Camp Echo Falls (Completed)

Chapter 86

Today was the first time I've smiled in two weeks.

Naomi and Alison sit on the bottom of my bed as I smile softly up at them. My legs crossed underneath me as my fingers lightly open the small presents placed in front of me.

It's august 15th today.

I haven't seen Leo this morning, he must have snuck out of the cabin earlier without waking me. I woke up without his arms around me and didn't like the empty feeling that washed over me.

The wrapping falls to the bed when I hold up the gift Alison gave to me, a thick leather journal, bound with a golden spine.

The matching golden scripted words across the top read, "for the thoughts you can't speak."

She must have bought it before everything happened, but it is perfect.

"It's gorgeous," my voice is in awe as I look up at a smiling Alison, "thank you so much Ali."

The next gift is from Naomi, her present instead a small square box. My fingers tear at the wrapping paper until I see a dark black ring box.

I lift the top and feel tears in my eyes as I see the three rings sitting on a soft padding.

All three rings are golden weaves laced with small flowers. There is a small part of the rings that is just blocked gold, enough just for a tiny inscription.

I take one out of the box carefully and hold it up into the light, trying to read the words that are carved into the metal.

Sororibus meis

I look up at Naomi who's got her lips pressed together nervously, her fingers twiddling together. I've never seen Naomi so un-Naomi like.

"It's Latin." She laughs softly as she looks between me and Alison. Her voice drops to a whisper for the next part, "It means my sisters."

I can feel the tear drops hit the bed as I stare down at the tiny words that mean so much to me.

These girls have been by my side through thick and thin. They have witnessed every single moment of my life, the ugly ones and the precious ones.

We've bickered and fought and laughed and snuck out at night and stollen food and cried and talked about everything there is to talk about.

They have grown up with me.

They're my family.

I lunge towards them and capture both girls in a hug. My hand holding the rings tight, while my arms bring us closer and they both start laughing while casually sobbing.

They both lace their arms around my back and all three of us hold onto each other with everything that we have.

"I love you." My voice is weak as the tears fall freely down my face.

"We love you too." Naomi whispers back and I feel Alison nod against my arm as she sniffles.

After a few more tears and choked out sobs we all sit back. We each giddily smile as we slip on the rings and start holding them up to the light. The gold sparkling as we twirl our hands around.

We're only interrupted by a small knock at the door before it opens slowly.

My heart starts racing as I see his emerald green eyes flicking up to meet mine. His hands are behind his back, hiding something but I can exactly see what it is.

Leo stands at the door and Naomi wipes away her tears before going to speak to him. He leans down the whisper something in her ear and she nods looking back at me.