Escaping Lights - A Greyson Chance Fan Fiction

Chapter 26: Hope Too Slim

"You'll still go to the Cruciform practices, right?" Ruthie asked with her squeaky voice full of hope.

I nodded and smiled at her. She gave me a hug and continued, "I'll miss you being around. Also your stories. Thanks, Phoebe."

"Aw, you're welcome, Ruthie. I'm going to miss you too," I said then released her.

"Are these everything?" I heard Seth's voice from across the room, my room which would be back in Ruthie's possession starting now. I looked in his direction and saw him holding up my backpack and two other small bags that contained my stuff. "Yup, I think that's all," I replied.

"Well, are you ready to go?" he asked.

I hesitated to say yes but managed to let out a soft "Mm-hmm." We left the room and proceeded upstairs where everyone was waiting. As soon as my foot landed on the top step of, I felt a pang of heaviness inside me. This would probably be the last time I'm going to see the house. Ever.

I didn't want to leave. I've made memories in this house, even if it was just for a few weeks. I started to look around and snap photos of it in my mind. I didn't want to forget how it looked like. I didn't want to forget how it became my home when I didn't know where home was.

I would miss the intricate decorations, the soft couches, the curtain of beads that led to the kitchen, the largest collection of picture frames on the corner table, and even the door. The door that welcomed me first.

"Maddie is getting sentimental, Phoebe," Jared's voice snapped me out of my reverie. I jerked my head towards them just in time to see Maddie elbow Jared starkly on the ribs. A yelp escaped from him, causing me to giggle.

"Don't be so hard on Jared, Maddie. I know he's telling the truth. You're going to miss me," I said.

"Am not," she protested.

I raised a brow.

She rolled her eyes and gave up. "Okay, yeah, well maybe a little. I mean, we've shared some secrets and talked about a lot of stuff together, so..."

"My biggest regrets of having to leave you," I replied, laughing.

"Dammit, Phoebe, why can't you just stay?" Maddie interjected.

"Ask him." I pointed to Seth who stood beside me.

She turned to my brother. "Alright, smart guy. Why can't she stay? I mean, she's perfectly fine here. Obviously, she will suffer in your company."

"Hey, that's offensive!" Seth cried.

Maddie returned him a shrug. "Just answer the question."

Seth sighed. "I came here to collect her, so obviously, she has to go with me because obviously, I am her brother, and I am obviously capable of taking care of her. And since I am her brother, which is obviously her family, I obviously have every right to make her come with me." He spoke calmly but his emphasis on every 'obviously' gave me a hint that he was losing his patience.

"It's okay, Maddie. I'll still see you guys," I filled in, covering up for my brother's unusually rude behavior.

Maddie seemed unconvinced although Seth was right. "Right-o."

"Now, Maddie, don't keep them," Meredith interrupted. Then she faced us. "You kids take care, okay? There is a cab waiting for you downstairs."

"Thanks, Mer." I approached her and wrapped my arms around her, giving her a big hug.after letting go, I went to Maddie's side and embraced her as well. "Thanks, too, Maddie. I knew you never liked me at first, but I'm glad we became friends."