Chapter Fifteen:

The Final Striker

I zipped my suitcase closed, finally finished packing for the flight home. I slipped on my flats and tugged on my jacket, taking one last look around my home for the past month.

Stepping into the main room, I found Wei drinking tea. "Morning Wei. Where's Alana?"

"She's over at Dan's. Spending some quality time, she said."

"Thanks Wei." I started to head for the front door, but turned and looked at my best friend's Aunt. She had done so much for me. She let me stay in her apartment for a month, and I'm not even related to her. She made tea for me every morning. I'd really taken her for granted.

"Something wrong?" she questioned, confused.

"No. Just...thank you. Honestly. For everything."

She smiled a small smile, and I turned for the door.

Inside Dan and Phil's apartment, I found Dan and Alana cuddling. Dan looked at me in horror. "You haven't come to take her from me, have you?"

I smiled weakly. "Our flight leaves in two hours."

"Come with us. Phil too," Alana said, tracing Dan's jawline with her dainty finger. Of course Dan agreed, for he was wrapped around that finger. We gathered our things, Alana bid goodbye to her aunt, and the four of us were off to the airport.

The vicinity smelled of popcorn, cheesy pretzels, and cotton candy. I took in the delicious smell, realizing I hadn't eaten anything for breakfast, and it was already 10:30. I squeezed Phil's hand and he looked down at me. "You okay, El?"

I smiled. "Yup. Just fine."

He looked at me for a minute and realized what I wanted. "That's your, 'Phil can you buy me sweets?' face." I grinned, and he easily gave in. "Alright, what would you like? Fairy floss?"

I nodded excitedly and Phil chuckled, pulling me with him to the concession line.

After a good forty-five minutes of waiting and a clown flash mobbing (which I hid from), we were comfortably seated in squishy blue chairs across from Alana and Dan. The two were completely entangled as if they were afraid that letting go would end the world. My mood instantly brightened, though, when Phil offered me some pink cotton candy. He took a huge chunk as well, stuffing it in his mouth and...frowning?

"What's wrong?"

"It melts so fast..."

I giggled. Only Phil would be frustrated with the instant melting away of cotton candy.

After 5 pounds of cotton candy and a rousing game of Never Have I Ever, an announcement came over the PA.

"Flight 29B to New York is now boarding."

Alana and I looked at each other, neither of us wanting to get up. Nevertheless, we dragged ourselves through the boarding process, holding on tight to our significant others all the while.

Just as we had finished all the necessary procedures, we stepped outside to the aircraft. Dan and Alana immediately began hugging each other, promising to write one another.

And I turned to Phil.

And he was actually crying. Like, not bawling crying, but actual tears. I'd never seen him cry before, and a wave of emotion crashed over me. I stepped closer to him, wrapping his arms around my middle and hugging him as tightly as I possibly could. I could feel him tremble from the feeling of loss, and I too lost something right then. I lost my ability to feel.

As I pulled back from him, I met his melancholy eyes.

"I'm going to miss you so much," he choked out.

"I'm gonna miss you, too." I tried my hardest to sound emotional, but in times like these, my body shut out all emotion.

"Flight 29B is set for takeoff in 5 minutes," the PA droned. I sighed, twisting my pinkie around Phil's and glancing at Alana.

"I have to go now, Phil."

"Okay..." he breathed, barely audible, and kissed my forehead ever so gently.

I stepped up to Alana and held my hand out to her, and together we made the voyage back home.

"Sweetheart! I've missed you so much!" My mom screeched as I walked through the front door. "Look how gorgeous you are!"

I rolled my eyes. "Mom, I just got off of an 18 hour flight. I'm so disheveled."

"And beautiful as ever."

"There's my little pumpkin pie!" I turned to see my dad, slightly wrinkled with age, but cheery and warm nonetheless. I allowed myself to be wrapped in his giant bear hug, listening to that all-familiar heartbeat. My heart tried to take me back to memories of Phil, but my brain shut all thoughts of him out. Not now. Not here.

