Always Together (One Direction AU)

Chapter 1

“I’m going to miss you guys so much,” Finn pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me here all alone. With no one.”

“You have your brother,” Ronnie pointed out, stooping to pick up her bag and sling it around her shoulders. “He’s someone.”

“A boring someone,” Finn whined. “He’s no rock climbing retreat, no comic book seminar. Certainly no soccer camp. Take me with you!”

“What about me? I’m here!” Grace said indignantly.

“Only until you leave for the Arctic circle or wherever,” Finn complained. “Summers are supposed to be our thing.”

“The UK, Finn. The UK.”

Finn rolled her eyes at this. “Same difference. You’ll be a thousand miles from me either way.

“We’ll all write, and it’s not like we’ll be gone forever,” India rationed.

“I’m still going to be miserable.”

“We love you, Finn.”

“Whatever,” she huffed, trying not to tear up. India leaned into her shoulder, waving the others over. They all circled around, arm around shoulder next to shoulder, heads ducked in.

“This doesn’t mean summer isn’t our thing, Finn. It’s just a long-distance thing this year,” Ronnie said. “We’ll be back together next summer.”

“Yeah, until everyone heads off to different universities,” Finn grouched. A hush fell over the group as it dawned on them that they wouldn’t always be together.

“This feels oddly like that America Ferrara movie,” Ronnie said.

“How to Train Your Dragon? Real Women Have Curves? I don’t understand how either of those are relevant to our current situation,” India said.

“Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, dummy.”

“I still don’t see the connection.”

Grace, ever the optimist, spoke up. “Let’s not let the future keep us from enjoying the present. Also, Ronnie, your plane just announced last boarding call, so get your athletic ass to the gate.”

“Shit,” she whispered, backing out of the huddle. “I love you, I love you all! I’ll call you when I land!” she yelled, already running, her blonde ponytail swishing on her backpack, duffel on her shoulder.

“I guess that means I should get going too,” India sighed, giving Finn one last squeeze. “I promise to keep you updated, complete with illustrations,” she said, grinning.

“Let’s keep it PG, please. You know Jack likes to open my mail,” she said, referring to her twin.

“There’s a reason they call it graphic design.” India wriggled her eyebrows, pulling up the handle on her luggage. She turned to leave, pulling it behind her, the wheels bouncing across the tile.

Finn looked at Grace, and Grace looked at Finn. “It’s only a matter of time before you leave me too.”

“Shut up and stop feeling sorry for yourself, FInnie. Let’s go get ice cream,” Grace offered, putting an affectionate arm around her friend.

~~~

Dear Finn, Grace, and India,

I’m writing this while sitting at the top of one of our practice walls. The vertigo is real. I didn’t know my hands could sweat so much.

My instructor said I’m a natural. I get to go out on the next trip. We’ll be climbing an actual-factual mountain. Can you believe it?!?!

The food here is pathetic. Send help and/or Luna bars.