The Boy In The Bow Tie (edited)

14. Goodbyes

I woke up, and looked at him. I remembered the first time we spent a night together. We had just met and I was worried we were rushing. But I knew then that we hadn't.

"Hey," he whispered, waking up.

"Hi," I replied. He tucked a piece of my hair gently behind my ear. His touch made me shiver. It was 10:00 am, and my flight left at 1 o'clock.

"I should get up," I said, reluctantly.

"No, stay," he said, pulling me back by the waist.

"Connor I have to go," I laughed, turning around and kissing him.

"I thought you were all packed," he said.

"I am, but I have to get to the airport by 11:30."

"Well, that gives us an hour and a half," he said, mischieviously. The offer was incredibly tempting and I did not want to leave his side. I had no idea when we'd see each other after I left.

"I can't. Trust me, I want to, but I can't."

"Let me drive you to the airport," he offered, sweetly. I agreed, happy to add to our remaining time together.

We got dressed and went inside to say goodbye to his family. I cried.

"Ahhh! Bye Charlie," Haley exclaimed hugging me tightly, "I love you! I hope we see you again." I told her that I hoped to see her again, too.

"Goodbye, Charlie. You were a good addition to our family," Veronica said. I thanked her for everything.

"Charlotte, I am so happy that you and Connor found each other," Thomas complimented. I was, too. I said a final goodbye and thank you, then Connor took me to my grandma's house.

"Thank you so much for everything, grandma." I said, sincerely, hugging her as Connor loaded my things into his car.

"I love you so much, Charlotte. Good luck with your last year of high school, and I can't thank you enough for all your help this summer," she said. She was leaving to go home to Vermont that afternoon, as well. Her flight left at five, so we didn't leave together. I hugged her one last time and cried.

"Oh don't cry over me, darling," she told me. I wiped a tear and got into Connor's car. She stood in the driveway and waved goodbye to us as we pulled out.

Connor had arranged for Laurel, Keaton, and Brooks to meet us before I went through security.

"I'm going to miss you so much! You have to call everyday." Laurel said, wiping away a tear, and hugging me.

"I will, don't worry. Thank you for being so nice to me," I laughed as I cried.

"I love you, don't forget to add me on twitter and instagram," Keaton told me, pulling me into a tight, almost suffocating hug.

"I won't. Don't worry. I love you, too." I replied. I released her and I walked over to Brooks.

"Thank you for being so understanding," I said, meaning it, "I'm really happy to have met you."

We hugged. "You too, and hey, if you ever think of embarrassing stories about Connor for me to blackmail him with, call me immediately." We laughed and Connor rolled his eyes. I said a final emotional goodbye to the three of them. We all group-hugged, and they walked away to give Connor and I some space.

"Charlie. I wouldn't have gotten through this summer without you," he said, taking my hands in his. I looked up at him, and allowed myself to get lost in his blue eyes one last time.

"I would have probably killed my family if it weren't for you," I laughed, and began to cry for the ten billionth time that day.

"You showed me a whole new side of life and I felt so alive every moment I was with you."

"I never had imagined I would meet a guy like you. I got so lucky" We looked at each other for a moment.

"What's going to happen with us when you step on the plane?" He asked. I had no idea how to answer.

"I don't know if I can handle long distance." I said, truthfully.

"Me either." He looked at me and my eyes welled up with tears. I placed my hands on his torso, and thought for a second.

"Okay. If we meet again, we'll know we're meant to be." I stated.

"Charl-" he began to say, but I cut him off.

"No, Connor, I can't be with you, if I can't actually be with you," as much as it pained and hurt me to say, it was true.

"When you wear the bow tie I gave you, think of me. Only wear it when you're thinking of me," I told him. He nodded.

"Promise?" I asked.

"Promise." He replied. I knew he would keep it.

"If we meet again," He began.

"We'll know we're meant to be," I said, finishing his sentence. We embraced each other and kissed. I would miss the feeling of his lips on mine. We pulled away, and I threw my carry-on over my shoulder.

"I love you, Charlie Olson."

"And I love you, Connor Fitzpatrick."

And with that, I got into line. I didn't dare to turn around, knowing that I would only go running back into his arms. I closed my eyes and remembered how he had looked when we first met, and at the bonfire, and on our first date. That summer had been one I remembered for the rest of my life. The summer where I found true love. The summer when I met people I would never forget, made friends for life, and became someone I would never have imagined I could be. The summer of the boy in the bow tie.

The End