Scars Left By Memories - Book II

Last Dinner

Christmas finally arrived. The day passed with us fidgeting with our new gifts. I had to admit. I had finally got to open the thing that I bought myself, a pair of white Nikes. I couldn't wait to pair it with the many outfits I had in mind.

Besides Christmas, these last couple weeks were extremely busy, things were really hectic. Most of my belongings that were here, have been shipped off back to California.

Past that, I have had so much fun, since the guys wanted to celebrate the last weeks. We done crazy things, things that my grandma wouldn't usually allow me to do. Like pulled an all-nighter and going out really late. Then we did usual activities, like laser tagging, ice skating, and enjoyed expensive foods. With the girls, we went shopping till we dropped.

We enjoyed our times as if we were still kids. Back to reality, Halle and I helped Sofia set up the farewell party. The days date was, December thirtieth. Only one more day until Halle and I would leave back to Los Angeles.

"Sofia, after you have your baby. Please, send me millions of pictures or FaceTime me." I said grabbing some forks from her silverware drawer.

"Don't worry Sage. It will probably be all over my instagram." Sofia reassures me. A frail smile grew on my face. I couldn't get over the fact that in many  months to come, Sofia will have her first baby.

"I am so ready to eat food." Martinez cheered. Francisco, Tom, and Jo followed behind him.

"Well you are going to have to wait a little longer. The appetizers for tonight is bread butter. Treat yourself to that." Sofia replied.

"I guess that will have to do." Jo said using the tongs to grab a roll with butter.

"At least it's food. Now before you grab any. Please let Dakota and Lee know that the food is. And Tom, will you grab Liam and Rafael." Sofia demanded, sounding like a mother already.

"Okay Mom." Tom said.

"Ha Ha, so funny. Now go get them." Sofia demanded, continuing to stir the soup.

Jo and Tom went their opposite directions to alert the others. I walked over to the dining table and setting the silverware on the table. There was going to be a lot of us at the table tonight, more than ever.

"I can't imagine leaving this place. It's like my second home now." Halle commented as I places the forks on top of the handkerchief.

"Me too. Maybe we will return in a couple of years, but for now, college is our main priority." I added.

"You nervous?" Halle questioned.

"Somewhat, but I know that some people from our school will probably be there. College also allows opportunities to meet new people, which means new friends." I positively commented.

"No new boyfriends." Francisco said pulling out a chair across from where I was setting down the fork.

"Okay, no new boyfriends." I confirmed to Francisco. "That means while I am gone, no flings or girlfriends either."

"Promise." Francisco said.

"Puking inside." Halle intruded.

"Fuck off Halle." Francisco replied.

"You're are seriously the biggest dick I know." Halle returned, but soon afterwards they both laughed. I enjoyed watching their love-hate relationship they had.

"You two are adorable." I said. They both roll their eyes at me. I chuckled at them. I see Jo with Dakota and Lee headed down the steps. Lee rubs his hands together, looking ready to eat.

Coincidentally, Tom came with Liam and Rafael, joining the table. Sofia walked over to the table and placed the pot of soup on the table. Martinez assisted her by setting down the main plates of food. Making it seem like, Thanksgiving part two. Halle grabs the drinks from the counter with red cups.

She sets them onto the table, when she was done, everything was set up. Desert would be placed on the table later. For now we finally got to dived into our meal. Everyone takes a seat at the table, thanking Sofia for the amazing dishes. I take a seat in between Francisco and Halle.

"I wanted to make this dinner special. Especially for the two girls who will be leave us tomorrow." Martinez announced at the end of the table. "Cheers to Halle and Sage."

"To Halle and Sage." They each said in unison, holding up their wine glasses.

"Thank you guys. This is all so sweet." Halle said. I smiled at her gratitude.

"She is right. I will miss all of you. Everyone here has something stellar about them. Something that makes you guys the perfect team and unforgettable. From Martinez's leadership. Rafael's kindness. Jo's sweetness. Sofia also having a leadership role, but in a different way. Tom's caring, and even sarcasm. Liam's strength and while he might not speak much, he helps the team. Dakota and Lee, coming to their differences and becoming one again friends. Jazzy a kind girl even when she didn't need to be." I explained.

That's when I turned towards Francisco. Who was at the opposite head of the table from Martinez. A gave him the largest smile.

"And Francisco. The one who I thought I would never get along with or enjoy his presence, but I was wrong. He is not perfect, but him being imperfect is what I love about him most. He doesn't care what others think about him. This is why it took a while to consider even leaving this place full of amazing people." I continued, but finished off.

"It's going to be hard letting you go." Martinez said. Which had me in surprise. Beyond everyone else, Martinez and I had never completely met eye to eye. Or has he ever sympathized with me. "We all support your decision of going to college."

"Thank you." I said. Martinez nodded his.

"Now let's dish in!" Jo excitedly said.

We all laughed, but prepared. As we all grabbed our glasses as Martinez prepared his.

"To dinner!" Martinez said raising his glass.

"To family." Sofia raises her glass.

"To each other." Jo added in.

"To have good laughs." Tom said after.

"To having food." Rafael stated as we chuckled.

"To love." Francisco said looking at me. I smiled in return. In that moment, I realized that I wasn't only grateful for those things and this was the perfect time to honor him.

"To Tristan."

***

Only. One. More. Chapter. Till the end. It's going to be hard for me to leave this book after being attached to the characters for two years. The chapters I write, remind me of the events occurring as I wrote them.

But hopefully you guys will enjoy the next book coming out. It's just sad to let it go. Last chapter, will be quite emotional. Get your tissues ready.