Thank you everyone for the continuous support of this story, you have no idea how much it means to me as this is the five-year anniversary of this story! Never in my wildest dreams did I anticipate all of this happening as I published it all those years ago!

Shoutout to pumpkinking5 for your review of the last chapter it was really appreciated! Unfortunately, I don't know when the next update will come, but I hope in two weeks on April 9th!

So without further ado here is chapter 46!

"So soon? That's a shame Troy," Taylor stated as I gave her a small smile.

"Yeah, I though I had more time too, but it is what it is," I shrugged as I saw Chad nodding his head.

"Will you be coming back to Albuquerque?" Chad wondered as it dawned on him that I was only visiting.

"Absolutely, but I have no idea when. I decided a little while ago that I will be attending college in Etrea, I know you had hopes about U of A Chad, I'm sorry," I apologized as Chad smiled.

"Hey I get it hoops, really. It was expected to hear you say that," Chad assured me giving me a smile, "I mean you would have been the only one from the team with me there, everyone is going their own ways."

"Wait, Zeke does that mean you got in?" I questioned puzzled as I knew U of A was his second choice after culinary school.

"Yes, they emailed me this afternoon. I'm going to culinary school in New York in the fall," he announced excitedly as we all started cheering for him.

"Congratulations Zeke," I told him, as he couldn't stop smiling.

"Thank you, guys, it means a lot to me. Now come on, let's celebrate because we have achieved some great things this semester, and we all graduated," he said raising his cup.

"He's right, cheers guys!" Chad called out as we all raised our glasses into the air.

Troy's POV

Throughout the night we never ceased our celebration, henceforward, neither of us went to sleep. "Look at the sky," Gabriella mentioned as she was resting her head on my shoulder. "It's beautiful," I croaked as I felt myself losing my voice from all the talking. "Wait, what time is it?" I questioned, realized I had not paid any attention to the time.

"Four fifteen," Gabriella answered looking at her phone. "You need to leave, don't you?" she questioned sadly looking up at me.

"Yeah," I murmured pushing myself off the ground. "Sorry to kill the mood, but I have to leave," I announced looking at my group of friends.

"It's really that late?" Chad questioned puzzled standing up, before walking towards me.

"I'm afraid it is," I confirmed looking at them all. "Thank you, everyone, for the past year, it's been…" I realized I couldn't find the words I was looking for, as I watched my friends smile at me. It seemed like no words were able to describe the experience I've had, the memories I made, and most importantly the friends I've made along the way.

"It's been incredible and memorable. Thank you everyone for making it so special for me."

"We're going to miss you, Troy, don't be a stranger," Chad stated before stepping forwards, giving me a hug.

"I promise I will Chad, and hey, if you ever find yourself in Etrea, know you'll have a place to stay. That goes to all of you," I told them as Chad grinned at the thought.

"Thanks, hoops, I'll remember that and it might become useful one day," he stated slinging an arm around my shoulder.

"Hang on Chad, you do realize that if you go there, you'll be under Troy's rule?" Zeke pointed out as I had to laugh.

"I'll take my chances."

"Take care Troy, and I hope this is only a see you later," Taylor told me wisely as I smiled, "I truly think it is."

"Are you staying Gabriella?" I heard Taylor question her as I noticed she was packing up her things.

"No, I'm going home," Gabriella started walking over, taking my hand into her, "It feels weird saying goodbye now when we don't know when we'll see each other again. Besides I only live down the street."

"I understand. I'll call you later all right?" she stated as Gabriella nodded, while I said my final goodbyes.

"I hope we see each other sooner rather than later and thank you all for everything. For making this one of the best years of my life," I told them all sincerely, as I was genuinely sad, I was leaving so abruptly. I knew it was all coming to an end eventually, but I had always felt like it was so long away.

Until this moment.

"Don't be a stranger Troy!" Chad called out before giving me one last wave, as Gabriella and I started walking on the path, down from the mountain.

"So, how are you going to be back in time? It's going to take us too long to walk back," Gabriella questioned worriedly as she looked down at her watch.

"Well, sometimes having a bodyguard has its benefits," I told her with a smile, taking out my phone. Sending a text to Ted, he was quick to reply that he would be there in about ten minutes.

"Ted's going to pick us up," I confirmed before putting my phone back into my pocket.

Our walk down the mountains took longer than I anticipated. I was feeling worse and worse as we walked down. Why did I think it was a good idea, to begin with?

"Are you okay Troy?" Gabriella questioned concerned as she had stopped to wait on me.

"I've been better," I confessed, but I suddenly had to stop. As I started coughing, I noticed Gabriella watching me with great concern.

