Wait No More

Part Thirty

As the sun began to rise, casting a soft golden hue over the campus, Olivia, Ethan, Sarah, and Shawn gathered their belongings in the common area of their dorm. The reality of their impending departure weighed heavily on them, each of them acutely aware that their time at Job Corps was coming to an end.

"Can you believe it's finally time to go?" Olivia asked, her voice tinged with a mixture of excitement and sadness. She folded her clothes, carefully placing them into her duffel bag, trying to keep her emotions in check.

"It feels surreal," Sarah replied, biting her lip as she packed up her toiletries. "We've all come such a long way together. It's hard to imagine not having you all around every day."

Ethan nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "This place has been our home for so long. It's going to be strange to leave it behind." He glanced over at Shawn, who was busy organizing his things. "But we've got each other's numbers, right? We can stay in touch."

"Of course," Shawn said, looking up with a determined smile. "This isn't the end; it's just the beginning. We've built something special here, and I want to keep it alive."

As they each took turns sharing their memories from their time together—laughing about inside jokes, reminiscing about late-night study sessions, and reflecting on the challenges they had overcome—an undeniable sense of nostalgia filled the air.

"I'll miss our late-night talks," Olivia said, her voice growing softer. "We've shared so much with each other. It's going to be hard not having you guys around to lean on."

Sarah reached over, giving Olivia a reassuring squeeze. "We'll always have those memories, and we'll make new ones too. Just because we're not here together doesn't mean we can't still be close."

As the moments passed, the reality of packing their lives into bags began to feel more daunting. Each item they placed into their bags represented not just their belongings but also the experiences and friendships they were leaving behind.

Finally, with everything packed and ready to go, they stood in a circle, taking a deep breath as they prepared to say their goodbyes.

"Promise we'll all meet up again soon?" Ethan asked, his eyes scanning each of their faces, searching for a commitment.

"Absolutely," Shawn said, raising his hand for a group fist bump. "We have to."

As Olivia stepped outside, the crisp morning air hit her, and she felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her. She took a moment to soak in the familiar sights of the campus—the worn pathways, the vibrant gardens, and the laughter of other residents who were also packing up. Just then, she spotted Jessica sitting on a bench, her hand resting gently on her slightly rounded belly.

"Jess!" Olivia called, her heart lifting at the sight of her best friend. She hurried over, unable to hide her smile.

"Olivia!" Jessica exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. She stood up slowly, careful to maintain her balance as she embraced Olivia tightly. "I can't believe you're leaving!"

"I know, it feels like a dream," Olivia replied, pulling back to look at Jessica. "You look amazing! How are you feeling?"

"Honestly? A little overwhelmed, but mostly excited," Jessica said, placing her hand back on her belly, a soft smile spreading across her face. "It's all happening so fast. I can't believe I'm going to be a mom soon."

Olivia's heart swelled at the sight of her best friend's glowing face. She gently reached out and rubbed Jessica's belly, feeling a connection that both felt deeply. "I can't wait to meet your little one," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "You're going to be such a great mom."