No Strings Attached ; j.g

t w e n t y - s i x

We all raised a coconut for Koi as we stood by the waves. "He'd want this," Hash said as he lit a joint. He took to puffs and passed it. We passed it around and around until it was gone. Then we put another joint into a balloon, blew it up, and let it go. We watched it soar up into the sky. "Higher than a kite," Hash laughed.

We all stared for a while, watching the balloon go up. I couldn't help but feel sad. We were only going to be here another day, and it was going to be a sad road trip without our favorite guy.

We walked up to the van and sat in the sand around the fire we'd made earlier that day, that was out now. We stared at it, no flames welcomed us warmly. Lifeless.

"I think I'm gonna go to sleep," Ziggy said as he stared at the firewood. Everyone else groaned and did the same. I sighed and looked to Jack. He waved me over and stood up.

We slowly walked to his car, "wanna talk about anything?" he asked.

"Not really," I said sadly. "I don't have as much right to be sad as the hippies."

"Alexis, you can't deny your own right to be sad. Hell, I'm sad and I don't even know the guy," he kissed my forehead.

"I don't know, I just miss him and his cheesy, fun personality. He knew how to have fun," I smiled. "I think having that ceremony helped a lot, I know he's smoking hella dope up there," I laughed.

"Probably," he smiled. "I just remembered, we were gonna leave," he said as he started the car. "Where to?"

"Let's just- let's go have some fun," I nodded. "Actually, let's go nap because it's been a long ass day."

-

I roll over onto my side and open my eyes. I see shirtless Jack quietly snoring with his mouth open just a bit. I stared at him until he flinched a little and opened his eyes.

"That's not creepy at all," he said as soon as e realized I was staring at him. "What're you doing?"

"Just observing," I said as I stared at his facial features. "You're really cute when you sleep," I smiled.

"You're really cute in general," he smiled back and yawned. "What time is it?" I look at the clock beside me.

"Nine a.m.," I answered. "Let's go down to the camp, before we- before the flight," I correct. I didn't know what I was gonna do, leave or stay. I didn't wanna ruin things again.

"Alright, I have some of your clothes here," he says and tosses me jeans and one of my favorite sweaters. "It's supposed to be a litter colder today," he said as he put on a sweater and jeans.

He drove down to the beach and we quickly got out of the car. I rushed over and saw the hippies were packing things up. "Ah, thought you weren't gonna make it!" Misty said and hugged me. "You have everything?" she asks.

"Wait, what? You're leaving?" Jack asks with his hand on my shoulder. Misty looks at him and then to me.

"Um, Jack can I have a minute with them please?"

He sighs, "do whatever," he walked to the car and sat on the hood.

"Misty, hippie friends, this has by far been the best adventure. You guys helped me make so many memories, but I think I'm going to stay," I say, hoping they wouldn't be too upset.

"We understand," Ziggy says with a sympathetic smile. "We figured you and Jack wanted to be together, so it's cool. We'll have to visit soon!"

"When's your guys' flight?" I ask.

"A couple hours, but we have a lot of packing to do, and we're gonna head to the airport a little early," Ziggy answers.

"Oh, well have a safe trip. I'll miss you guys," I make a sad face and hug all of them. "I love you guys, thanks for making this a great two and a half months!" I crouched down and kissed Doobie's nose. "I'll miss you, boy," he whined and licked my face. "You be good!"

They were apart of the two and a half months that I'd never forget.