Cupcake A Day

Chapter Eleven:

"Hey guys!" I call to the car, running to hug all of them.

"It been like five days, seriously?" Carter jokes, "How will you last a year without us if you cant survive five days?" He laughs, my face falters but then returns to its smile. Lucas flashes me a smile, unpacking the bags while I give him a side hug.

"I have no clue." I go to Tristan and Ashton and hug them too. "Hey Boss Man, Ashy!" I turn around and Poppy, Stace, Graceful, and Rosie are all helping the boys into the house.

It is just me looking to Micheal while he gets the last bags. His eyebrows furrow, while he looks at something on his phone. He grabs his bag and turns around.

"Hey!" He says, partially surprised. "Goldie you waited for me."

"Of course," I say sheepishly. "Do you need help with any bags?"

"Nah, could you shut the trunk door for me?"

"Yep." I reach up on my tipie toes exposing my belly and grab the trunk door.

"You look cute when you are struggling." The corners of his mouth turned up into a smile.

"Thanks." I groan sarcastically, walking back to the house.

"But in all seriousness, are you going to be okay when you move back?" He whispers near my ear. "It's only been five days apart from all of us."

"I will be just fine." I assure him. "This is what I want."

"Okay." He agrees, quickly looking around before leaning in again. "I don't believe that BS for one second Austyn. I know you, don't forget that." He sends chills up my spine because I know he is 100% right. This move is going to be so hard, and I don't know if I am ready for it.

***

time skip: one month later

Tears prick my eyes as I try not to cry. My scrapbook is almost done except for the last four pages reserved for this year. I flip back and fourth on the two pages dedicated to London, looking at my favorite photos of me and Graceful and Rosie.

"You're starting a new chapter." I tell myself. "These blank pages are going to be photos of you and Micheal and Food Network Star Baking and Hailey and Ryan and all the awesome new friends you will have." I sigh. "Don't be sad and don't be nervous, this is your dream." I wrap the scrapbook up and bury it among clothes for extra safety.

Now comes my hardest goodbye.

I had a "bon voyage" party last week, and I said goodbye to everyone then, except for one.

I open the door to Graceful, whose eyes are red and slightly puffy, from crying. Seeing that I burst into tears myself.

"I... don't want you... to leave." Graceful says in between sobs. "But... you need... too."

"I know." I nod, tears streaming down my face. "I will miss you so much."

"Me too." She stops crying and so do I. "I love you so much Austy, don't forget about me."

"How could I? I love you so much, you mean the world to me."

"You need to text me every day, I need updates."

"Okay." I smile. "I will."

I hug her for the last time for awhile before she leaves, and I am left to cry by myself.

***

I patiently wait for Micheal to text me back or show up. He said he would be here by now, but maybe he got stuck in traffic. LaGuardia Airport is always crazy crowded, and I should know, I have flown out from here too many times to count. Most of my stuff is already at the apartment, it got there one way or another, so I am just left with my small suitcase and backpack, waiting outside in the humid air.