I Checked Out the Badboy's Boxers

(41) I Have to Go

"Are you really coming back for the holiday's? Gosh, I'm so excited now!" I exclaim into the phone. 

I haven't seen Elle in nearly a year. Life's been crazy for both of us. She switched her major in college almost as often as she's switched jobs in high school. Currently, she's decided on entering the medical field. I suppose, once she graduates and goes to additional schooling I'll hear from her even less. She calls me often, nearly once every few days to catch up. It's distant, but our friendship has somehow become even closer. After the incident with the miscarriage, I realized it was her choice not to tell me. It hurts, to know she didn't come to me, but if she didn't, she didn't for a reason. 

"Yes!" She shouts back, "I have a month off from school and I think I'll fly back home and visit."

 Her voice is so vibrant I feel as if she's standing next to me, even though she's across the country. I've missed her a lot, I really have. 

"Are you planning on staying with Parker and I?" 

"Parker and..you?" She questions. I can almost see her eyebrow raising. Shit, I thought he'd told her.

"Yeah, I'm in the process of moving in. We have an apartment, and most stuff there, but there's a lot still in my dorm room that I have to clean out."

"Hmmmmmmm. I wasn't aware of that." 

"I guess P didn't tell you, I thought he must've."

"Nope, I guess he didn't. If you guys ever-"

"Elle?"

"Shit, I have to go right now. I'll call you later."

"Already? Alright, talk to you soon I guess."

The rest of the day goes by pretty quickly. I unpack some boxes, clean up around our place a little, and then sit down, relaxing and waiting for Parker to get home. 

The minutes pass, and soon the door opens and I see my favorite smile in the world. 

"Hey you." I smile at him, "How was your class?"

"It was alright." He responds, "Nothing extra exciting about it. Today wasn't that great."

"I'm sorry to hear that love, is there anything I can do to help?" 

He smiles at me, "You could make me a plate of whatever delicious aroma is intoxicating the kitchen."

I jump up off the couch, planting a quick kiss on his lips before I walk into the kitchen and fix up two plates. 

"I need to talk to you about something Lex. Come over here once you're done with that."

I raise an eyebrow, "Is something wrong?"

"I guess so. I just got some news today." 

"What's that love?" I ask him, taking my hand in his.

"Elle and I are going to be leaving. She'll be here for a few days and then we have to go. My grandfather died and he lives, or lived, I guess I should say, in Seattle. We leave in a few days."

"Oh P," I lean across the couch to embrace him, "I'm so sorry."

"I just feel awful about it. We're finally making process on the whole moving thing, and now I'm going to be leaving."

"Hey, listen. I promise it'll be okay. You need to go. I'll keep up on the unpacking and sorting everything while you're gone. When you get back, we can work on it more together."

"I guess you're right." He responds, brushing his thumb over my hand, "Thank you." He says, kissing my cheek gently.

I smile softly at him, "I love you."

"I love you too, beautiful."

-

The time between Elle's arrival goes by rather quickly. I counted down the days on the calendar, and soon the days turned to hours and the hours turned to minutes. 

"Parker!" I yell into the bathroom, "Hurry up, she's going to be here soon! It doesn't take ten years to get dressed."

"Well." He smirks, "Maybe if someone wouldn't have taken all the clothes off of me, I wouldn't have to spend ten years putting everything back on."

"She's here!" I grin, and rush to the door, throwing it open, and launching myself into my best friend's embrace, "E! I have missed you so much. It's been way too long."

She smiles, her light pink lip gloss popping out against her tan californian glow, "I know! I've missed you so much. You really need to come see me more often. It sucks that we have to leave so soon, and for almost all of break too."

I frown a little, and she turns towards me, "Is something wrong?" She questions.

"No." I respond, "It's alright."

The days flew by even quicker than the ones before. Before I knew it, Elle and Parker were packing their bags, and on their way to the airport. 

"I'm going to miss you both so much." I bite my lip, trying to smile. 

I lean over and kiss Parker on the cheek, "I love you both. Fly safe." 

"Bye, I'll miss you!" Elle waves a smile before starting to walk towards her gate. I kiss Parker one last time, before he soon follows her. After that, I head out to my car, turn the key into the ignition, and drive back to the apartment. 

Even though they won't be gone long, I can't help but shake the odd feeling in my stomach. My mind races and my head won't shut off, as I toss and turn, attempting to find sleep. 

-

Two days later, I know why sleep hadn't come easy that night.