," I laugh, slicking back his soaked hair. "I gotta take a shower. Uh, I have some of your clothes in my suitcase, so you can borrow them. Just for the night."
"Ah, thank you for letting me borrow my clothes." Wilbur says, giving me another kiss. "I'll just stay in here and wait for you, I don't feel like showering."
"You need one," I tell him, sticking my tongue out before grabbing my pajamas, a towel, and my shower caddy. I walk to the showers, the first time it's been empty since everyone else has gone home for the break. I suddenly feel a pit in my stomach, the wave of emotions hitting me once again. This is the last time I'll shower here. The last time I'll sleep here. The place I've called home for the past semester that I'll never call home again. Last times for anything always make me feel sick; I'm awful with change. I finally got adjusted to my life here, and loving it, and now I'm going back home. Back to my sister, my mom, my best friend. But also, the school that hates me, the country that has my disgusting ex in it. I didn't have to deal with him again after my birthday dinner, but I know he'll find me once I get back home. Wilbur won't be there as a barrier. It'll only be me against the person who has caused me such immense pain that just smelling his cologne will give me a panic attack.
I lean against the shower wall, staring into space as the hot water hits against me. I cant leave this place, but I also can't stay. No matter what I do, I'll never be completely happy. Never feel completely safe.
I shake away my thoughts before they get too far, instead focusing on finishing my shower. I turn off the water and pull my pajamas on then wrap the towel around my hair.
As I walk down the hallway, the tears can't hide anymore. So much sadness and regret and fear rushes over me, leading me to break down the second I get into my room. Wilbur quickly gets off my bed and sits on the floor next to me, embracing me.
"I know," He whispers, not having to ask what's wrong. "I know, darling."
"I love it here," I sob, choking on my words, somehow spitting them out. "I cant leave. I can't leave you, or Marie, or Olivia, or Matt. But I can't stay. I miss my mama and Claire and Maddie."
Wilbur carefully takes the towel off my head and uses it to wipe my tears. "I know, baby." I hear his voice crack and realize he's crying a bit, too.
I lean my forehead against his, both of us just crying for a bit. We stay there for a few minutes before I decide to suck it up.
"Let's not waste our last night crying on the floor." I say, wiping both of our faces with my towel. "Let's talk and cuddle and kiss and watch Netflix until we can't help but fall asleep."
