The next couple of days went by like a blurr. Kylie had informed me that Aaron was now sitting in a cell for assault and stalking, so that was a good thing. While I was in my daze that night, she had stolen my phone and called Clover to tell her what happened. Clover didn't believe her, but that was to be expected. I hardly left my bed, I didn't speak. Cole came every few hours to try to get me to eat. The few times I did talk, it was to tell Kylie to go have fun. She had the chance to live her dream and be friends with Dana, I wasn't going to be the cause of her missing it. Sophie stayed with me most of the time. She tried her hardest to get me to talk and smile, and I feel like a failure, because I just couldn't. I don't know what was wrong with me. My body was perfectly fine with everything, but I was in such a funk. Everything had turned so crazy so fast, my mind didn't know how to process all of it.
I was grateful for Cole being there for me, even if I felt horrible for practically ignoring him. He knew I was listening, though. He had come up with a system. Raise the Penguin's right hand for no, and left for yes. It had worked so far. He just couldn't ask me anything that wasn't a yes or no question. He stayed in my room during the nights, trying to keep the bad dreams away. Honestly, we spent a few normal hours together and that was it. I was truly happy to have a friend like him in my life. He reminded me of Clover in so many ways. I couldn't linger on it, though, I couldn't linger on anything, really.
"You have to get out of bed, Charlie...Your plane leaves in a few hours." I heard the words, but didn't want to listen. Listening meant understanding. Understanding meant doing. Doing meant leaving Kylie and all of my new friends behind. I would probably never see them again and it was killing me. "Girl, come on." It was then that I realized that it was Kylie sitting next to me, and not Cole. Something broke in me, and I wrapped my arms around her and just started to sob. The first emotion I had shown since the night Aaron came.
"I don't want to leave you, Kylie." She was shocked, but she hugged me tight and rocked me back and forth, trying to calm me down.
"It's okay, Mama Penguin. You'll see me again. I promise. I'm a big girl, now. I'll come visit you whenever I can." Her words brought me so much comfort, but I still didn't want to say goodbye. "Now come on, let's get you cleaned up. You need to look good for when you land." Finally I got out of the bed. Kylie got me into the shower, pulling me out an outfit from my bags. She was going to make me arrive in style, whether I wanted to or not.
When I got out of the shower, I got changed, and Kylie helped me with my hair and make up. We got everything packed up and ready by the time the boys knocked on the door. Kylie opened the door, and I only turned around, a sad smile on my face. Dalton was the first one to run to me, picking me up and putting me over his shoulder. "Nope! You're not going! I won't let you!" I laughed for the first time in days, and everyone stared at me. I gave a shy smile and Dalton put me down.
"Why don't you just come with me to the airport?" My voice was hoarse from days without speaking, but the boys nodded without hesitation. They would go in Jill's van, us girls would drive back in the rental car. It was finally time to go.
We loaded up into the cars and drove down to the airport. My flight would be boarding soon. This was all happening too fast. I didn't want to leave them. I'd grown attached to these wonderful boys, and it hurt to know I would never see them again. While standing at the gate, Kylie hugged me first. "Skype me every night, girl." I nodded with a laugh, trying to keep back the tears as Sophie came up.
"I'll get your number from Cole. We need to keep in touch. I'll miss you like crazy." This little one had become another little sister in a matter of hours, and I couldn't have loved her more. I hugged her tightly, smiling as I took off my prized posession and handed it to her. It was a black bracelet, with superhero symbols all around it.
"Remember me, ya?" I smiled at her, not letting her tears get to me. I was going to be strong.
I made it through the boys without a single tear until I made it to Cole. He was trying to hold back his own, and that broke me. I set my bags down and flung my arms around him, holding onto him as tight as I could. "I'll miss you the most." I whispered to him as I held on tight. He held on the same, shaking his head softly.
"I'll always be with you, and you with me. Text me every day. And remember me with this." As if the penguin he made for me wasn't enough, he pulled out a leather bracelet that was engraved with the word 'best'. He then held up his arm and showed me that he was wearing one as well, though his said 'friends'. The tears came again. I let out a sob and clung to him again, never wanting to let go.
"Now boarding for Los Angeles." I winced as the voice came over the loud speaker. I pulled away from Cole, wiping my face. I probably looked like a mess. Oh well, I would fix my make up on the plane. I started to head into the gate, turning back to wave at everyone. What I saw broke my heart. Everyone else was hugging tightly, except for Cole, who was staring at me with those sad eyes. I held up my hand, half of a heart, and he did the same. I stared back for a moment with the same sad smile before I turned around and got on the plane. It was time for my new life to begin.
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Hey Penguins! Hope you enjoyed this little filler chapter! The next one will be longer and more exciting, I promise! Also, it will be a lot more happy!
<3 Charlie <3
