Kai waited off to the side of the crowd gathered to collect their loved ones. The airport had always been one of his least favorite places, which was probably why Tyson and the others were so confused when he was the one who offered to pick Hilary up.

"I'd rather drive to the airport than plan the party," he offered by way of reason.

They shrugged and went back to planning her graduation party. Another surprise party that took him back to when she first said goodbye. The kiss that blazed against his cheek and the feeling of her small hands holding onto his arm that lingered long after she'd left made him believe he was sick. But a few weeks later, he had not had physical symptoms and yet his body still ached. It was only after Max mentioned speaking to Hilary that he realized he missed her.

"Is she having fun?" Mariah asked.

"She said she went to a party and that some guy hit on her all night. She had to pretend not to know English to get him to leave her alone. Somehow, he believed her even though they'd had a conversation earlier."

Kai considered that the moment he became aware of his feelings, though on reflection he could see where they were peeking through before. He spent the next months trying to ignore the increasing feelings of loneliness and detachment, ignoring her calls while the others crowded the video screen, but even that had its consequences.

But since seeing her in New York, he felt things had shifted in his favor. She had tried to move on and he had given her the space she needed to try. Both had failed. Now it was just a matter of moving forward from this awkward phase they found themselves in.

Hard to do over the phone when she was half a world away. He'd asked her to wait once and he promised never to do it again, but he hoped that by keeping in contact, he'd keep himself at the forefront of her mind. He hoped that she'd see the future they could share.

He didn't have any signs to flag her down but her eyes found him immediately as if drawn by a magnet.

That's what they were, Kai thought. Magnets that were constantly drawn to each other.

"Do you need help with your bags?" he asked when she stopped in front of him, her eyes shining with happiness.

"No, I sold almost everything from New York and what's left was shipped earlier this week," she sighed. "I've been living out of this suitcase for what feels like forever."

He took the rolling bag from her, taking her small backpack as well.

"So, what's the plan," she asked as they walked away from the bustling airport toward his car.

"What do you mean? There's no plan,"

Her eyes narrowed at him. "That's what Max said before my going away party,"

"Then Max is a better liar than I thought because you couldn't have been more surprised." He put her bags in his trunk. Closing the car, he turned to her. She had her face turned toward the sun.

"It doesn't feel real yet," she said to the open air, "that I'm done. That I'm back permanently."

Kai took the opportunity to admire her. When he saw her again at the funeral, he was caught up in the changes she'd undergone since she left. Now, he was surprised by how much she looked the same. Her hair was a bit longer but besides that, she looked exactly like she had when he saw her last.

She turned back to see him looking at her. He refused to advert his gaze, letting her see what she wanted to; he was done hiding his thoughts from her. She blushed from whatever she found in his eyes.

Kai approached. It felt familiar and right to be in her space again. His hand brushed her cheek. They fell against each other as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Her lips gently pulling on his bottom lip while his thumb trailed just under hers. It stayed there when he pulled away.

"Welcome home," he said.

Hilary threw her arms around him and rose on her toes to meet his lips. He had to dip or she'd never had made it on her own but he was all too willing to give her what she wanted. His hand traveled to the back of her neck to cradle her there, keeping her within reach until she lowered herself.

"Best welcome home ever," she whispered into the small space between them.

Thank you to all the wonderful readers. Even if your not reviewing, I still see you. Sending my love and appreciation.

Next update on Sunday