Georgia's Last Words

Chapter Sixteen

“I can’t believe we’re back on campus already.” I sigh deeply. 

The buildings of Columbia loom in front of the parked car. It seems deserted for once. I find myself missing Montana or at least the open road. We’re finally home and for the first time, I find myself wanting to go away. I don’t really want to be back. There’s also the small fact of having to go to therapy tomorrow that makes me want to drive in the opposite direction. 

“I feel so stupid.” Cooper smacks his forehead with his hand, then starts to fumble in the back seat for something. 

“Why?” I ask, my curiosity grabs a hold of me. 

“I had you come with me for Christmas, but I forgot my gift to you in the car and I have just now remembered.”

“You didn’t have-”

Cooper interrupts me, “Don’t say it. Girls always say that they didn’t want the gift then are sadly disappointed when they don’t get something. So please take it with gratitude.” 

I take the small wrapped present from his hands. “Thank you.”

“Open it.”

“I am.” I rip off the wrapping paper, not in a neat way either. Underneath the poorly wrapped gift is a small, plain black box. I give Cooper a look but he nods for me to continue. I lift the top of the box and smile at its contents. 

Inside is a silver heart necklace. It is simple, but the bottom of the heart twists itself, creating a bit of infinity upon itself. A truly beautiful necklace. 

“Thank you. I love it.”

“Really?” Cooper seems unsure about my enthusiasm. 

“Yes, really. Thank you.” I smile, but then it is replaces by a frown.

“What’s wrong?”

“I didn’t give you my gift either and it’s in my dorm. I’m so sorry.”

He kisses my cheek. “Don’t worry about it. You can get it later.”

I sigh again. “Do we really have to get out of the car?”

Cooper shakes his head. “No, we can sit here for awhile if you want.”

I nod my head and we sit. I stare at the buildings and the grass. There’s the tree I cried in front of with Cooper. Trash scatters the ground, which sort of ruins the whole reminiscing part. 

Cooper slides his hand into mine. I look over at him and smile. 

He makes me so happy. There’s this feeling of warmth in my heart every time he touches me. It’s like I’m constantly frozen, then he stands close to me and I thaw. Cooper is my rain during the drought, my sun in the middle of winter, and my light in the dark. I don’t even understand how I survived without Cooper. It seems impossible. 

I roll down the window letting the air blow into the car. Leaning my head against the seatbelt, I close my eyes. Deep breaths and frigid air chill my bones. Cooper doesn’t say anything, mostly he just rubs my hand as if he is communicating without a word. 

Shaking my head, I give in. “Let’s go, I’m ready to get this over with.”

“C’mon then.” Cooper slides out the door and walks to the trunk. 

Reluctantly, I follow. My feet trudge to the back of the car. There’s this nasty gut feeling of reality sinking in my stomach. I pick up my bags, Cooper leaves his, he’ll come back for it later. We start walking, he takes most my bags, but still manages to hold my hand.