And they were roommates

Chapter Twenty One

~a month and a half later~

It was happening tomorrow. Tomorrow she was leaving. My brain couldn't comprehend that fact.
The past two months we spent packing up all her stuff and spending as much time together as possible.
For the past two months I didn't want to believe she was actually leaving. For two months I hoped that somehow she would be able to stay. For two months I dreaded this day, the last day, I'd ever get to spend with her.

We sat on the beach. We spent the day doing as many things as possible, we went to six flags, Phil's Coffee, the pink wall, all things that were custom to LA. I tried my best to not fall apart and ruin the mood but it was hard. Everytime I looked at her I felt an empty feeling inside.
She leaned against me and tucked her legs into her arms. She stared off at the water and enjoyed the view. The sun had just started to set so the skies were painted with yellows and pinks.
It was almost as gorgeous as her. I stared at her taking in her features. Her gold princess curls, her grey eyes full of warmth, her bright smile.

My annoying brain nagged me to tell her. How rude.
She glanced at me and gave me a gentle smile. "What are you thinking?"
"Nothing." I returned her smile.
"Come on. I'm leaving tomorrow. There isn't something you want to tell me?"
I stared at her and swallowed. "Everything I want to tell you I've already told you."
She sighed with a look of disappointment in her eyes but she rested her head on my shoulder and held my hand. She fiddled with my fingers and sent shocks up my arm.

Soon I started to feel tear dropped on my shoulder and glanced over to see her crying.
"Hey please don't cry. We promised not to make today sad."
"But-"
"Shh." I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into my lap. She wrapped her arms around my neck and sobbed.
"I-I don't want to leave." She choked out.
"Of course you do. You've worked so hard for this. You deserve this more than anything."
"But I'm leaving you- I-I'll probably never see you again."

I squeezed my eyes shut and wrapped my arms tighter around her. "Of course we will. Someday." Tears threatened to spill from my eyes. I held them in as best I could but it was no use. Soon I was crying, holding her in my arms, probably for one of the last times.
I wanted to believe I'll see her again. I wanted to think that maybe someday I can watch her draw again or watch disney movies late at night.
Sooner or later she stopped crying and leaned against my chest. She stared off at the setting sun and sighed.
"Annabeth?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."

"F-For what." She looked at me with a confused expression.
"For making life worth living. When I lost my job and apartment I thought it was the end of the world but I was wrong. Meeting you was the best thing I've ever gotten to do."
She stared at me with tears in her eyes. She smiled and nodded.
"Back at you Seaweedbrain. You- you're-" Tears fell down her cheeks and I wiped them away.
"I know. No more tears ok?" 
She nodded and wrapped me in a tight hug.
"Hey let's go home. Let's make the most of tonight."

-

After watching a movie and shedding a few more tears she went to her room to make sure she had everything for tomorrow.
I went to my room and prepared her going away present. I smiled down at my work and stuffed it into the small envelope and sealed it.
I crashed onto my bed and buried my face into the soft mattress. After laying there in despair for way longer than I should've, I turned off the light and decided to go to bed. I covered myself with the blankets and squeezed my eyes shut.

A few minutes later I heard a knock at my door and pulled the sheets off. I opened the door to reveal Annabeth standing there in her pajamas, tears running down her cheeks.
"Come here." I pulled her into a tight hug and closed the door. Her body shook with pain.
"Can I sleep by you tonight?" She mumbled at a barely audible tone.
"Of course." She pulled away from the hug and crawled into the bed. I crawled in after her and wrapped my arms around her. She shifted and turned to wrap her arms around me.

I kissed her forehead and held her tight.
No more tears. I told myself as I drifted asleep.