Need you | Miles Fairchild

9. goodbyes..

Kate and I have finished our final tasks at the Manor, and it's time to pack up and leave. I don't want to go—not one bit. Leaving Miles feels like leaving a piece of myself behind. But at the same time, I miss Rose, and I know she's waiting at home. I just... I don't want to leave anyone.

I've tried telling Kate how I feel, how much I don't want to leave, but she doesn't really care. And honestly... I can't blame her. The way I've treated her has been harsh, rude, and unkind. I hate it. I hate how I lash out at her, and I hate the way she treats me in return. But there's something about our relationship that just... can't be fixed in a day.

I wake up, lying in my bed, dreading the day ahead. The thought of leaving Miles makes my chest tighten. I roll over, trying to shake the pit of sadness in my stomach.

I decide to get up and find him.

"Hey," he says, looking up from the couch.

"Oh... hi," I sigh, forcing a smile I don't really feel.

"You okay?" he asks softly.

I pause, staring at my hands. "Oh, me? Yeah... I'm fine," I reply, trying to convince myself as much as him.

He steps closer, wrapping me in a warm hug. "What's the matter?"

"I'm... gonna miss you," I whisper into his sweater, my voice shaking.

"Me too," he says, hugging me tighter.

"MORNING!!!" Flora's tiny voice shouts, and before I can respond, she comes barreling into the room.

"Hey, you," I say, tapping her nose and smiling despite the lump in my throat.

"What do you wanna do today?" she asks brightly.

I groan, holding my head in my hands. "I've gotta pack," I admit.

"Oh... yeah, okay," she says, disappointment crossing her features.

I squeeze her hand. "It's okay. I'll come visit over the holidays."

"Good! Because I'm going to miss you so much," she says, throwing her little arms around me in a tight hug.

"Me too," I reply, hugging her back.

"Me too," I whisper again, holding her just a little longer.

"I'm gonna play! Bye!" she shouts, bounding out of the room.

"Bye," I sigh.

Miles places a hand on my shoulder. "Hey... you okay?"

I nod quickly, giving him a small smile. "Me? Yeah, I'm fine."

"Good," he says, smiling back.

"I'm gonna go get packing," I say, pushing myself off the couch and heading toward my room.

In my room, I grab my suitcase off the floor and start folding my clothes. I try not to think about leaving. I try not to let the weight of leaving Miles crush me. But it's impossible. My fingers tremble slightly as I zip up my suitcase, my heart heavy.

Once I finish, I wheel my trunk downstairs to the front door.

"Y/n!!" Kate shouts from the staircase.

"Ugh, what!?" I snap, not in the mood for her tone.

"Have you got everything?" she asks, walking toward me.

"Um... yeah," I sigh, dragging my suitcase to the car.

Kate pauses, a small smile on her face. "Hey... it's okay. You'll see him again at school."

"Wait... school?" I ask, confused.

"Miles is going to attend your school now," she says casually, as if it's the easiest thing in the world.

"Really?" I ask, my heart leaping.

"Yes," Kate confirms. "Ms Grose and I organised everything."

A wave of relief and happiness floods me. Miles had been expelled from his previous boarding school, so this works perfectly. I'll get to see him every day. My smile widens uncontrollably.

"Thank you," I say, hugging Kate.

"You're welcome," she says, hugging me tightly back.

Miles looks between us, a small frown of curiosity on his face. "What's going on?"

"Well, Miles," Kate begins, "Ms Grose and I have arranged for you to attend Y/n's school. So now you'll be seeing each other again."

"Wow... that's amazing! Thanks, Kate," Miles says, walking over to me.

"You ready to go?" Kate asks, giving me a quick glance.

"Yeah... I'm ready," I say, trying to steady my racing heart.

Miles picks up my suitcase, opens the car door, and we start walking outside. I stop briefly to say goodbye to Ms Grose, who gives me a warm hug, and then to Flora.

"I'm going to miss you," she says, clutching me tightly.

"Me too, Flora," I reply, hugging her back. "But I'll come visit during the holidays. You'll see me in a few weeks."

"Promise?" she asks, looking up at me with wide eyes.

"I promise," I say, squeezing her hand before releasing her.

Then I turn to Miles.

"Hey," he says softly.

"Hey," I reply, smiling despite the lump in my throat.

"I'm going to miss seeing your pretty face around here," he says, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

"I'm going to miss seeing you too," I whisper.

I feel tears prick my eyes, but I try to hold them back.

"Hey, don't cry," he says, pulling me into a warm hug. "We'll see each other in two weeks."

"That's too far away!" I laugh, sniffing.

"I think we can manage," he chuckles, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face.

I look up at him, holding his gaze, not wanting to let go. Our lips meet in one last, lingering kiss before I reluctantly pull away.

"Bye," he whispers.

"Bye," I reply, my voice barely audible.

Kate and I climb into the car, the engine starting, but I can't stop glancing back at the Manor. At the friends I've made. At the boy I love.

This next two weeks is going to feel endless.

Little did I know... this was only the beginning of what was about to happen.