Hey guys! Sorry for the delay. Hope everyone's been having an awesome summer! Here is the last chapter, sniff. It's a little rushed, sorry!
**Massie**
When I woke up, I felt Derrick's arms wrapped around me and I couldn't help but smile and snuggle closer to him. The events of last night came rushing back to me, from Claire singing her song and finally getting with Cam, to the guys hanging out in our room and talking until like 2 am when we all fell asleep. I looked over to see Claire and Cam in a similar position, except she was still asleep. Cam looked like he had just woken up as well, but he gave me a lazy smile. I really felt like this trip had changed our lives for the better. Everything was finally perfect.
Derrick let out a yawn and stretched, dislodging me from my previous position. I sat up slowly and crossed my arms, missing his warmth.
"Goodmorning," he whispered, and Cam and I whispered it back. I guess we weren't quiet enough though because Claire started to stir. Slowly her eyes fluttered open and she gave a lazy grin.
"Morning guys," she turned her head to smile back at Cam. But as she turned her head back normal, I could see a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"Alright boys, we'll meet you at breakfast," I commanded authoritatively, sitting up and walking to the door, and holding it open until they finally climbed out of bed and headed back to their room to get dressed.
"What is it now?" I asked Claire as I shut the door behind them and walked over to her bed where she was still snuggled in the blankets.
"Ehh. I'll be fine once I get out of bed. I'm just sad that this is our last day with them," she sighed, stretching.
"Me, too," I admitted with a yawn and walking towards the closet. "But they'll come visit us in New York. You know they will," I assured her.
"You're right," she admitted, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed and standing up. "I'm so glad Cam and I worked everything out. I can't believe he did all that just to show me how much he cares."
I couldn't help but giggle at that as she walked over to join me. I knew that nothing less would have convinced her to give a long distance relationship with Cam a try, but I was glad she was happy about it.
"Well, let's give them something glamorous to remember us by," she tilted her head towards the closet with a grin. I grinned back hugely as we went to work picking our outfits for our last chance to hang out with the guys… at least for a while.
**Derrick**
I couldn't believe we were about to have to say goodbye to the girls, but I was more than thankful everything had worked out well. I looked around the breakfast table at my best friend, my girlfriend, and my best girl friend, and couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Massie caught my eye and smiled back.
"I can't believe we get a free day to explore Athens!" Claire gushed, her eyes bright. Cam squeezed her hand and I nodded in agreement.
"Me neither," Massie replied, equally enthusiastic, "let's try and get off the boat first to beat the traffic."
We all agreed and got up to clear our plates before heading out to the deck to wait by the ramp. If we got off the boat behind everyone else then we'd have to sit in the back of the bus and be the last to get off once we arrived in Athens.
Claire was literally bouncing with excitement as we exited the boat. We took our seats at the front and nearly everyone complimented her karaoke performance as they passed. I looked over at Massie, who was beaming with pride, and couldn't help but smile. I was amazed that she could be that proud of someone else's success, but it made me happy as well. I tried not to think about the fact that I'd be boarding a plane home after dinner and focus on the time we had left together. She made it easy though, keeping me engaged throughout the bus ride until we arrived in the heart of the city. I leaned in to kiss the top of her head and caught a whiff of her shampoo. It was an enchanting scent, and I knew whoever else wore it would always remind me of Massie.
We left the bus and the four of us stood in a line, marveling at the city. We had the whole day to explore on our own, and I had no idea where to start.
"Hey, check that out," Cam spoke up, pointing to where there were a row of scooters for rent. Claire's eyes instantly brightened, and Massie looked beyond excited. She clapped her hands and turned to me.
"Oh can we please?" I shared a look with Cam, who shrugged before nodding. We led the girls over to the vendor.
"Americans?" the sales guy asked, but before I could reply, Cam answered back in Greek. I shook my head and laughed to myself. Of course he did. Claire and Massie looked slightly confused, but I knew Cam must be getting us a good deal.
Sure enough he handed the guy a wad of bills and turned to us.
"C'mon, two of these are ours for the day," he announced, leading us over to where the scooters were parked. I shot him a thank-you grin as the girls rushed over to look at the scooters and put their helmets on. I hopped on a bike and revved the engine, trying to get a feel for how it would move. I slowed it to allow Massie to climb on behind me, and grinned when I felt her wrap her arms around my waist. I glanced over to make sure that Cam and Claire were settled and nodded my head once to indicate that we were ready, and with that we took off to explore the city of Athens.
**Cam**
I couldn't imagine a better feeling than zipping through the streets of Athens with Claire clinging to my waist and our best friends at our sides. I felt relaxed and free in a city I had toured a couple times before, en route to visiting relatives elsewhere in Greece. We stopped at the Parthenon, Acropolis, and other cool Ancient Greek attractions. I could see that light come alive in Claire again, and found her passion for mythology totally endearing. There was something about her when she was excited about music or history that just made me want to know how her mind worked, which was a huge change from the ambitionless girls I knew back home. I wasn't looking forward to going back to that, but I was so glad I would have Claire to talk to even if we'd be far away. I was already planning a trip to New York over the summer.
We pulled up to a beautiful fountain, and Derrick immediately started snapping pictures while Claire and Massie posed.
"Get in there, Cam!" he gestured for me to join them, but I shook my head.
"Only if you come too," I answered.
"I'll go ask that couple if they'll take a picture of us," Claire offered, running over to a couple with a scooter. They were faced away from us, but something seemed oddly familiar about the woman.
"Excuse me—" Claire stopped short as they turned and I heard Massie gasp from her spot up on the fountain.
