Kim

I walked home with Chase, knowing that this was probably my last few moments we would get to spend together in a while. It was sad, today was full of lasts. My last day of school, ever. Even more so, my last day as an Erudite student. I would never have to pick up a textbook again. I was weirdly excited about that. My last time walking home from school. My last time getting up early just so I could straighten my hair to impress absolutely no one. My last time calling myself an Erudite. Tomorrow would be my last morning in Erudite, which made tonight my last night.

I guess I was getting used to the fact I was leaving. I said all my goodbye's already, it wasn't much of a secret. Except my family. They didn't actually know what was happening. I never said anything and my mom never brought up the subject. She was a quiet women. She looked a lot like me, but was a bit bigger and always had a soft face. She was a studier, like someone book smart. But she was never the talker.

We stopped in front of Chase's house.

"So, this is it..." Chase looked at me, then she moved her gaze to something behind me. I could tell she was trying to keep it causal and not much of a big deal. We were both trying to avoid the reality that we weren't going to see each other every day anymore.

I took a breath and nodded, "Yeah, I guess so."

"Well, it was real Kim"

I gave her a small smile, nodding at our inside joke. "It was real fun"

Then Chase came and hugged me. I hugged her back, trying to keep a consistent smile on my face but I knew I was going to tear up soon.

"I'm gonna miss you so much" I let out, barley above a whisper. It was hard and I felt like this was somehow my fault. The only reason we were even having this was because I was leaving Chase, she was staying.

"Seriously, your like my best friend"

I laughed, my smile widening,"Who else would be able to put up with you?" I teased, knowing that the two of us have gone through some shaky times. And even when she got moody, I took it because we were there for each other.

"Shut up" she responded, which made me laugh harder because she was such a high matenince friend.

Then we both sighed.

"So this is goodbye?" I said to her, not really asking but I needed to hear it out loud.

Chase shook her head in response, "No, this is see you later. Trust me we'll see each other again."

I smiled, knowing she was right. We were going to see each other in the morning actually. I hugged her again, not exactly wanting it to be tomorrow morning yet.

"Seriously Kim, we can visit once we're members, and maybe even our children will meet each other! Or once I become the new Erudite Leader, I can go visit you in Amity and stuff!"

I chuckled, i knew she was just going through her fantasies but it was ok. Fantasies were nice to cling onto.

"Yes, I know that will be you one day. Chase Matthews, leader of Erudite, generation 2." I pretended I was joking, but I did believe she would so something once.

Chase nodded," And you'll be some fabulous artist in Amity and I'll see your work one day and be like "That's my best friend!""

Then we just stood for a second, letting the silence linger for a second.

"I should go inside..." Chase said, and I nodded.

"See you later Chase." I called to her.

"Later Kimberly" She said as she walked inside.

And that was it. That was the goodbye we had but like she said, it was a see you later. Then I had to walk home by myself, which wasn't a long walk or anything. I just had a lot of time to think. Alone.

When I got back I opened the door to my own house. I walked in quietly, hearing the sounds of two little sisters fill the house.

Khelssee ran up to me, grinning. She took after my mother, being quiet. But I figured she took after my dad, she had my eyes but blonde hair. I picked her up, putting her on my hip. She was 5 now, and a little heavier then she used to be. But it was ok, because I knew I wouldn't be able to hold her for a while.

"Hey you" I said to her, touching her nose as she grinned at me. Then I walked into the kitchen, where I figured my mom and sister would be. I was right, my mom was there with Kim.

Kim was 3, and the most adorable thing ever. She had the blonde hair, but she had grayish eyes. I smiled at her, putting Khelssee down.

"Hey mom" I said to her smiling. She nodded back, and continued to make dinner, specifically spaghetti. She was good, I was a sucker for spaghetti. I turned to the two girls.

"So, how was school?" I asked them both, a pang of guilt was in my chest. I couldn't do it, keep procrastinating about telling them. I knew they were pretty young so I wasn't sure how they were gonna take it. Khelessee would get it though, she's smarter then me. I would even estimate genius material. I know she would be a good Erudite.

Kim grinned, her blonde hair bobbling, "Well I learned something today!"

I smiled back, "And that would be?"

Kim shook her head, "It's a secret, I'm not aloud to tell you."

I laughed, "Fine, you can tell me when your ready." I said back to her, though I was seriously felling guilty about that line.

My mom sat down with me and the girls, holding the bowl of spaghetti.

"So," my mom started, and that's when I knew when it was coming, because she didn't like to start conversation.

"Yes mommy?" Kat asked turning to her, her voice was so high and adorable, it made me melt.

Khelssee grabbed some pasta, not saying anything and eating it. Then she looked to me.

"Kim, what are you thinking about tomorrow?"

I turned pink, "Um, mom."

She nodded, as in she already knew. I slowly regained color, if she already knew then she would see it coming.

"I'm going to Amity"

It was silent for a second, which ment that Kat had no idea what was going on. Khelssee on the other hand was wide eyed and definitely knew what was going on.

My mom nodded,"I'm proud of you for making your decision."

I smiled, "Really? Your not mad?"

She nodded back "Im always proud of you."

And that confirmed that I was good to go, I was aloud to do as I pleased. I didn't have to be confined by the rules of Erudite, I was free to finally do as I pleased. I was finally like the bird I wanted to be. I was spread out on my toes, and about to take flight from the nest.