Forever & Always

Epilogue

"I think that's everything," I said, shoving the last box of stuff into the overflowing trunk of our car. 

Today was the day! College. New York City. My future. All were looming over me, and it felt like staring down the barrel of a gun. I had spent the last three weeks of summer freaking out like crazy over what to bring, whether I had enough stuff, what was I doing with my life, etc. Naturally, when I saw the mountain of stuff that had accumulated in the house in preparation for the move, I could tell I had MORE than enough. 

We were flying, so we were on a tight schedule, trying to get everything together in time to get to the airport for our flight. Thankfully, Liam was coming with Chris, my mother and I on the plane, which was comforting. I would be clinging to him for the first couple of weeks of school before I got my bearings. A familiar face would be what I needed to stay sane. He had finished packing and was waiting behind our car so that we could head out. 

Sara had about a week before she had to move in, so she was there with us too, anxiously pulling at her t-shirt and getting emotional every now and then. It was hard enough seeing the pieces of my room be carried out into the car without her whimpering off to the side, but I was glad she was there, because I was starting to lose it at moments too. Chris just kept rolling his eyes at us and mumbling, "Women." 

My mother came back out with my notebook of the music I had been writing over the summer. "Here," she said, handing it to me. "You almost left this on the piano. I figure you're going to need it, don't you?" 

I laughed. "Yes, thank you," I said, taking it and putting it into my bag. "I can't believe I left it there. I thought I had packed it, but I've been so scattered lately."

"Are you sure you really have to go?" Sara blurted out, tears welling up again. I nodded with a sympathetic smile. 

"Yeah," I said, giving a small laugh, but welling up too. "I do have to. But, hey, it's not going to be long before we're all back here again, getting into trouble, refusing to act our ages."

She laughed and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "It's going to be okay," I said, putting my hand on her shoulder. 

"Are you saying that for my sake or yours?" she asked, as my hand started to shake. 

Laughing, the tears started to spill down my cheeks. "I'm not really sure, to be honest." 

I wrapped my arms around her and held on tight. Sara was my first friend here, and it was hard saying goodbye. Side note though, aren't you proud of me for actually doing the goodbyes? They were my least favorite thing, but here I was! I guess I HAD started maturing. Took long enough. Puberty is a fickle bitch, you know that? 

I let go of Sara and turned to Liam. "Don't you want to get in on this?" I asked, wiping my eyes. 

He was leaning against the hood of his car, his arms folded with a smile on his face. "If I must," he said, walking over to us in a falsely begrudging way. "But don't expect me to join in on the crying." 

I punched him in the arm for good measure, but he joined in and the three of us stood there, holding each other close for the last time before Christmas. Lacey had already moved in so she I had already said my goodbyes to her. Also, emotional, in case you were wondering. But this is an epilogue to this story, you don't want it to be all sobbing and nostalgia, do you? Nah, didn't think so.

"Where's Shane?" Sara sniffled as we all let go and fanned out in a semicircle. 

I shrugged, looking up and down the street, hoping to see his blue convertible coming towards my house. "I don't know," I answered in a  deflated voice.