I AM SO SORRY I HAVEN'T UPDATED THIS UNTIL NOW

writer's block kicked my ass and also i just lost a lot of motivation

anyway! i hope you like this chapter! and hopefully i'll be better with updating but no promises lmaooo

Summary: Connor and Luke say goodbye.

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July 28th. The day came all too soon. It was nearly the end of the summer break and it was the day Luke was leaving for New York City. The Murphys had driven to the airport to see them off, and Connor couldn't help but feel like this was just one big nightmare that was going on and on and if he could just figure out how to wake up then everything would be fine and Luke wouldn't be leaving.

The Davidsons were already at the airport by the time the Murphys got there, their carts stacked with luggage and boxes. Luke spotted him and ran up to give him a hug. The two boys held each other tightly, as if that could prevent Luke from going away.

"I'm going to miss you so much," Luke finally said, letting go of Connor and readjusting the strap on his backpack.

"I don't want you to go," Connor mumbled numbly, suddenly feeling very lost.

Luke was about to reply when Mrs. Davidson came over from the luggage check-in line and put a hand on Connor's shoulder. "Thanks for being such a good friend to Luke, we're going to miss you, but you're welcome to visit us in New York once we've settled in."

Connor managed to force a smile. "Thanks, Mrs. Davidson." As if a weeklong trip to New York City would ever make up for all the months and years they would be spending apart from each other. It wouldn't be the same. Ever. Why couldn't anyone get that?

"We'll still call like, every week, or even every day, right?" Luke reminded him, noticing his downcast expression.

It's not the same. It'll never be the same. Connor nodded. "Yeah, of course."

"Promise me you'll visit me? Soon?" Luke continued.

"Of course, I would love to," Connor said, trying to smile, trying to be happy for him. Happy that his best friend was going to New York, going to have so many new opportunities, going to pursue his dreams.

But in his heart, Connor couldn't shake the feeling of bitterness and envy. And it made him feel bad. Why was he feeling this way? He should be happy, happy for his best friend. Why was he jealous? Why?

"Well, I guess we better make our way through security before the line gets too long, we wouldn't want to miss our flight," Mrs. Davidson said regretfully, passports and boarding passes already in her hand. "Let's go, Luke."

"Bye, Connor," Luke said, hugging him one more time.

Connor tried to squeeze him extra tight for the last time. "Bye, Luke. Have fun. I hope you enjoy life in New York City."

"Thanks, Con," Luke said, tugging his little carry-on luggage behind him, and following slightly behind his parents as they made their way through the security gates. Connor and Zoe both waved to them. Luke turned around and waved to them one last time, before disappearing into the crowd of people that were lining up at the security checkpoints.

Even though he couldn't see them anymore, Connor still stood there, as if hoping that he could catch one last glimpse of Luke before he left. A single tear dripped down his cheek.

Larry placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "Do you maybe want to grab something to eat? McDonald's?"

Connor nodded numbly. He knew that this was a treat, and he was grateful that his dad was trying to cheer him up instead of telling him to stop crying and be a man. But at the same time, it was almost laughable that Larry seemed to think that something like McDonald's could make him feel better about his best and only friend leaving.

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Connor poked dully at his cheeseburger. It wasn't that he didn't like it. He knew it would probably be a long time before Cynthia would allow him to have fast food again. It was just that his heart hurt and he felt lost and he didn't know what was going to happen to him in the future.

Next to him, Zoe was stuffing her face with fries, her hands streaked and sticky with ketchup. He grabbed a few of the fries for himself before they were all gone.

"Do you want to get more fries?" Larry offered even as Cynthia's eyebrows furrowed at the suggestion.

"Okay," Connor nodded, getting up from his eat and joining Larry in line.

They stood in silence for a while, as the lady in front seemed to be making a million modifications to her family's order, and basically taking forever. Connor picked at a chipped fingernail.

"I know you and Luke were close," Larry quietly said out of the blue, and Connor looked up in surprise. "I'm sorry he had to leave."

Connor nodded gratefully, not too sure what to say, and half-expecting his dad to continue with a "but…". He finally decided on mumbling a "mmhm" in response.

Honestly, he was a little surprised since he knew that Larry was never fond of Luke, since he loved to dance and Larry was concerned about his influence over Connor. Larry seemed to gather that from Connor's unsure response, so he continued with a small sigh, "Look, I don't love the fact that you two… danced a lot. But he was a good kid, and I'm glad he was your friend, okay?"

Connor smiled a little and muttered a sheepish, "Thanks, Dad."

Finally, it was their turn to order. Larry ordered three more packets of fries and a coffee for himself, and once they received the food they returned to their table. Cynthia frowned slightly disapprovingly at the amount of fries they had ordered, although she did not say anything. She did, however, decline when Larry offered her some of his. They ate the rest of their meal largely in silence.

When they got home, Connor locked himself in his room and curled up in bed, not even bothering to change into clean clothes. He lay there for a long time, just replaying in his mind all the favorite moments he had shared with Luke.

On his study table, there was a picture of Luke and him at one of their many sleepovers, in between a picture of Connor and Zoe at the orchard with their four-leaf clovers, and one of their annual family Christmas photos.

Everyone else seemed to act as if it wasn't a big deal. Like it was just something unfortunate that would soon pass. Or it was just a little problem they could solve by visiting New York City over Christmas break.

But to Connor it was everything. His best and only friend was moving. Moving away. Everything was wrong. He felt as if he were drowning, or falling, and there wasn't anyone who could save him.

With Luke gone, Connor realized, it was as if one chapter of his life were suddenly over.

Nothing was going to be the same again.

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if you liked this! please leave a comment! they motivate me soo much!
also hmu on tumblr if you wanna talk! i'm thewickedverkaiking :))