Don't Blame Me: Genius

Goodbye

~Hope pov~
Thursday Morning
I woke up drowsy from the tears that led me to sleep last night. I cried myself to sleep thinking about crazy scenarios that may happen in college. Like what if I fail all my classes or what if something happens to my mom while I'm away, or what if Tess and I- stop thinking Hope. I told Tess I needed this day alone, she understood. We are packing today. We are packing today. Fuck that hurts to say. I'm leaving my home for another home soon but today... Today we go around and say goodbye.

Around One PM
"Bye grandma, I love you", I kiss my elder on the cheek. "When I get a week off, we'll take that trip to France, okay?,". Grandma smiled and told me that she loved me. She's fluent in most languages. She made it a point to learn about every ethnicity and their culture. She loved to travel the world and always said that one day, France was going to be scared of our arrival. She's comical.

I stepped on over to my grandpa. "Hey old man," I smiled big. He chuckled and pulled me into a shoulder hug, "Now. You know, those college boys aren't gonna want to keep away from a beautiful girl like you so-," my eyes got wide. "Grandpa relax, I don't need that safe sex talk,". He chuckled, having no idea what I meant but gave me a loving hug anyway.

Although there was a hint of a breeze, it was hot outside. Mom and I got to the car without fainting, it was that hot. I melted into the front seat of my car. My mother insisted that she drive so I wouldn't be crying at the head of a wheel. I hadn't broken down yet, I still had a few more people left to visit. There wasn't a need to say goodbye to Malia, I was going to see her tomorrow and over again for the next four years. I was missing something, someone but I couldn't place it.

We came to a red light two towns over, just before needing to turn into Auntie 'Mara driveway. "Hey. How about Tina and I take you and Tess out for breakfast before you move in tomorrow," my mom looks over to me. Some of my sadness floated away after I agreed.

My aunt opened the door. "Hey, Amara", my mom greeted her more friendly twin sister. Beautiful auburn curls that went well with her big brown eyes. Her confidence shone through her brown skin, just like my moms. I couldn't decipher the look that was given on auntie's face. It wasn't really a look though, more a Ihaventtalkedtoyouinagesandnowyoushowuponmydoorstepforwhat kinda stare. "Auntie 'Mara!!" I cut the tension by running into her arms. My Mom told me they were inseparable until my aunt Amara traveled the world with grandma after college.

"I'm so proud of you, and if you need anything , you have my number," Auntie smiled at me. We didn't stay as long as I'd hoped to. I mean, we were catching up and saying goodbye. All's well and ends well.

Around Seven PM
We'd been home for about forty five minutes or so. I swear it felt like I had been around the world already today. I went to say goodbye to a few more friends I had made throughout these four years, and then Mom and I went to dine in at a restaurant for dinner.

We were tired from getting up early today, and from all the emotions. Mom and I had flopped down on the couch, my head in her lap, her running a hand through my hair. I let out a big sigh, which resulted in a long tear down my face. "Mom..."
"Yeah baby?,"
"Are you okay?" I asked her. Her eyebrows lifted. "Or...will you be okay? You know, since mommy left again and now I'm-"
"Hope, baby. You don't need to worry about me. I'm okay, as long as you are okay. Are you?". I sat up to face my mother, another tear falling from my eye.
"Today was a good day, Mom." I faintly smiled. "But...I need to make it a great day. I need-,". Mom interrupted me and smiled, as she knew exactly what I needed. "-I know. I'll leave a key under the mat."

I knew exactly where I was going and it didn't take me long to get there. I pulled up to a white painted brick house and a pebbled driveway with a loaded flower bed. The outside scenery was renovated but it still gave nostalgic vibes. I stepped out of my car breathing in a deep breath of warm outside air, keeping my breakdown dormant.

Knock knock knock. I gave three to the front door, and listened to see if I heard footsteps. I didn't. I couldn't just stand there so I sighed and turned away. Just then I heard a click. I stopped when the softest voice I haven't heard in a long time spoke to me. "Hope?,"
My heart quenched and my voice quivered,
"Hi, Ren"
——

It took a minute for us to come out of the trance that was us seeing each other. It's been a year and some change but those Hazel eyes haven't changed. "What are you doing here?" She finally rang out. Her tone of voice had taken me aback. Of course she didn't expect me. I then remembered, we're not even friends. She's someone I dated for a few months, happens to miss and don't want to leave on a bad note. Not saying we did last time but still.

I lowered my head in sadness and shame,"I just wanted to see how you were doing," I lied.
I looked to see her narrowing her eyes at me, I'm caught. "Come in,". She led the way to a beautiful black and white marble kitchen. I was in awe at all the portraits on the wall, hers of course. "I remember you said you were never coming back. Are you staying with your dad for the summer?". She nodded and handed me a glass of water then leaned up against the kitchen counter. "I mean, yeah I guess you could say everything is well. The art center is flourishing. And I'm officially heading to college this year. I also did some work on dads house for him, as you can tell. I don't know, I love the way my life turned out...sometimes,".

"Sometimes?" I questioned. She looked me up and down then took a sip of her water. I huffed out a small laugh, "I'm sure your mom would be proud of you. Where's your dad anyway?" I asked innocently, only to walk into a trap.
"Oh he's out. That gives you enough time to tell me why you're really here."
She stood crossing her arms with a raised eyebrow. "You're not drinking water and going down memory lane because you want to check on me, so what is it?,"
I stuttered, "Uh-umm. Well, I leave for law school tomorrow. And I just wanted to say um goodbye,".

Tears started to swell in my eyes when Ren stepped closer to me. She put both hands on my shoulders. "I'm gonna tell you like you told me," she said. "You are going to be great. And don't let anyone tell you differently," she cracked a smile. I could feel the tears festering, and I was determined not to breakdown but as soon as she wrapped her arms around me, I melted.

Ren eventually pulled back, only for me to notice a tear falling from her face. I lightly gasped, "Cirenity Blake, are you crying? Don't tell me you miss me, I'm trying to keep humble," I winked.
"Fine, I won't tell you," she smiled big, which resulted into a shared laugh.

I stayed over at Rens until about eleven to catch up on all things life. There were so many laughs and ongoing conversations that I didn't know I had in me. We had grown so much from last year and I just know I would have regretted not going to see Ren. Almost as much as I regret staying out late tonight when I have to get up early to move in tomorrow.