The Game ✔

Chapter forty one

''Toothbrush, underwear, pillow-''

''Mom please, we went through it all already and my bedroom is already empty enough,'' I whine and my mother sighs.

''I'm just worried you might forget something.'' She tells me. ''You know how mothers are.''

''If I forget something, I'll just have to come back,'' I reassure her. ''Anyway, I have to come back here before leaving for Australia.''

''You're right.'' She beams, ''I can't believe my baby girl is leaving alone.''

''I can't believe it as well,'' Lizzy mutters from the door frame.

''C'mon Liz, you're joining me in one week.'' I roll my eyes but she comes hugging me.

''Yeah but after I'm going to lose you for a whole year.''

''I'll be back before the third semester starts, don't worry,'' I say, holding back tears.

''You know I won't be there anymore though.'' She pulls away and I see tears have slipped out.

''Boston isn't so far away, we'll be able to see each other once in a while.'' 

''It won't be the same then eating lunch every day with you.'' She whines.

I give in, ''I know.'' I wipe away the tears that succeeded to slip away. ''Okay, I need to get going if I want to arrive before diner at Aunt Bailey's.''

''I'll miss you,'' Lizzie says with one last hug.

''I'll miss you too.''

''Don't forget to give me the news.'' My mother warns me.

''Of course mom.'' I hesitate, ''Are you sure it's alright that I leave with the car.''

''Sweetheart, I've already told you that I wanted a new one for a long time. This is you giving me a push to do something for myself.''

''I love you mom, keep me updated on dad.''

''I love you too my little girl.'' She whispers in my hair. Before I could forget, I get the letter out of my pocket. 

''I've been wondering for a moment if it was worth showing it to the authorities, get the justice we deserve - she deserves. Until I realized I didn't have the strength, but you've always known what to do.'' She takes the letter with question marks in her eyes, ''It doesn't mean you need to do anything, I just wanted to give you the choice.''

I walk down the stairs and Lizzy helps me pack everything in the car. When I'm finally ready, I look hesitantly at Ayden's house.

''Go talk to him before leaving.'' Lizzy tells me, ''He has a right to know.''

I nod and look one last time at her, ''How could I ever live without you.''

''That's what I've been wondering.''

I take a deep breath and walk up to the door. I knock twice and take a step back, waiting.

Karen opens the door and two seconds later I'm engulfed in her arms. ''Oh sweetheart! How have you been?''

''I've missed you too Karen.'' I chuckle.

''I guess you came to see Ayden?'' She asks.

''Yeah, before leaving,'' I tell her.

''You're what?'' I hear his voice behind her and then there he is, my best friend walking up to the door, sleep still in his eyes and, of course, without a shirt.

''I'll leave you two.'' She says, ''It was nice seeing you again.''

I smile sadly as she walks away and Ayden comes out into the warm sun, a hand over his eyes, ''What are you talking about Lexa?''