lunch, caitlin clark

37 | packing up

i've decided that when the cover changes that's how you know the story is done. i'm trying to find a good picture but i think the picnic is kind of ironic with the title.

iowa | the girls apartment | packing

The team decided that they would help us pack Caitlin up. Honestly it's just an excuse to spend some time with the seniors before we all leave. I didn't have the heart to tell them no.

Jada and Gabbie pulled me out into the hallway without telling me why. So I'm possibly being kidnapped.

"Are you guys okay?"

"No, that's why we stole you from the girls."

That still doesn't clear anything up but okay. My head nods slowly. Gabbie sniffles a little and it brings a frown on my face.

"Look, I'm still going to visit you guys. No matter where you are. And coach has asked me to come and join a practice or two when I get the chance. So it's not like I'm abandoning you Jada. And Gabbie, you might have graduated but I'll visit you wherever you go."

Their tears finally escape their eyes and they fall onto their faces.

"I think I'm still in denial about everything. Season isn't over, you aren't leaving, and I'm not leaving either." Gabbie says.

"You guys are two of my best friends. We're going to talk every day. I want you through all the highs and lows of my life." This time they both start crying and it makes me want to cry.

Why did I have to have a life when I moved here? Why didn't I become a lonely person so that I wouldn't have to regret the goodbyes.

"Well we wanted to make sure you wouldn't forget us by giving you a goodbye gift."

I didn't think anyone would get me anything. I got everyone a little gift to say goodbye but I didn't know if I meant enough to be on the receiving end of it.

Hannah gave me a bracelet that had our initials on it. It was so cute that I made her put it on me this morning. She has a matching one. I can't wait to watch her grow as a player.

Jada holds out a bag for me and I take it. I redux my hand inside and take a book out. Well not really a book. It looks homemade like a scrap book.

I already want to cry because this had to have taken a lot of time and thought.

"Guys..."

"No."

"Open it."

I stay silent and do. The front photo is the three of us in New York. We had a game and were all showing off our pizza slices.

The next photo is a collage of us when we took photos in a photo booth at the movie theatre. Barbie had been released and I was new but they convinced me to take some pictures. They also let me style them which was great because I love pink.

There are little notes on the side in their handwriting.

They're all so thought out and considerate and it makes me want to die. Tell me how I managed to deserve this?

I flip the page and I hold the book to my chest. A choked cry comes out of my throat and they bring me in to a hug. It was the night after the interview came out and the two of them and Hannah took me out for ice cream. I look absolutely horrible but they made that night perfect for me.

"We thought that even though you have all these on your phone that this would be more memorable. You should have seen us cry while putting this together."