Riggins

Chapter Fourteen

***6 months later***

"I can't believe it's happening," my mom was practically in tears sitting boxes down in my room.

"Mom, it's okay," I came over and hugged her tight.

"I know, but you're my baby and you're in college now," she sniffled.

"And I'll be fine," I comforted her.

"Hey Mrs. Rae, you've still got me."

I looked behind my mom to see Tim standing in the doorway. My smile changed fast. I knew I was going to miss my mom, but Tim was a whole other story.

I ran to him and he engulfed me in his arms.

"You're going to love it here baby," he kissed my head.

"It'd be better with you," I mumbled into his chest.

"Most things would be, but this is one you're going to do better. I'm going to find a job here and you're never going to get rid of me, you got it?"

I looked up at him simplify softly.

"I got it."

"Good," he moved his hands to cup my cheeks and kiss me softly. "We sadly have to make our way back home now," he rubbed my cheeks softly.

"I know. Keep my mom sane please?"

"Of course, she feeds me good," he laughed.

I smiled big and hugged him tight again then my mother. Then they were gone. 4 hours away from my favorite people. I could do it though. This was my way out. And once I was done I'd take Tim with me.

"Hey," I looked up to see a small blonde at the door.

"Hi," I waved walking towards her.

"You must be Ally. I'm Steph, your roommate," she came in for a hug.

I hugged her back, "it's great to meet you. I see you already have your stuff out."

"Yeah, my family came early," she stopped for a moment looking at something on the wall.

I turned to see a picture hanging up. I focused more to see it was her and a guy hugging tightly.

"And he had to get home too before boot camp," I looked back at her to see a tear coming down her cheek.

"Is he your boyfriend?"

She nodded slowly.

I placed my hands on her shoulders.

"Hey, I'm going to miss mine too, but we can do this together," I smiled.

She came in for a hug again. I couldn't blame her though. Tim could come visit me. Her boyfriend was going to boot camp. Who knows when she'll see him again. At least she'll have school and now me to keep her occupied.

"So," I said stepping back, "what branch?"

"Marines. Of course the longest boot camp branch."

"And the toughest, but that means he's just going to be even prettier when he's done," I winked and sat on my bed.

She laughed, "hard to imagine him any bigger."

I laughed, "which part?"

She started to laugh even harder. We both sat on our beds trying to stop from laughing. I liked this girl. I knew with her around I could make it without Tim for a while. We had each other and she got my sense of humor already.

***

"No way? What position did he play?"

"Fullback," I grinned eating my Chinese.

"Shut up! So did Jack!" she almost choked on her taco.

"No way? How in the world did we end up roommates," I laughed.

"Fate. The world knew we needed to be roommates," she smiled softly.

I learned so much about her in lesson the 4 hours. Jack her boyfriend was an only child living with an alcoholic dad. He was a fullback for his high school team and Steph refused to date him for 2 years. Once she gave in she never went back. Now he was going off into the military. He wanted to be great for her.

He was just like Tim.

She moved suddenly and her smile grew bigger as she looked at her phone.

"Hey baby," she answered smiling.

Jack had two days till boot camp then it'd be letters for each other.

I looked at my phone wondering why Tim hadn't called. He surely made it home by now. I decided to just call him.

"Hey babe," he answered almost instantly.

"Hey, did you make it home?"

"Yeah about 30 minutes ago and I couldn't get your mom to let me leave," he laughed.

I laughed lightly, "maybe you should just move in with her."

"That's not a bad idea actually. Then you'd come home on your breaks and I wouldn't have to be without you," I could here the little sadness in his voice. He was a big man to proud to say he was sad.

"I love you."

"I love you too Rae. And don't you dare forget it while you're gone."

"Don't worry, my roommate will keep me sane."

"Do you like her?"

"Oh yeah, her boyfriend is gone to boot camp so together we're going to survive."

"I'm glad baby."

"Tim?"

"Yes?"

"Don't miss me too much."

"No promises."