A/N: Thank you very much for the reviews and support! I hope my story continues to please you! And welcome any new readers! I realize things escalated quickly in the last few chapters, but it was totally out of my control. *cough* *cough* The words wrote themselves without my say so. Hahaha. Here is a dramatic little chapter before the next story arc where things really get juicy.

My parents didn't consent to our relationship until well into our senior year. Well, it wasn't really 'consent' but passive aggressive acceptance since I was not listening to them anymore, and they had no choice but to accept it. During the two years after the confrontation, it was awkward coming home to the silent treatment, yet I could've really cared less.

I was finally doing things my own way without hesitation, and it felt great.

With my newfound freedom and Miles by my side, my musical talents flourished, catching the eye of the Denver Symphony Orchestra.

They offered me a place in a 3-year study program with several acclaimed musicians to hone my craft further before officially giving me a place in the orchestra as a pianist and composer.

Miles and I screamed and jumped around when I received the invitation, pissing everyone off in the Student Life center.

Yes, the offer was a dream come true.

But there was a catch.

My studies would take place abroad, and I would have to leave right after graduation.

This meant that Miles and I would be separated for three years.

Three whole years.

May 2005

It was the day before graduation, and I was sitting in my empty dorm room, reflecting on the past.

The Upshurs and my parents' were in town for the ceremonies, staying at the same hotel oddly enough. Kamal and Sophia bombarded them with handshakes and hugs, while my parents just stiffly shook their hands. Typical.

I shook my head at the memory and closed my eyes.

'Four years really fly by, don't they?'

So much has happened: I met Miles and fell in love with him, I gained independence from my parents, and now, I have my dream job and have a chance to learn more about the musical world.

Despite all of my good fortune, my heart ached thinking about the three year separation.

Since our confessions two years prior, life has just been wonderful. Sure we have our fights and differences, but it has been an adventure, and my chest warms at the thought of Miles.

For four years, that boy has been a huge part of my life

How can I adjust when I've grown so accustomed to having him near me?

Miles tells me to "stop your worrying and go show the world what you're made off", but I know the separation is killing him inside too, even though he hasn't shown it yet.

My phone vibrated before I could get too lost in my thoughts and found it was a text from Miles.

Short Stack, meet me by the jeep. There is somewhere I want to go.

I'm going to miss his cryptic messages.

Grabbing my purse, I looked around the room with a heavy heart one final time before walking out.

"You're thirty minutes late, short stack." Miles called out, hopping off the hood of the jeep. "If I recall correctly, you did the same thing when I first asked you to meet me here."

I playfully punched his arm and laughed.

"You seem to forget how big campus is, Miles. Now, tell me where it is we're going."

"It's a surprise!" He went and opened the passenger door for me. "Your chariot awaits, cara mia."

"Oh, no." I giggled, taking my seat. "Nothing good ever happens when you call me that."

"Oh shut up and close your eyes." He scoffed, hopping into the driver's seat. "I'll tell you when we get there."

"I hope it's not a strip club again."

"That was an accident! I thought it was a strip mall. Now close your eyes!"

"Sure, Miles. Sure."

After twenty minutes of bumpy roads and pure darkness, I started getting curious about our destination.

"Can I open my eyes yet?" I whined, kicking my feet back and forth.

"Did I say we were there yet?"

"..No."

"Then no. Just relax and be patient."

"That's rich coming from you." I mumbled, squealing when he pinched my nose.

About ten minutes later, I felt the jeep halt to a stop and heard Miles scrambling around the car, chanting "Don't open your eyes yet!" with an occasional "I need to clean the carpet" and a "Where the fuck are the M&M's?!" thrown in.

"Miles?" I lowered my hands, my eyes still closed. "Are you alright?"

"Just peachy." He snapped, still shuffling around the backseat. "Hold on a second."

"Are you su-?"

"Got it!" He cheered, relief evident in his voice. "Alright, you can look now."

I opened my eyes and saw Miles had parked the jeep on a cliff overlooking the city. I gasped and covered my mouth, marveled by the breathtaking view.

The sun was setting, dying the valley in a reddish glow, making the view both haunting and beautiful.

"Miles," I breathed out, "How did you find this place?"

"Sometimes I cut class and drive around the mountains, clearing the head and such. Anyways," He held up a bag. "here is part two of the surprise."

I took a look at the bag and laughed.

"Burger King? Oh the memories!" I peeked into the bag and saw two whoppers, the same thing we ordered when we first met. "Wow, Miles, this is so sweet."

He shrugged with a smile on his face.

"Well, I figured our last day as college students warranted a celebration. And what better way to celebrate than with a great view, great food, and great company?"

His words, though very touching, sent a pang of sorrow into my heart.

