the reason | 13rw

e i g h t y - s e v e n

"and there's the last picture." i laughed, stepping back. 

"how did you get all of these printed?" monty asked. 

"i went to a photo place, gave them a thumb drive and picked it up last night." i shrugged. 

"these are amazing." he looked around at all of the pictures of us. "and you dad really came in clutch with this apartment." 

"i'm not staying in a damn dorm room." i shook my head. "roommates are not my thing." 

"well we should probably head back to crestmont, for your goodbye's and such." 

"wait," i pulled him back. 

"what?" 

"i love you." i said. "and thank you so much for helping me all week." 

"i'd do anything for you, i love you too." he kissed me. 

....

monty pulled his jeep into the ditch of my house, well now it was only my father living there. we got out and he walked around, slipping his hand into mine. i smiled as we walked inside. 

"we're back," i announced and pulled monty to the kitchen. 

"hey kiddo," my dad smiled. "how's the apartment?"

"it's looking good," i nodded. "i was just going to grab some more things and then head off again...for good this time." 

"are you sure you have to go tonight?" my dad asked. 

"i've been trying to convince her all day to just wait until tomorrow." 

"no matter when i leave, it's going to be just as hard." i said. 

"well, i kind of told jessica she could throw a party here..." my dad trailed. 

"what?" 

"so now you have to stay." monty said. "you don't want to look ungrateful." 

"you guys..." i shook my head. "you ruin all of my plans." 

my dad smiled and kissed my forehead. 

"i have to work but i will be back in time to see you off." 

i nodded as he moved past us. i turned to monty and wrapped my arms around his torso. 

"are you upset about the party?" 

"no, i just want to hug you until i can't anymore." i replied. 

"no being sad." he laughed and pulled away. 

"i'm not being sad." i chuckled. "i'm just going to miss you." 

he grabbed my face and kissed me. 

"you're still here so we are going to party hard tonight." he said. "deal?" 

"deal, well i can't drink too much." i said. 

he shook his head with a smile. 

....

about an hour later and the party had officially started. there were people everywhere, i saw my friends in the backyard, laughing. i smiled and walked out. 

"hey," i said and walked over. 

"hey girly," leah threw her arm around me. "where have you been?" 

"cleaning my room." i said. "i didn't want to leave a mess for my dad." 

"you are being so glum right now." jeff said. "hype up, you're going to fucking stanford tomorrow."