Chapter 16
Felix wasn't sure exactly how this life was going to turn out, but he was hopeful.
Claire had told Felix about her want to go to Arizona. At first, he was completely against the idea. He'd seen her nearly leave this world; he didn't think he could handle her leaving him for real. A couple late nights with Alice had turned him around.
For a while, Felix struggled with the idea of finally giving up the shop. It was the only home he'd ever known and the last thing he could hold onto of his family, but he finally gave in to himself. With the insurance money he collected from the damage, he could give Claire what she's always wanted—stability. And, with the potential buyer still interested, he could take the money offered from that to give himself what he'd always wanted—a life worth living.
Alice first brought up the idea a few days after everything had calmed. Claire and Felix were staying in her apartment before Felix made his decision. Getting into a YouTube rabbit hole one night, Alice had brought up the idea to him of traveling across the country in an RV. Claire could stay in Arizona with their Aunt Madalyn while Claire and Felix could find the adventure they'd been waiting for. Now that he had his degree, he wouldn't need to worry about his classes anymore. Alice also pushed the idea that their adventure would be a good backdrop for his next book.
When Felix submitted his final story to Dr. Smith, she loved it. It was real; it was him. As she'd promised, she put him in touch with the people he needed. By the time the three of them had gone down to Arizona, the book was being launched. Success was here and there, but it was enough for him to build a support system—both with the readers and the publishers. They wanted more. So did he.
With the money he had, he bought a nice little RV with Alice. It wasn't perfect, but neither were they. They loved it anyway. Alice spent the summer fixing it up and putting her own touch on it. She couldn't fit all of her apartment's trinkets, but she kept the best ones. Felix didn't take much from Mugz. A couple photos. His books. A limited supply of keep-sakes, and he was set.
When he started typing out his new story that summer, he didn't need to worry about hating the beginning. It was difficult, but he knew the end would be worth it.
YOU ARE READING
you're beautiful here
Teen Fictionsomething i'd love to publish one day. after some hefty editing tho aha. intercept: Felix found himself very invested in Alice's daily visits. He was spending extra time getting ready in the morning. He had only a few inches of light brown wavy hai...