"Oh Wildcat, you sure you're going to be all right?"

"Yeah, I just need a minute."

Slowly but surely, we made our way down the path and towards the parking lot where I had texted Ted to meet us. Immediately recognizing one of the cars parked at the side I lead Gabriella towards it before we both got it.

"I was starting to wonder when I would get the text," Ted chuckled as I shook my head.

"Sometimes the disadvantages have its benefits," I stated as Ted scoffed humorously, "I'll remember that," he said with a grin.

"Also, I might have forgotten time a little…"

"Now that sounds oddly familiar."

"Why doesn't that surprise me," Gabriella stated as the two of them laughed.

Soon enough Ted stopped the car outside the house and looking out the window I was surprised with the amount of security everywhere. Opening the car door, I stepped out offering a hand to Gabriella.

"Thanks," she smiled accepting my hand, stepping out of the car. Her eyes glanced towards the security walking around before her gaze turned back towards me.

"Don't worry about them," I told her softly, quickly glancing towards the house where I saw both mom and dad inside.

"Is this really goodbye for now?" Gabriella questioned, her eyes getting watery. I nodded sadly, taking her hands into mine.

"It will always be a see you later, despite not knowing when," I told her philosophically as a small smile graced her features, despite the tears starting to fall down her cheeks.

"I'll miss you Wildcat, promise to keep in touch?" she whispered through her tears as I frowned.

"Of course, Brie. Call me if you want to talk, night or day, okay? I'm only a phone call away."

"I love you Wildcat," she told me leaning forward, into a kiss, but I took a step back. She looked up at me, hurt. "I don't want to get you sick," I whispered but she shook her head.

"I don't care," she told me quite firmly before she took a step forwards our lips meeting in a soft kiss.

As we broke our kiss, I smiled looking down at her. "Come visit me one day," I stated as it brought a smile to her face. "I'd like that."

"Troy?" mom questioned walking towards us. "Hello Gabriella," she smiled warmly at her as she saw us. "Troy, are you all packed?"

"Yes," I whispered as her eyes softened. "Oh dear, it sounds like you've gotten worse," mom said as I smiled sheepishly, nodding. "I hope we get to see you sooner rather than later Gabriella," mom told her turning to look at her.

"I hope so too Lucille."

"Remember my offer still stands whenever you find yourself in Etrea or nearby," she told her sincerely and moved over to give her a hug.

"Thank you, Lucille, I really appreciate it," Gabriella told her as mom released her. I looked over at dad as he had come outside, holding an envelope that I had seen laying in the kitchen yesterday.

"Alexander and I wanted to give you this," he told her before handing over the envelope. Only now I noticed it had Gabriella's name written at the front in dads handwriting. I noticed she quickly glanced at the envelope before looking at dad as she accepted it.

"Good luck and I hope we'll see you around," he smiled at her, but to me, it sounded more like a confession or even a hope.

"Thank you, Jack. Have a safe flight," she wished them before mom and dad stepped away, walking towards the line of cars.

"This is it," I muttered as Gabriella nodded stepping forward, wrapping her arms around me. "I love you Troy and have a safe trip home."

"Thank you, and I love you too," I muttered as she gently brushed away a small tear that had fallen down my cheek.

Sharing one last kiss I stepped away, towards the open car door.

I gave her a last wave before I entered the car and we drove away.

I tried resting my head against the window as we drove through Albuquerque, but I couldn't seem to relax. I knew Gabriella was now at home and the rest of my friends were up in the mountain camping. Looking outside the window on our way, I could have sworn I saw a small fire in the far distance and it brought a smile to my face.

I must have dozed off because when I open my eyes, I was faced with the lights coming from the aircraft. Mom and dad already waiting on the tarmac.

Stepping outside, hearing the rumble of the engines, it dawned on me

This was it.

My exchange year was officially over.

"ID?" a security officer questioned as I walked over towards my parents.

Looking at mom she handed him two passports and I assumed one of them were mine. He flipped them open looking at them before closing them nodding.

"Thank you, have a good flight," he said handing them back to mom. I walked towards the stairs reaching for the railing before making my way up the metal staircase. Entering the airplane, I took a seat in the couch almost at the back. Mom followed behind me taking a seat beside my dad at the table on the other side.

Reaching into my pocket I found my phone turning it off, as the captain gave his welcome speech. Fastening my seatbelt, I looked outside the window as the aircraft started making its way towards the runway.

The engines came to life as we hurdled down the runway, leaving the ground, flying into the sky. Exhaustion hit me as I had been up for almost a day. As soon as the seatbelt sign was turned off, I loosened it a little before kicking off my shoes laying down on the couch, drifting off to sleep.

