Hard Times

16

They spent the rest of the summer together, spending time with their friends or just spending time together. But it was the night before Brooke was set to leave for college.

Stacie had been quiet all day and now was just laying in bed while Brooke took a shower. She looked around the room, it was emptier now, most of Brooke's belongings had been packed away for college. Swallowing thickly, Stacie leaned back against the headboard. She didn't like the idea of being away from Brooke. Especially since she'd gotten into college and had no clue if they'd be able to meet up.

Stacie heard the shower turn off moments later and she sighed, running her fingers through her hair. She didn't want to say goodbye to Brooke, she didn't want them to lose contact.

Brooke was in the bathroom for a little longer than usual and when she emerged, hair still wet from the shower, she was already dressed in her pyjamas.

Stacie shifted on the bed and rolled onto her side, watching Brooke quietly.

Brooke brushed out her hair and sighed softly, yawning.

"What time do you leave?" Stacie asked quietly.

"Ten." Brooke said, turning her head to look over her shoulder.

Nodding her head, Stacie curled up on the bed and forced her eyes closed.

Brooke placed her brush down on the vanity and crossed the room to the bed. She crawled in beside Stacie. "Everything will be okay, I promise."

Sniffling softly, Stacie opened her eyes to reveal the tears in them. "What if you find someone better while you're gone?" She asked insecurely.

"I won't." Brooke promised. "I love you."

"I love you too." Stacie whispered, curling into Brooke and burying her face in the older girl's neck.

Brooke nuzzled Stacie's head. "Everything will be fine." She assured her.

Sniffling softly, Stacie tightened her arms around Brooke. "What if we can't make time for each other?" She asked quietly.

"We will." Brooke said confidently. "I'll drive the length of the country to see you if I have to."

Swallowing thickly, Stacie pulled back and searched Brooke's eyes. "Promise?" She asked quietly.

"I promise." Brooke said, leaning down to kiss Stacie's forehead.

Closing her eyes, Stacie relaxed against Brooke. "Okay." She whispered quietly.

"Let's sleep, it's been a long day." Brooke said quietly. She was exhausted from packing.

Shifting, Stacie laid her head on Brooke's chest and slowly drifted off to sleep.

Brooke drifted off to sleep too, her arms wrapped around Stacie.

*******

A week later

"No, it's weird. It says I have a roommate, but they haven't shown up." Brooke complained, looking at Peyton. "Like, why couldn't you be my roommate?"

Peyton shrugged. "My roommate hasn't turned up either and classes start tomorrow."

Groaning, Brooke dropped back on her bed. "This is ridiculous." She mumbled.

"Maybe they won't turn up and we can just bunk together." Peyton said, dropping onto the bed across from Brooke's.

"I still can't believe almost all of us got accepted to the same college." Brooke mumbled, pulling out her phone to check if Stacie had texted her back.