Hold on *Completed*

Chapter 30

"Well, that is the last bag." I gave it a quick shove into the back of the car. Jackson was driving me to the Coach station for the coach to Edinburgh and the sick feeling in my stomach was running wild all week leading up to this.

We had been enjoying our time together up till now and he was going to visit me in November just before the first semester exams.

"We better get moving or you're going to miss that bus." Nodding I closed the boot door and turned around to the multiple people standing around. They were my family, I loved them all so much now after all they had done for me over this past year. I will never be able to thank them enough.

I walked between them all, tears stinging my eyes threatening to fall. If I let even one tear out I know I won't be able to stop the rest of them. Hugging each person I said my final goodbye before reaching Xavier who was wiping his face with the sleeve of his jumper.

"You can't be crying dude! I won't be able to stop myself otherwise." Sniffling I threw myself into his arms, enjoying his big bear hug like always. I am going to miss having one of these hugs every day, he literally saved my life.

"You better come and visit me... you hear me? I won't take no for an answer." I could hear him laughing through some sniffs.

He pulled away from the hug to hold my head between his hands before placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.

I could feel the tear dropping from the corner of my eye, staring at the intensity in his eyes. His thumb grazed across my cheek to softly wipe the tear away.

"Whatever you are doing... just remember you can pick up that phone and call me, I will be there for you at the drop of a hat. You will always have me, do you understand?" More tears fell as I nodded holding onto his hands before he pulled me into another hug.

Swaying back and forth we eventually let each other go, I wiped the rest of the tears away before saluting to everyone and turning around to Jackson who placed a hand at my back to lead me to the passenger door. I hopped in giving a final wave to everyone and buckled in whilst Jackson got in to start the car not saying a word.

I watched in the wingmirror them getting further away as we drove down the driveway.

"I don't know what I am going to do not seeing them every day." Instantly Jackson's hand found mine to give me a tight squeeze, looking up I couldn't meet his eye as he continued to stare ahead at the road.

The ride was silent to the bus station, he didn't say a word and I fiddled with my phone checking up on the bus times to make sure everything was in order.

Finally, we arrived and I jumped out of the car, heading to the boot to open it. The bus was parked up waiting for people to load up their bags, the butterflies hit my stomach so hard I felt physically sick.

Stretching out my arm to grab one of the suitcases I glanced at my multiple scars laid across my skin, faint now but a reminder of those years of fear. I still don't remember being taken and by now, we don't think I ever will and I couldn't be happier about that.

"Jackson? Are you okay?" I glanced around the side of the car once I had set down the suitcase to the floor, noticing that he had not come round to the boot yet.

I moved around the front door of the car to see him still sat there staring out of the windscreen.

I gently opened up the door, bending down slightly to lay a hand on his arm.

"Jackson are you okay?" I watched as he shook his head swinging himself out of the car.

Backing up to let him pace I fiddled with my hands as I stood there just watching him, not knowing what to do.