A tight feeling settled inside my chest as I abruptly woke up in a coughing fit. "You all right Troy?" mom questioned as she rose from her seat.

Dad, I couldn't see.

"Try and sit up love," mom coaxed, helping me into a sitting position, and eventually the coughing fit stopped. "You sure you're feeling all right?" mom questioned me again as I shook my head.

"No," I managed to croak out. "How long was I asleep for?" I questioned as she looked down at her watch. "About an hour. Let me get you something to drink all right?" mom told me before she rose from the couch walking down the hallway.

Glancing out the window, I looked at the sky where the sun had started rising, making the sky glow in the various colours.

Hearing moms' footsteps coming down the hallway, I looked at her carrying a blanket and a cup.

"Here drink this," she told me handing me the steaming cup. Accepting the cup, I wrapped my hands around it as mom wrapped the blanket around me. Taking a few sips of the hot tea, I felt it soothe my sore throat almost immediately.

"I am sorry we had to leave so abruptly. Did you get a chance to say farewell to everyone and give Gabriella her gift?"

"I did," I nodded looking at her, "but Gabriella doesn't know. I gave it to Maria, wanting it to be a surprise."

"I think she is going to like it," mom smiled as I nodded.

"I hope so."

Gabriella's POV

I hadn't even looked at the letter.

I was too tired…

Too sad about him leaving…

I took the envelope with me up to my room placing it on my desk. Taking off all the layers of clothing, I left it in a pile before stepping into the shower washing away the smell of the campfire. Stepping out of the shower a few minutes later I dried off the best I could before grabbing a towel for my wet hair. Placing the dry towel on my pillow I crawled under the covers soon falling into a restless sleep.

Waking up to the light coming through the French doors, I turned around glancing at my alarm clock, the numbers 7:25 flashed back at me. With a sigh, I pushed the covers off me sitting up. Glancing at my desk I saw the envelope there.

Still feeling like crap, curiosity got the best of me.

I couldn't wait anymore.

Putting my feet down on the wooden floor, I walked to my desk picking up the envelope before sitting down on my bed.

Looking at the white envelope it was addressed to me with my full name and address written in beautiful penmanship. Turning it around, the golden detail immediately caught my attention. Studying the golden wax stamp, I saw the Etrean royal crest pressed down in the middle.

Carefully peeling open the wax stamp my hands trembling ever so slightly. Opening the envelope, the first thing that caught my eye was the small note written in the same beautiful penmanship as the front.

I hope we see you next year - Alexander Bolton and Jack Bolton

Frowning I placed the note beside me reaching for the next piece of paper. Giving a quick glance at the letter I pulled out, it was a rather formal one. In the top right corner was the crest of Royal College of Etrea.

Dear miss Montez. May 31st 2008

Let me be the first to congratulate you on your outstanding achievements. It is with great pleasure that I, on the behalf of the board of admissions, offer you admission to Royal College of Etrea, Class of 2012.

Your remarkable application and accomplishments convinced us that you have the intellectual energy, motivation, and talent to flourish at Royal College of Etrea. Among the 2,000 international applications we read, your distinguished record of academic excellence and personal achievements stood out. We are thrilled to welcome you as a part of our international student group and look forward to the unique and extraordinary contributions we know you will make to the intellectual and extracurricular life of our campus.

The next step is now yours to make as RCE is probably one of several options you will consider in these times. We hope you will use the time to learn more about us and if you wish, we invite future students to participate in consecration weekend 2008. This is a long tradition at RCE where future students participate in a four-day program that will introduce you to your future classmate, professors, friends, and the vibrant and dynamic campus life that represent Royal College of Etrea. Information about the event is enclosed in the admissions information folder. Whatever decision you make; we kindly ask you to complete the enclosed enrolment response card and either mail it to us by post or electronically by June 20th. Should you decide to enroll at Royal College of Etrea – and we sincerely hope you do – we will send final enrolment information to you by e-mail no later than the 1st of July

Once again, I extend my congratulations on your admission to Royal College of Etrea and we welcome you to Etrea and to the RCE family.

Sincerely,

Yamakawa Dixon
Director of Admission

I had to re-read the letter once more. Was this really true?

I had been accepted!

I have actually been accepted to attend school in Etrea!

As many of you guessed Gabriella was accepted to college in Etrea which will be a whole new, and interesting, chapter of her life. I'm excited for you guys to continue the journey with this couple, and despite the name of the chapter, it is most definitely not the end of this story!

Again thank you everyone for the support of this story, you have no idea how much it means to me! Sending my thoughts to the people of Ukraine in these times, stay safe everyone!

-FreeFlyingWriter