Above

13

Estelle
December 24th, Christmas Eve.
Also known as the day of misson: save Annaliesee.
Two people are going, me and Luca.
September wanted to go, but everyone voted and we were the best suited for the job.
Now, we're getting ready for the trip, loading the helecopter full of supplies, and also saying potentially tearful goodbyes.
I place Luca's bow against the wall of the helecopter, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
Luca sets a duffel bag in the small cargo bay.
"What are those?" I ask.
He shrugs. "My mom wanted me to put it in here."
I step on board and open it.
There's about twenty soup cans, along with fourteen water bottles.
"I mean, she wants us to eat well." He shrugs.
I look up at him. "True."
"Are you scared?" He asks.
I shrug. "Not really."
"Neither am I, oddly enough, I'm calm." He agrees.
I stand up. "Honestly, same."
"Mom's terrified." He says. "Don't know why." 
"Oh, did you get in contact with Fizz?" I ask.
"Yeah, she'll shut down the cameras." Luca answers.
Felicity had stayed at the labs, for inside information.
"Alright." I put a few knives in the cargo bay. "Go say goodbye to whoever you need to, we'll meet back up here at four."
"Okie dokie." He says.
Then, off we go.
***
Nigel, Jane, Jackson, and Logan were the first on my list.
I knock on their door.
After a minute or two, Logan opens the door.
"Estelle!" She yells behind her.
I smile softly. "I'm here to say goodbye, may I come in?"
"Of course, come on in." She steps aside.
I enter the house and walk into the kitchen, where they were all talking.
"Coffee dear?" Jane asks, not looking up from her camping stove.
"Yes please." I answer, sitting next to Nigel at the table.
He gives me a weak smile, and by the bags under his eyes, you can tell he hadn't been sleeping.
"Here you go." Jane sets a cup of black coffee in front of me.
"Thanks." I smile.
She looks disgustedly at my messy bun, reaching up and undoing it.
"Jane!" Jackson snaps. "You don't have to fix her hair."
"Well, it was a mess, so really it's my pleasure." She laughs, twisting two french braids skillfully.
"Estelle, my dear." Nigel says.
"Hmm?" I hum, sipping my bitter coffee.
"You have to be careful." He says.
I nod. "I know."
"No emergency rescue missions for someone you recognize." He says. "You're prone to do that."
I nod again. "I know, I won't."
"Remember this is a rescue mission, no interfering with some rogue officers, that's what got her captured."
I nod.
"When do you two depart?" He asks.
"Four, I'm supposed so say goodbye to everyone that'll care if I'm gone." I say.
"I'm glad we we're on the list!" Logan yells from the other room.
"Logan, sweetheart, come say goodbye to your sister!" Jane yells.
I smile softly at the word sister.
Logan walks into the room holding a tiny velvet box.
"This is for you, from me." She says, setting the box in front of me.
I open it, seeing the shiny gold necklace in the shape of the earth.
"It's a locket." She says.
I pop it open.
Inside was a picture of me and her the first day I came up.
"To remember the good times, because we've both changed oh-so much."
I smile at her. "It's perfect."
She grins back. "I know."
***
September was on the couch, his nose buried in a book.
I clear my throat.
He looks up. "Oh, hi."
"Hey." I sit down next to him.
"So this is actually happening?" He says, setting the book face-down on the coffee table.
I nod. "I'm sorry you can't come."
"It's not a problem." He says.
"Yeah."
"Just be careful, alright?" He says. I nod. "I've already been lectured by Nigel."
"Good." He says.
I look over at him, surprised at how adult he looks.
"Luca came around, said goodbye and left, so I guess you're on a tight schedule." September mentions, wringing his hands.
"I'm not." I correct. "Luca probably is going to visit everyone in this town, but I'm choosing a select few."
"I made the list?" He asks, surprised.
"Yeah, of course." I say, as if it were obvious. "Did you really think I would leave without saying goodbye to September Kahler?"
"I did, actually." He looks down. "I dunno why."
"Well, I'm here now." I say, patting his shoulder.
He looks over at me and smiles, for the first time in a long time. "You are, and that's what matters."
***
After Ned and Melissa, which was honestly an average goodbye, I head to Leeciy and Cirus's.
I knock at the door before looking down at my intertwined hands.
The door opens, with a faint squeak.
"Oh, you." The voice of Gabrie says.
"Hi Gabs, can I speak to Leeciy and Cirus?" I ask.
"It's Gabrie, and no." She answers.
"Why not?" I ask.
"They're busy, and they don't want to see you." She answers.
"I just want to say goodbye." I say, stepping forward.
She shoves me. "Just go, they don't want to see you, and honestly, they don't care less if you die."
"That's ridiculous."
"Oh please, Leeciy fills my ears with reasons he hates you." She scoffs, crossing her arms.
"Oh." I look back down, biting my lip to keep from crying.
She sighs. "Don't worry, Leeciy's very picky, you're not the first he hasn't cared about."
I turn around. "Tell them I said goodbye if you want to, I couldn't care less."
***
After Fran, I get halfway back to the helicopter before I hear a voice shouting behind me.
I turn, seeing Leeciy come after me.
"What are you doing?" He asks, once he gets into earshot.
"I'm getting onto the 'copter?" I answer confused.
"You didn't say goodbye." He breathes. "Am I that forgettable?" "No, but I guess I'm hated." I cross my arms.
"What are you talking about?" He asks.
"Gabrie told me the whole thing, you don't have to explain." I say, turning again.
He grabs my shoulder,spinning me around. "What's going on?"
"Ask your fiancé." I answer firmly.
"Gabrie's not my fiancé, she's some random girl who's obsessed with me." He explains.
"Bullshit, she wouldn't be in your house if you didn't like her." I say harshly. "If you don't like me just tell me to my face and we can end this friendship while we're ahead."
"No!" He says. "I do like you, I want us to still be friends. Whatever she said was a lie, I'm your friend."
I look into his eyes, which loik sincere. "You are?"
"Yes! Estelle, You're my friend." He answers.
"Okay, I believe you." I say.
He smiles. "Okay, can we have a proper goodbye?"
I nod.
"Okay, be careful, get the girl and get back here." He says.
I nod. "I will, I'll see you around."
He leans down and plants a kiss on my head. "For good luck."
"Thanks." I smile, looking down at my watch. 3:58. "I have to go."
He smiles softly. "Alright, goodbye."