Writing's Second Taste

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Thank You

Have I talked to Adam yet? No. Have I avoided him like the plague? Oh you bet.

As I was going down the steps of the faculty building, I nearly jumped up when my phone started vibrating in my pocket. With my brows furrowed, I stared in confusion at the unknown number.

I've been so jittery since that museum trip. Then again, I've been back to consuming copious amount of caffeine just to keep me going because I've been losing so much sleep. I was always going to feel guilty, wasn't I? That talk with Heart barely helped at all.

Damned if I do, damned if I don't.

Looking back down on my phone screen, I just thought screw it and answered it. If they were kidnappers then go ahead, at least they would knock me out, "Hello?"

"Go to the university entrance," a familiar voice said and my eyes widened at the realization.

A voice that I've purposely missed every single call of. A voice that would instantly know that something was wrong the second I open my mouth. A voice that belonged to my best friend.

With every ounce of energy I had left, I broke into a sprint, my phone still pressed against my ear.

I needed this.

I looked absolutely ridiculous but I didn't care. My last ounce of happiness was waiting for me so I just ran for it.

As the gates got nearer, my legs went faster. When I got a better view, I slowed down at what I saw. My heart, that has been so tired and weak lately, suddenly brightened up.

"Gracie!" I screamed, lunging for my best friend, causing her to release the phone she was holding and enthusiastically hugged me back. When she did so, her laughter chiming in my ears, the tears welled up in my eyes, "I missed you guys so much."

It wasn't all her, but our whole group of friends was there. Once I was in someone's arms, they all gathered up for a huge group hug.

For being such a self-proclaimed cry baby, I haven't shed a single tear since that museum date. And yet when I saw all of my friends from back home, here in this foreign land right in front of me, the emotions I was holding back suddenly came out.

Gracie shushed me immediately and started rubbing soothing circles down my back, "You missed us that much?"

Girl, you have no idea. While I did miss you all, the lack of comfort that you guys usually provided didn't give me a crutch that I desperately needed. And I couldn't even tell you that everything was going south because the last thing I wanted was to worry you.

So I kept it a secret to all of my friends in America.

Well, except for one person.

I felt Justin's hand on top of my head and I had to look up, which was quite a difficult process because of my current position. He offered me a small smile, one I couldn't even return because just when I tried to move my mouth, a sob escaped my lips.

"Come on now," Gracie tried to stop my cries, gently wiping away my tears.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Spring break," she reminded with a laugh, "We decided back in January to visit our wonderful best friend who we were all sure has been missing home more than ever."

Oh gosh, she had no idea.

When you've been friends with somebody before you could even crawl, there was always this urge to tell them anything and everything. That was Gracie to me, but one aspect of my life that I always held back from speaking of was my love life.