"Oh, hello Claire!" said none other than Ginnah. Derrick and I exchanged a look. I think we both had a feeling what was coming next.
"Hi Ginnah… and Mr. Myner?" Claire's shock was apparent, and I heard Massie whisper 'no way' under her breath.
"Hey Claire, what can we do for you?" He replied.
"Oh," she said, flustered, "we were just hoping to find someone to take a picture of us here."
"Sure thing," Myner replied, "as long as you return the favor," he smiled down at Ginnah who nodded.
Derrick handed them his camera and we all climbed up on the fountain.
"Say cheese!" He called out as he snapped the picture.
We climbed down and Derrick took the camera Ginnah handed to him.
"Put all that time you waste in my class fiddling with cameras to use," she instructed with a wink.
When they hopped down, Mr. Myner went over to talk to the girls while Ginnah came to us to see how the picture turned out.
"Hold on to these ones," she said quietly, and it took me a moment to realize that she was talking about Massie and Claire. Derrick looked up, confused, not yet understanding. "They're good girls. Better than ones you'll find at Allymore. Not it any creepy way, but I've been watching you guys, and I'm so glad you all finally got together." She grinned, and I returned it.
"Well, how about you and Myner?" I responded. "He seems like a pretty solid guy. The girls seem to like him as a teacher at least," I told her.
"Yeah well, I'm not sure I should talk about these kinds of things with my students," she blushed slightly, "but things are going well. We'll see. I'm amused that you guys picked up on it before the girls did," she commented, causing Derrick and I to share a knowing grin.
Massie and Claire let out a huge laugh at whatever Mr. Myner had just said to them, causing all of us to look over.
"Well, I guess we should head out and see the rest of Athens," Derrick said, and I could tell all he wanted was to get back to Massie's side.
"Yea. It was good running into you guys. Remember, the bus leaves for the airport at 4:30. See you then," Ginnah reminded us before starting to head back to her scooter. We returned to ours, and waited for the girls, who came over almost immediately.
As we waved to the teachers and prepared to head out, Massie turned back and yelled out "good work Mr. Myner!" with a cat call. Cracking up, we sped away to go find lunch.
**Claire**
It was both the saddest and happiest day ever. I was so wrapped up in Cam and the city and Massie and Derrick. I just never wanted it to end.
I still couldn't believe that Ginnah and Mr. Myner were like a thing! How had that completely gone over my head? Still, I was beyond happy for them. This trip had been good for everybody.
We got lunch at an outdoor vendor, and I had the most amazing kebab and stuffed grape leaves of my life. Then we spent the afternoon zipping around the city and popping in and out of little shops. Cam bought me this amazing journal to write songs in, since he noticed my old one was getting full. It was covered in starts that made the shapes of constellations. I knew I would think of him every time I used it.
Derrick bought Massie some bracelets and one of those crowns made of olive branches. I giggled seeing her in it, because she did look very regal.
I would always remember Athens as one of my favorite cities. Not just because I had always wanted to go to Greece, but it was the place where everything was finally perfect. That's what I thought as we returned out scooters and headed for the bus. I was taking mental snapshots the whole time. I was glad Derrick had that amazing camera of his.
We made it through security with no problems, and the boys came to wait with us at our gate since they had a later flight. Cam and I had a thumb war, while Massie just laid with her head on Derrick's shoulder. I'd never seen her so pensive and reflective before. But I smiled, knowing Derrick had helped her drop her need to put up a perfect façade all the time.
"Calling all passengers for flight 5729 to London. Please prepare for boarding," a man said over the loudspeaker. I looked at Cam sadly, and he gave my hand a squeeze. Normally I'm so against PDA, but when he leaned in to give me one last kiss, I responded eagerly.
"Hey," he whispered when we broke apart, "I'll see you soon, okay?" I nodded in response, knowing he meant it and would do everything in his power to come see me. I truly believed him, and after everything he'd done to prove how much he cared for me, how could I not?
We went through the line to get our boarding passes scanned, and once we were through I turned back to see Derrick and Cam waving goodbye to us. I waved back and blew a kiss before turning to walk down the jetway. Massie fell into step with me and gave me an elbow jab and a grin. Sure our trip was eneding, but it had been the best one of our lives. I was thankful for an experience I would never forget.
**Epilogue**
"Welcome, students, to Columbia University Class of 2017 Freshman Orientation!" A voice cut through the crowd over the large speaker system. Students were milling about or chatting in groups, excited to start college. Two girls walked slowly through the crowd, not stopping to chat or make new friends.
"Where are they?" The brunette asked eagerly, bouncing on her toes. "They said they'd be here by now."
"We'll find them soon," the blonde reassured her friend, scanning the crowd.
Two guys walking behind them nudged each other. The blonde put a finger to his lips, and they both nodded. Then, as if on an invisible count, they ran forward and picked up the two girls, spinning them around.
"Cam!" The blond girl squealed, giggling.
"Derrick!" The brunette yelled as well.
"Happy to see us?" Derrick asked, giving his girlfriend a kiss on the nose.
"Took you long enough," she replied, rolling her eyes and giggling.
The four of them found a place to sit in the crowd and quieted down as the orientation speeches began, preparing for an awesome next four years of learning and partying and NYC living—but most importantly, being together.
So there you go! Give Me the Meltdown is officially complete. I'm leaving in a couple of days for my own college orientation, so I probably won't be on here anymore. I will post one more oneshot I wrote for Kea, but that's it! Thanks everyone for sticking with this story through the years it took me to write it! If you liked it, go read the real version, True Love, The Sphinx, and Other Unsolvable Riddles by Tyne O'Connell!
Infinite hugs,
-Sky