It's Always Been You

Back to The Grounds

I felt like I had tossed and turned all night with our last kiss replaying in my head on a loop. I felt squeamish and giddy, my whole body filled with flutters every time I thought of our kiss.

The next morning I felt like an exhausted mess from the lack of sleep I had gotten. Wes and I were acting as if it never happened, neither one of us saying a thing about it.

Wes looked like he had no intention of bringing up which made me keep quiet myself, not wanting to bring something up that Wes wasn't even thinking about.

I had said that it was our last night being a couple so it made sense to seal it all with one last kiss for everyone to see.

It just didn't feel like it was for show. It felt like it was more, something so much more. Filled with so much passion and affection that it literally felt like it had taken all my oxygen away.

Goodbyes with my mother were very quick, like expected. My father on the other hand seemed much more relaxed than usual. He actually seemed a little sad to be saying goodbye to both Wes and I.

"It was great meeting you, son." My father shook Wes's hand firmly. "You are welcome to come by anytime you want with Fia."

Wes smiled politely. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate you allowing me to stay at your home. I had an amazing time."

My father placed a hand on Wes's shoulder, giving him a pointed look while still grinning. "Take care of my girl."

Wes smiled warmly, glancing at me for a quick moment. "I always will, sir."

Sage pouted out her bottom lip as she wrapped her arms around me. "I am very sad to see you go, cousin. We hardly spent any quality girl time together."

I laughed as I hugged her. "I'll see you soon, Sage."

Wes shared some goodbyes with my cousins before him and Stefan started bringing our bags out to the car.

I turned to look at my father, smiling softly. "Bye, dad."

My dad surprised me when he wrapped his arms around me to hug me, placing a soft kiss on the top of my head. "I'm proud of you, Fia. Remember that."

I looked at him, surprise flashing across my face. "You are?"

My father chuckled softly. "Of course I am. You're doing what you're passionate about and it may not be at my company but you're where you're supposed to be and I'm glad you're making the choices you want."

I leaned into my dad to hug him again, exhaling deeply. It felt like a big weight had been lifted off me. "I'll miss you."

"Now," he pulled away from me, holding onto my arms to look at me pointedly. "You take care of yourself. Weston's a good one, from what I can see. You two are good together."

My face flushed as heat creeped up my neck. I scrunched my nose, nodding. "Love you, pops."

He smiled, patting my back as I headed out to meet Wes by the car.

"All packed up," he tapped the trunk of the car before walking over to the passenger side door and opening it for me. "Ready to hit the road?"

I nodded slowly, exhaling deeply. "Let's go."

The car ride wasn't awkward, per se. We hadn't spoken a word about the kiss or anything to do with the fake relationship and we were nearing campus shortly.

Part of me felt anxious about where this would lead us. I didn't want things to be awkward with Wes but it sure as hell felt like there was a cloud lingering over both of our heads, neither one of us making a move to speak of the kiss or anything else that was said or done while we 'dated'.