Towards the end of the night, the parents are all talking and Kio is laying across the couch making you wish you could walk over and curl up with him. Amelie called you into the kitchen and when you walked in it felt like an ambush because Riley was standing there, but then she showed you her phone with Avani on facetime.
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Avani: "I know I'm already gone, but with Riley moved out and Amelie leaving soon, and you leaving tomorrow it just feels like this is really goodbye."
Amelie: "We just wanted one last BFF chat before this all ended."
After lots of laughs and a few tears, Amelie went back to the dining room as her mom called for help setting up dessert.
Riley: "I know you don't want my apology any more than you wanted Bryce's but I just wanted to tell you that I love you and you're the best friend I've ever had and I'm so so sorry I hurt you."
You: "How is therapy coming?"
Riley: *tearing up* "It's helping. I have a lot to work through and right now my goal is to try to fix my stuff before I push Jaden away too."
You hugged her and she squeezed you back tight and whispered: "I won't ever stop hoping you forgive me."
She pulled back, wiped her eyes, and rushed off before the tears turned to full waterfalls. You heard her in the other room saying goodbyes and rushing a confused Jaden out the door. You went into the bathroom and leaned against the sink, fighting your own tears as someone tapped at the bathroom door lightly.
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You already knew it'd be Kio before the door even opened. He always had a way of being there when you needed him most since you were little kids. He let himself in and pulled you tight against him and wrapped you up in the warmest safest hug.
Kio: *running his hands through your hair and whispering* "I don't know what happened to make Riley rush off but I can guess. Are you ok? Baby, what can I do?"
You: "I just hate that she did this. I really need her right now and I'm so mad that she made it where I can't count on her. Ugh, I guess it's for the best... she would have left after she found out I slept with you anyway."
Kio: "Everything's going to be okay. I'm sure your emotions are just heightened because of leaving tomorrow but everything is going to be okay. I love you so much."
You let him kiss you and forget how much leaving tomorrow was going to hurt. After dessert, Kio asked if you wanted to hang out after everyone left. His mom overheard and told him to head home with his step-dad instead.
Kio: "How are you going to get home?"
Kio's Mom: *winks at you* "We're gonna have some bonus mom / bonus daughter time and then she'll drop me off, right?"
You nodded but felt your stomach drop as Kio drove off and his mom climbed into your car: "Let's go for coffee and chat."
You were dreading this and all you could think about was what if she'd heard you and Kio talking in the bathroom. You pulled up to the cafe and she led you to a quiet table.
Kio's Mom: "I bet you're excited about the move... you're starting college and your adult life. That's so exciting. I'm so proud of you."
You: "I guess. It's scary to think of everything I'm leaving behind. I wonder if I'm doing the right thing."
Kio's Mom: *smiling like she knows more than she lets on* "I think it's good to leave some things behind because maybe they aren't ready to grow up as fast as you are."
It feels a lot like she's referring to Kio so you respond: "But what if I'm leaving behind something I'm meant to hold onto."
Kio's Mom: "If that's the case then it'll find a path later down the road. Because I know what a good heart you have and you would never want to be the reason they missed out on what they are meant to be doing."
You understand exactly what she's getting at. She doesn't want you keeping Kio from enjoying his senior year and she doesn't want you being the reason Kio isn't there for Riley.
