2brown-eyes rocks!
Goodbye—Air Supply
"You pack everything you need?" Mom asks as I lug my final suitcase down the stairs. "I'd never be able to cram my life into three bags."
I huff a laugh. "One of them is just my accessories."
"I'm going to Western Union you some cash from my next paycheck, and I want you to buy some new clothes."
"That's not necessary…"
"I insist," she says firmly. "There's bound to be unexpected weather or parties or whatever that you didn't anticipate, and I'm your mom so it's on me to help with that stuff."
"I do have a job lined up," I remind her.
"Part-time and no more." She points a serious finger.
It's hard to admit it without feeling a load of guilt, but Charlie planned for this. He always knew there was a chance he wouldn't be here when college time came, so he made sure whatever path I wanted was taken care of. I don't have to work, but I will because hard work builds strong character.
"I promise, Mom."
"Oh, honey." She rushes across the room and into my already open arms. The hug is long and squishy, and it's hard to let go, but she does it like only Renee Swan can. "Now get out of here, so I can start turning your room into a gym."
"Always make sure you have a spotter," I joke just as Alice comes through the front door. "I love you."
"Love you, sweetie."
Alice grabs my largest suitcase, leaving me the other two, and I give Renee one more smile as I walk out the door. I never imagined it'd be so hard, but it damn hurts. I'm going to miss her like crazy, and it'll be Christmas break before I get to come home again.
Fully funded doesn't mean reckless spending.
Alice shoves my largest case into the trunk of her car, followed by the two I'm carrying. "It's going to be lonely in Seattle without you," she says, pushing the lid closed and turning to me. "I can't believe you ditched me for six feet of hotness, but I guess I'd be doing the same, so you get the BFF pass."
"I can't believe it, either," I say, my eyes burning.
This will be the longest we've ever been apart, since that fateful day when we were four. Sure, we'd played together many times before then, but that day, we became besties. Angela pushed Alice down at the park, so as payback, I tricked that skank into going down the slide first. It burned her butt and legs, and she raced off crying to Mrs. Weber.
"Maybe you and Jasper can visit us sometime?" I'm hopeful, Tanya and Bob can surely afford it.
She shrugs. "We didn't spend all of our backpacking budget."
"Oh my god." I practically tackle her, my excitement nearly overwhelming. "Thanksgiving?"
"You know how Tanya can be," she replies, laughing at her own use of her mom's given name. "But I think she'd probably go for it."
"Can't wait." I sigh, stalling. "I'm afraid to get into the car."
"I know," she says, blinking back tears. "It's really real when we start the journey."
"And if you don't, Bella will miss her flight," Rose says, appearing from nowhere. "I thought you two might ruin this, so I decided to come push you out the door." She looks from me to Alice. "Both of you."
It's like words aren't needed anymore. We both rush her, and she's ready, arms open. We take two minutes to hug and laugh and promise to keep in touch before separating.
Rose stands a little straighter, putting on her big sister attitude as she opens the passenger door of the Mustang. "I hate to see ya go, but my girls have shit to do and fab lives to live."
"Take care of Emmett," I say as I duck inside.
She bobs her head.
Then looks to Alice.
I pull my door closed to give them a moment to themselves. I always thought this would be the summer where everything changed, decisions made and plans falling into place. But I never quite imagined it would turn out like this.
If you'd asked me three months ago where broken hearts go?
I'd have told you I didn't know.
But now I do.
They find their way back home just like Whitney always said.
Whahhahahahahaha!
Everything beyond this is the epilogue.
I love these guys, and if you think I ruined them with angst, sorry! Hardly ever does 14 and 16 live happily ever after (nor 18 and 20), so I wanted them to work for it.
Dropping teasers to my Christmas drabble on my new FB profile .
APictureIsWorthAThousandWords posted their Masquerade Edition entries today, so you should check them out, and vote!
See ya tmr :)
