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Chapter 7 - Memories - Part 2

A/N: Comment as you read. I'm doing a write-a-thon, so hopefully, in the next 24 hours, you'll see a lot of updates. I'm aiming for ten, just like last time, but who knows? Cheer me on, at least. 

CAMI:

I stumbled out of Chemistry, biting my nails over the test. In the last couple of days, I hadn’t exactly had the time to study. I figured it was a solid fifty percent chance of either passing or failing. Shrugging, I realized I could live with that.

Of course, I hoped for the best. That meant less schoolwork to catch up on, and more time to photographing.

Harry hadn’t seemed so thrilled to hear about my opportunity to work with Shane. It was somewhat adorable to see him jealous. Even if I was so doubtful about everything else, he showed his feelings in so many ways.

For example, in the way that he didn’t try to control the outcome. That he trusted me, even if he wasn’t super excited about my employer. I’d seen many relationships go wrong once the jealousy interfered with the feelings.

But Harry wasn’t like that, and as I hugged my books close to my chest, I smiled at the thought.

And almost walked straight into Annie.

“Whoa there,” she said. “Earth to Cami. Mayday, Mayday.”

Rolling my eyes, I smiled. “Sorry about that. I was thinking about something.”

“I could see that.” She laughed. “You were far away. Are you ready?”

“Ready for what?” I blurted.

When her face fell, I remembered:  we were supposed to skip the rest of classes in order to say a proper goodbye.

Laughing, I tried to save myself. “Just kidding. Of course, I’m ready. Just need to drop off these books at the room.”

Annie didn’t look convinced, but I’m reasonably sure she forgave me. Turning on her heels, she hooked her arm in mine, and basically dragged me away from the hallway.

Skipping school always made me a bit nauseous. However, this was a special occasion. I couldn’t just let her leave like that. For three months, she’d been my rock in everything. Her cheering had made me get out of bed on the days where it seemed impossible to even move.

To say I would miss her would be an understatement. Unfortunately, there was no other words to explain it.

Once inside the room, I threw the books on my bed and grabbed my purse and a small jacket. Annie was already ahead of me, waiting impatiently at the door.

I didn’t have many things in common with Annie. Where she knew all the fashion brands, I was clueless. Where she hated orange marmalade, I loved the taste. Where she likes pink, I really dislike it.

And where she was happy and bubbly when I met her, I was a big black pit of despair and lost dreams.

Also, I tended to exaggerate way more than she did.

At first, it had been hard to live with someone as hopelessly romantic as Annie, but over time, she’d slowly weaved herself into my heart. As we walked out to the parking lot together, it was hard to imagine that soon she’d be gone.

“I’m telling you, Danny went all out,” she said. “The box was filled with gifts, and I don’t even know what half of them are. He tried to explain how it was all things that reminded him of me, but I just don’t get it. How does a black rock reminds him of me?”

I shrugged. “Danny is a sweet guy, and he really cares for you. So who knows? Could be a rock from somewhere you were together, or the color of your pupils.”

“I hope he’s going to find someone after I leave.”

I’d seen Kylie send him a few lingering looks, but I also knew how much Annie disliked her. I smiled. “I’m sure someone is waiting just around the corner.”

“So… The usual?” she asked.

I probably should have planned a surprise party, but after talking it over with Annie, she’d said it would be cooler if it were just us. So instead, I’d decided to take her a trip down memory lane.

“You’ll see,” I said.

I steered her in the opposite direction of where we were going, opting to take a longer way around so she wouldn’t guess it right away.

“When is Divi coming anyway?” I asked.

“She and Aryan are already on the plane. I’ll meet them later today in the airport.”

“So, I guess tomorrow you won’t be there, huh?” I couldn’t help but to feel a bit sad about the thought.

Annie nudged me lightly. “Don’t worry.  It’s not like you haven’t slept without me in the room before. You did it last night.”

Feeling a bit shy at the memory of snuggling close with Harry, I averted my eyes. “That’s different, though.”

“Oh… OH.” Annie widened her eyes.

“Not like that.” My cheeks reddened further.

“Aha.” She held up her hands. “I’m not judging.”

I rolled my eyes, which only made her laugh. Then I turned around the corner, waiting for Annie to recognize the street.

This was the café she had dragged me to in my first week here. After several days of moping around, only leaving the room for classes, Annie had decided to do something about it. Sure, at first I’d thought it was a bit bossy, but it had helped. And it had been the start of our friendship.

“You remembered?”

Frowning, I chuckled. “It was three months ago, I’m not that old.”

“You sure?” Annie teased. “Could have fooled me.”

I held the door for her, letting her walk in first. I’d called yesterday, to see if the café could somehow reserve the corner booth for us. They’d apologized, but when we walked over, I could see a handwritten note on the table. I took it and turned to the waiter behind the counter.

He smiled at me, and I held up the card, mouthing ‘thank you’.

Annie was already sitting down in her spot. “This is incredible, Cami. Very thoughtful.”

I shrugged. “Figured it would be fitting to end it where it all started. Full circle, you know.”

“It’s not like we’re never going to see each other again. You sound like I’m returning to India already.”

Taking the seat beside her, I smiled. “I know you’re not. But I also just want to face the facts. With no shared classes and me interning with Shane, it’ll be hard to get time to see each other. Plus, you need to be with your friends too.”

“And then there’s Harry too,” she said.

I smiled. “And then there’s Harry too, yes.” I sighed, taking her hand in mine. “It’s not because this is a definitive farewell. But after this, our lives will change, and I’m not sure where it’ll lead us. It could be anywhere, really.”

The waiter came over with our usual orders, and we both raised the hot cup of tea. The steam felt lovely on my face, and I gave Annie a small smile.

“To the future, then,” she said, holding the cup over to mine.

“To the future,” I repeated.

 A/N: First update down. Nine to go. Give this a vote and cheer me on, yeah? Comments, Tweets, KiK cheering and Instagram cheers, plus edits if anyone feel creative is all going to help me. :)