Dusk Till Dawn (A Liam and Ally Story)

Chapter 17

Ally's POV

I was in my room, digging into my closet. I was packing some clothes and items of mine to head to Long Beach. I needed to leave as soon as possible so that I could find Troy. And if Betty was right, then I could be stress-free.

I heard two knocks behind me. It was Camila. I looked at her bandage, and it made me feel guilty. "Hey," she began.

"Hey," I responded unsurely. I set the folded clothing down in my suitcase and gave Camila a sympathetic look.

"You're seriously going?" Camila questioned.

I nodded. "Yeah. But I don't want to leave you behind. I wish I could take you, but we don't have the keys to the car and considering the risk, I can't."

"I know," Camila said, playing with her hands. She looked down on it and gave the same look she always does when she feels like she was a pain; her lips quiver as if she was about to cry but she wasn't about to cry and her eyes were closed. "But I hope you find him and put him behind bars."

I rolled my eyes playfully and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm going to miss you."

Camila patted my back. It was strange how she was being the big sister, even though I was older. I enjoyed it though. "Don't worry. I'll only be a call away when you need to talk or someone to listen to."

I nodded on her shoulder. "Yeah," I said softly. I could feel my eyes getting puffy already. The both of us had never really been separated from each other since we met. It was kind of hard to let go.

I broke the embrace, but my hands were holding onto her arms. I looked at her straight in the eyes and she started to get a little teary. "Hey," I whispered. "I will call you every night whenever I can." Camila nodded.

"Aww," I heard Dinah's voice whined. We both turned to her and she walked to us. She looked at me with concern. "Are you sure you don't want to come with me? I am going there this weekend to apply for a new job."

"You're quitting your job?!" Camila said in a loud whisper. Dinah nodded. Camila wrapped her arms around Dinah. "Well, I hope you get the job there. Whatever it is, you deserve it."

"Thanks," Dinah said, hugging her back.

A few seconds later, they looked back at me. Dinah looked at my suitcase and widened her eyes. "Do you seriously have to pack this much?" She asked.

"Well, yeah, of course," I sassed, causing Dinah to drop her mouth. She touched her heart and pretended to be offended. I shook my head at her humor and responded while chuckling a little, "No, actually, I don't know how long I will be staying there, but I know that it won't be long. Hopefully." I added that last part quickly.

"Well, you better get going," Dinah said. "It's almost two. You don't want to be late. I'll stay here with Camila. Lauren and Normani will send you off."

I nodded. I grabbed both of their hands and held them in mine. "I don't know why I'm making this a bigger deal than it is," I began before a tear streamed down my cheeks. "I guess, it has been a long time since I've been by myself."

I heard Dinah whimpered as she nods along. The three of us got into a big group hug.

After a while, I walked down the stairs, carrying my luggages. I saw Lauren and Normani walking towards me as I was heading out the doorway.

"You got everything?" Lauren asked.

I was going to answer but Normani wrapped her arms around me tightly. "Mani..." I said.

Normani shook her head in between my shoulder and cheek. "I know, but I'm really going to miss you."

"I am too," I said, patting her head.