Conner was back in New York, not permanently, but only came back to pick up his stuff. He gave his notice to his roommates, other than Blue, no one was happy to lose the extra income Conner brought to the rent. But they told Conner they understood, they were interviewing potential new roommates. NYU students were desperate to find cheap housing.
Conner was going to rent a room from a old classmate, he was in the Army, and reenlisted for a second term. Conner wished him luck, he almost enlisted after high school. Alanna was the one that talked him out of it. Conner always wondered what if? Tia told Conner the same thing. She dropped out of the Peace Corps, the thought of being away from her family didn't appeal to her. She didn't regret her decision, otherwise she wouldn't have Angela. But always wondered what her life would be like. Her siblings though, Jesse and Miguel did join the Peace Corps, unlike Tia, they loved their jobs. Tia's mom told Tia that her drive drove them to have good lives, both were happy.
Angela, Conner's little angel. He was his goddaughter, he swore to always protect her. Her nightmares finally stopped, with Conner's increased presence, she slept soundly all night. She was even making friends. The night before he left, Angela cried.
"You promised to stay." She loved Conner, he stopped the bad dreams. Part of it was because he sang to her every night.
"Just for awhile. I promise to be back."
"Promise?"
"Pinky swear." He linked his finger to Angela's. Tia was smiling, she was getting worried about her daughter. Conner's presence was saving Angela. After Angela went to her room, him and Tia had a long talk.
"Conner, you don't have to uproot your life. Angela and I will be okay." She was relieved, Angela was laughing again. She even made a new friend. She didn't want to admit it, she was hoping Conner would stay, she realized she was catching feelings for her best friend.
"Until Angela is 100%, I'm coming home." New York was okay, but he missed California. "New York is too cold for me." He still couldn't figure out what he wanted to do. He did everything, but none filled the hole in his heart. Here, Angela filled it. He and Tia looked at each other's eyes. They didn't kiss, but Conner realized how right it felt in Tia's apartment. Tia, Angela. He hated to be away. Instead, he turned away. "I gotta see my mom, then I'm gonna look for a new job. Tia, I promise to be back."
Now at the airport, he knew what he wanted. He was so stupid not to see it before. But if he wanted to be with Tia, he needed to be perfect. Luckily, he had a job interview. SVH was looking for a music/drama teacher.