Together We Stand

thirty

(A/N: last chapter...thanks to everyone who has kept up with this story. I love you all xxx)

JULY 4

"Elle!" Hayley exclaimed, her eyes wide as I stepped out from the bathroom. "You look amazing! Luka's going to be all over you like me on pizza, no joke!"

"Why didn't you just say, 'Like me on Danneel'? I think that's more fitting," Danneel piped up, flipping her black hair out of her dark brown eyes. Her and Levi could almost be twins, I think.

"Because that's inappropriate!"

"It's true though!"

"I don't look that great," I admitted and Hayley rolled her eyes.

"You look gorgeous."

"Your butt looks fantastic in those jeans," Danneel admitted.

"Danneel!"

"What? You can't say it, so I did."

"Let's get started on your hair," Hayley squealed, making me sit down on a chair. She began to French braid my hair, before tying it off and setting it over my left shoulder. I smiled as I looked into a mirror.

"I love it."

"Makeup?" Danneel asked.

"Special request from Luka to not do makeup. He said this exactly 'My sunshine looks perfect without it. Don't mess that up.'"

Danneel squealed, fanning her face.

"You two are so cute, I'm gonna die!"

"You better not," Hayley murmured, before grinning at me. There was a knock at the cabin door, causing both Hayley and Danneel to squeal. I heard Luka laugh on the other side of the door. "Go get 'em, tiger!" Hayley yelled, pushing me to the door. I opened it and saw Luka standing there. I felt my cheeks darken as I saw how absolutely amazing he looked right now, a Black Sabbath t-shirt on, with a leather jacket over it, and dark jeans with a few holes in them.

"Girl, if you don't get that fine piece of ass, I'll do it myself. And I like girls," Danneel piped up, causing Hayley to slap her shoulder.

"Hey, sunshine."

"Hi." I'm surprised I wasn't drooling right now. Hayley pushed me out and closed the door. I tripped and fell against Luka, causing him to catch me.

"Alright there, twinkle toes, calm down," Luka muttered and I blushed, hitting his chest.

"Shut up."

He just laughed and helped me up. I looked to him.

"Where are we going?"

"Do you like pizza?"

"Yeah."

"Good. I'm taking you to my favorite pizza joint in New York."

"Ooh, exciting."

"And then we're coming back and watching the fireworks," he finished.

"I love fireworks."

"I figured you would."

ONE MONTH LATER

I liked this kind of silence. It was just Luka and I in the training area. No one was there, and it was silent, but it was perfect. I was sitting inbetween Luka's legs, my back against his chest, his arms wrapped around my waist with his chin resting on my shoulder. We were just sitting there, enjoying each other's company. Until my dork had to ruin it.

"I made you something," he piped up, breaking the silence. He pulled something out of his pocket. It was a rectangular cardboard box, with a red boy tied delicately around it. "I figured that since you're leaving camp to finish school-"

"You're too sweet," I murmured and slid the bow off, before opening it to find a black chain with a beautiful stone on it that looked suspiciously close to Luka's eyes.

"I figured you like it since...you know, it's your favorite color," he said and I smiled.

"I love it. Help me put it on."

He helped me put it on and it fell right next to my heart. I smiled and leaned against him, causing him to wrap his arms around me again.

"I'm going to miss you," he whispered.

"I'll miss you too, but we can talk as often as you like. You can even help me with algebra."

"Well, first off, you know I suck at algebra. Second, you don't even take algebra your senior year," he explained and I rolled my eyes.

"Laugh at my joke."

"Ha...ha?"

I pouted and I saw him smile out of the corner of my eye.

"I can't believe this is your last day here at camp."

"Me neither. Can you believe it's only been four months?" He shook his head, before sighing.

"I'm going to be so lonely." He pouted. "So, so lonely..."

"You can't convince me to stay, Luka. I'd love to, but I have to finish school. I actually have goals for my life, you know."

"What do you want to be?"

"Happy."

"I mean, what career?"

"Oh...well, I'd love to be a teacher, but I'd never have the patience. I also really want to be a paleontologist."

"Oh...I dig that."

"Was that a pun?" He just smirked. "Get out." He laughed, before kissing my cheek lightly. I smiled, feeling my cheeks warm up a bit.

"Elidi?" A girl asked, walking into the training area. "There's a new camper, and they've requested to see you."

I raised an eyebrow, before nodding.

"Alright. I'll be right there." I went to get up, but Luka's arms tightened around me.

"Stay just a little longer?" he asked and I sighed.

"I wish I could, but duty calls."

"You could blow them off, y'know?"

"Chiron has requested that you come as soon as possible," the girl piped up and I turned to look at Luka, raising an eyebrow.

"Fine," he said regretfully, loosening his grip. I got up and he grabbed my wrist. "Do I get a goodbye kiss?" I rolled my eyes playfully, before pecking his lips gently. When I pulled away, I saw him pouting. "That was weak."

"I'm not going to have a full-on makeout sesh with you when there are people around," I said and he frowned.

"Fine."

I kissed him again, before smiling.

"Bye."

He just smiled as I walked away, following the girl to the Big House. We walked inside and Chiron looked at me.

"Hello, Elidi," he said, smiling.

"Who's the new camper?"

Someone walked out into the living room, and I felt my chest seize up. I saw that familiar Colgate smile, the perfectly styled strawberry blonde hair, and the dark blue eyes that he shared with Layla.

"Aaron?!"

T H E E N D

(A/N: whoop there it is)