Strength and Weakness (Completed)

Chapter 24 - back to school...

Connor and I are leaving today. We already had our stuff packed. (I decided to just not unpack from the tour, so I helped Connor pack the other day.)

I called Brayden. He was coming here to say bye before we left to go to the train station. I was really going to miss him - we saw each other every day on tour and even when we came back. Now, we'll only see each other in person on weekends. Otherwise, we can FaceTime. It's just not the same. I still can't believe that Brayden and I are official. If someone told me that the two of us would date sometime in the future, I would've laughed and never believed it. But now it's a reality, and I couldn't be happier about it.

"I'm gonna miss you," he mumbled into my hair as we hugged.

"Likewise," I whispered just as quiet.

At that moment, it was only the two of us. We ignored everyone else there, which was basically just Connor and Tulisa - but that's beside the point.

"Okay, love birds," Connor interrupted. "I don't want to miss the train. Let's go, Sim."

"You're just jealous that you have no significant other to say goodbye to - someone that will miss you while you're gone," I told him, still embracing my boyfriend. Ha, it feels great to be able to say that. Who would've thought?

"Wow, Brayden, I don't know what effect you have on her, but I like you being around."

"Why?" He asked aloud to no one in particular. I knew the answer, but I let Connor explain.

"She's always teasing me, thinking that I like-"

"-love," I intruded.

Connor rolled his eyes and continued, "that I like her, but I don't. This is probably the first time she didn't say that I was jealous because it's you and not me in her arms."

"Don't get used to it, CR."

"I know," he sounded so glum. I couldn't help but laugh. "Okay, enough of that. We have to go, Sim."

"Okay, I'll be in the car in a minute."

"Don't find some cute, Uni guy that could replace me. Even worse, don't let Connor get too close."

I let out a low chuckle, "No one could replace you. I like you too much for that to happen."

"Well, good."

We didn't say anything else at that moment. We just looked into each other's eyes, and I felt so content right then and there. I felt like I could've stayed there all day.

"I'll miss you, Sammy," Brayden said quietly.

"I'll miss you, too, but I'll visit whenever possible."

"You better," he said right before leaning in to kiss me. I loved this feeling - his lips against mine. It wasn't anything sexual or full of lust. It was calm and passionate. If we didn't have to breathe, we would've kept kissing. But we pulled apart so we wouldn't become faint. He pulled me in even closer than I thought he could, and we held each other in such a tight embrace. I could've stayed there all day.

Brayden pulled away all too soon, but it was probably for the better.

"Don't forget to call and text me."

"Don't worry, I won't."

"Bye, Sammy," he said as I started to walk to the car.

"Bye, Brayden."

And just like that, Connor and I were off to the train station.

"You really like that guy, don't you?"

"I do," I didn't even realize the smile that appeared on my face.

"And to think you would complain to me about how annoying he is."

"I know."

We sat in silence for the rest of the ride.

We got to the train station and said bye to Tulisa. She drove us so we wouldn't leave a car there.

"You're doing great things, Maylee - just like your parents. They'd be so proud," she mumbled to me as we hugged.

"I know."

We pulled away and she hugged Connor.

The two of us grabbed our belongings and headed for the platform to wait for the train to come.

Connor and I made it to the University, and we searched for the main office. We, eventually, found it.

"Ah, you must be Samantha and Connor."

"Yep."

"We don't normally have a boy and girl sharing a room, but we figured you wouldn't mind. Your boss told us you're really good friends."

"Yeah."

"Okay, good. Your dorm room is in the West Wing of the North Building - dorm number 904."

The secretary gave us each a key and suggested that we don't lose it.

Gee, thanks.

We thanked her and went to find our building and room. We'll probably get lost a lot; this is a big campus.

"Hey, are you guys new here?" Some random, blonde girl asked as we passed by.

"Uh, yeah. Could you tell us where the North Building is?"

"It's that way," she pointed to the direction we were going. "And to the right."

"Thank you so much."

"No problem. I'm Charlotte by the way."

"I'm Samantha, and this is Connor."

"Hey, Char!" Some guy, who is probably her boyfriend, called.

"Coming!" She yelled back. "Nice to meet you."

"You, too."

"OK, you're not here to make friends. Let's go."

"Oh, chill, Connor. She seemed genuine. And even if she isn't, we need to keep our friends close, but our enemies closer. The point of coming here was to make friends."

"Whatever. Let's just find our room."

900.

902.

904!

Here we go.

"Connor, you OK?" He seemed a little . . . Off. I can't quite put my finger on it.

"Fine, I'm just not used to this environment."

"Well, neither am I. I've never been to Uni."

"I don't mean Uni, Sim. I mean school in general. I was always homeschooled."

"And I will forever be jealous of you for that."

"The only friends I have besides you are adults."

"Me, too. Well, besides the boys. But I know how you feel."

"I know, but you've been surrounded by people your own age. I don't know how these people act."

"I've never seen you this nervous, Con. It's . . . weird."

"Sorry, I'm just really not used to this."

"I get it, but don't stress. We're together, and we'll be fine."

"Thanks, Sim."

"Anytime, Connor. You know I'm always here for you."

"Ditto."

I smiled, "Now, let's see what we'll be living in for the next few months."