Our last day as students.

Our last day together.

"Miles," I turned to him. "I-."

"If you're going to bring up your trip again, save your breath. Young-ja," He stared me, a serious expression on his face. "This is a wonderful opportunity. Three years isn't that long, and we'll keep in contact through texts and Skype. So stop worrying and go."

He snatched a whopper from the bag and began stuffing his face, squeezing the burger until the ketchup squirted out its sides.

"Miles.." I reached out towards him.

"Look!" He whipped out another bag filled with candy. "I bought all of your favorites: Junior Mints, M&Ms, and Butterfingers." Miles voice began to crack. "I know how much you love these, so you better eat up."

'Miles.." I touched his shoulder, but he shoved my hand away.

"Don't start, Young-ja! I want to enjoy what little time I have left with you, and I will be damned if I let you spend the entire time reminding me again and again that you're leaving."

He turned away from me, his body starting to tremble, and I felt my heart shatter into pieces.

"Miles," I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. "…I'll miss you too."

He covered his eyes and a small gasp escaped his lips as tears began streaming down his cheeks.

"Damn it. I'm happy for you, I really am." Then he finally faced me with red eyes and a heartbroken expression. "So why does it feel like my heart's being ripped out of my chest?"

I said nothing, just yanked him into my arms and let him cry on my shoulder as I cried alongside him.

Miles held me so tightly that it hurt, but I didn't care and held him just as fiercely.

"Fuck," he whimpered, "I miss you so much already. For three damn years, I won't be able to hold you, or kiss you, or anything. Just the thought of it pisses me off more and more."

I ran my fingers through his unruly black hair and rubbed circles on his back, trying to soothe the both of us.

"It's like you said," I replied in a voice I didn't recognize. "Three years will fly by, and we still can keep in contact." Then I gave a small chuckle, attempting to lighten the mood. "You won't find someone else while I'm gone, will you?"

Miles immediately sat up, eyes wide and cheeks caked with dried tears.

"Don't even joke about that! Do you think my feelings for you will disappear in three years?!" He cupped my face in his hands. "I love you. Only you. If you were gone for twenty years, I'd still be here waiting for you. And you know I mean that from the bottom of my heart."

I smiled and nodded, feeling a new set of tears coming out.

"I know." I said weakly, placing my hands over his. "I love you too, Miles. I promise to hurry up and come back to you."

"You better, short stack." He rested his forehead against mine. "And you damn well better learn every single fucking thing about music because I'm expecting a full performance when you come back."

"It's a date then." I sealed the promise with a kiss which he returned readily, tangling his fingers into my hair.

"And while you're gone," Miles said in between kisses. "I'll be kicking ass and taking names with my stories, so you'll hear my name all across Europe."

I laughed, my heart feeling a little lighter now. "I look forward to it."

We continued kissing, not leaving an inch between us, wanting to remember how the other felt.

"We should probably head back." I panted, easing Miles off me. "It is already 2 am."

"We can just sleep in the backseat. I have blankets." He started kissing down my neck. "I want to be with you as long as possible."

Blushing, I smiled and pulled him off me again, ignoring his pout.

"Graduation for the English Department is at 6 a.m., and I'm sure your parents are worried about you since you promised to be home by midnight." I rubbed my noses against his. "And this will give you something to look forward to when I come back."

"Must you always be such a goody two-shoes, short stack?" He sighed, returning the gesture.

"Yes, but would you have me any other way?"

"Hell no." Miles lifted my hand to his face and kissed my knuckles. "Alright, you win, Short Stack. But be ready when you come back because I'm cashing in that rain check immediately."

"As long as you wait until we're in private, you dork." I kissed his cheek. "Be good for me while I'm gone, alright?"

"I'll try. Just hurry back to me. Okay?"

"Okay."

A/N: The college arc is now done! I just wanted to have a chapter with tears and making out because I'm strange like that. In regards to a separation, I felt Miles would try to hide his feelings because he didn't want to seem selfish and like he was stopping Young-ja from chasing her dreams. Yet, if he was pushed enough, I feel his façade would shatter, and he would show his true feelings. I was looking through my outlines and realized I really needed to move the story along now that they confessed. I also want to move to the darker parts of the story now. It will happen in a few chapters since I want to do at least one with them apart. And that ending, I didn't mean to make it a "Fault in Our Stars" reference. Totally by accident. Lol. One more big thing happens before Mount Massive timeline, so look forward to it! By the way, in this chapter, both Miles and Young-ja are 21, about to turn 22. *cries* They grow up so fast. P.S. This story still going to be rated T until the later chapters where it will be rated M. P.P.S. I'm still traveling, so the updates will still be weird. Hahaha.