"There's my little sis."

I turned to see my big brother smiling at me. "Hi Anthony."

"What? No emotional explosion of, 'I miss you!'?" he screamed, doing a perfect impression of me.

I laughed. "Nope. Not this time."

He pulled me in for a huge hug as well, nearly crushing my lungs.

"Can't. Breath," I choked out. He let go and chuckled.

"Nice to see you home, sis."

"Why don't you go upstairs and I'll make you some coffee?" My mom suggested. "I'm sure you're plum tuckered out."

I thanked my mother and headed upstairs to my bedroom.

Opening the door, the smell of sweat and cologne hit me. Anthony and his friends with their video games. In my room. Ugh. I kicked my shoes off and set my coat down on my bedside table, making my way over to the window. I looked out at the just now darkening sky of Ohio, all the fields stretching around the perimeter of my fields had always been sort of ironic to me because in reality, we only lived about 2 minutes away from town. I took in the scene, feeling suddenly sucked of all energy.

I flopped down on my bed, sinking into the covers. That's when my heart defeated my brain. And for the first time since leaving, I wept. I wept and wept and wept. I must've cried for at least a good three hours. The only thing that stopped me was the coffee mom had brewed me.

As I sipped it and sniffled, I picked up my jacket. It smelled of Phil still, like chocolate and a vain attempt to smell manly. I laughed at this, thinking of his dorkiness. It hadn't even been a full day and I was already missing him.

Of course I was. I was in love with him. In truth, he was the only guy I'd ever really loved. And now, we were separated by a massive ocean. Life sucked.

I threw my jacket down in frustration, putting a pillow over my face and muffling my screams of frustration. When I had removed the pillow, I noticed a small piece of paper on the floor. I picked it up and unfolded it.

Denny's on Thorn St. 7:30. Don't be late.

I stood up, wiping my nose, thoroughly confused. I could tell it was from Phil by the boyish handwriting. But why in the world would he want me to go to Denny's? Maybe for a life lesson? He was big on finding small details, so maybe. The clock read 7:25 P.M. I splashed my face with water, cleaned up my makeup, and grabbed my coat, heading out of my room. I yelled to my parents that I was going out for something important.

"Just don't be too late getting back!" my mom yelled cheerfully. I was out of the house and into the city in a minute and a half flat.

I stepped out of the car and into the chilly November air. The neon glow from the Denny's sign was inviting, and I could smell the food from the parking lot. I stepped into the diner and was instantly greeted.

"Elli! How was England?"

I turned to see the waiter, Horatio, and said, "Horatio! it was amazing! Absolutely breath-taking. I wish you could've been there!"

"Oh, me too. But unfortunately, still broke. Waiters are never tipped well."

"Oh..." I pulled a five from my pocket, handing it to my friend.

"Oh, no Elli. I won't accept that."

"Fine. Just count it as a tip then. I'll order some pancakes. That way, it'll be fair."

He beamed at me. "I've missed you, kid."

I smiled back at him and turned to take a seat at my usual table.

But someone was already sitting there.

Could that be...?

There's no way.

Oh my gosh.

"Phil!"

A/N: Last chapter! Yay! I actually finished a chapter story. What did you think of the ending. Kind of mean? Definitely not the best. Haha. Don't ask me what happens next. It's up for interpretation. You choose what happens next! (: This was, by no means, my best work, but I thoroughly enjoyed writing this piece. It grew on me, and I think I grew with it. Tell me whatcha thought! And be on the lookout for my next story. One should be coming fairly soon, so long as my teachers don't decide to assign me loads of homework.

Anyways, thank you so much to all of you who stuck with me through the whole thing. It really means so much to me. So until next story, I love you all! Mwah! xoxo

Oh! P.S. Here's a link to my new Phil story s/8488318/1/No-One-Said-This-Would-Be-Easy . I promise stories of the rest of Fantastic Foursome shall be written soon, but this idea has been floating around in my head for awhile. Hope you enjoy! :D