WHAT DID TODAY feel like? Well... it felt like a dark, ominous cloud was engulfing me.

Everybody was quiet through breakfast. It just made it even more difficult. As if a voice might end up breaking us all. Maybe it would. Because just the tick of the clock made my throat swell up with emotion.

I could feel Evangeline and Evan glance up at us every now and then trying to say something. Even my mother was getting tense.

Cole, however, was too busy burying his nose in a newspaper to notice the mood around us.

I cut my French toasts into a millionth piece. I was nowhere near hungry. In an hour I had to be at the airport.

Owen, Jordan, Sersha and I were leaving in the morning while the rest of the gang had their flights scattered towards the night.

The flight difference between the four of us was hardly thirty minutes. I was going first, sadly.

Just today we found out that Jordan had decided to delay his acceptance in university by a year. He decided he wanted to travel the world and hand on to the dream of being young for a little while longer.

I wish I could have chosen the same thought because Aaron and I did have plans to travel. They were shattered dreams now as Harvard had asked me to come early or they would transfer my enrolment.

We've met partying for a week and now it was time to go. I was going to move to Cambridge and bunking with a roommate since living alone was not my ideal choice now.

I brought the glass filled with fresh orange to my lips and sipped on it lightly. I heard the clink of cutlery to the plate and glanced to the right to see it was none other then our newest instalment. Mr. Noah Kingsley.

He was such a cute boy it ached. I was going to miss him so very much.

"Noah." Louis playfully scolded him as he tossed a piece of strawberry onto Catherine's plate. The latter looked irritated by his gesture. "Sorry."

Catherine did not bother answering. She went back to spooning her oats.

"Okay stop." My grandma announced looking at us all frustratedly. "Put you cutleries down. All of you." I lazily let it fall on my plate and cupped my jaw in my palm as I stared at her. "You guys you are going to university! That's huge! You should be excited. It's a completely different experience and it is wonderful. I had my firsts in university. Like the time Dylan Brown and I-"

"Julia!" My mother cut her off with warning eyes.

We all chuckled lowly as my grandma waved her off. "All right fine. But you know what I mean. This extraordinary chapter is supposed to be exciting. Fulfilling. You can't experience could things we those sullen moods." She gestured around at us. I bit my lip and rubbed the corner of my eye. "I know you all will miss each other but dear god. I'm older then all of you and I know what good FaceTime could do. You all are just one flippin' phone call away. And you guys have holidays. You can meet using these spectacular little vehicles call cars. They come in electric too. Tesla would know." I chuckled feeling some of my tension slide off me like snow of mountains.

My eyes cut to Aaron who still seemed a little down. Honestly we both fell dull. "And after you guys are done with Uni you can meet each other. Who the hells says you won't have breaks? Live your life kids. Have fun and work hard. I know there's an entrepreneur in all of you. A lot of talented souls. So stop sulking and start planning. You guys are going to be just fine."

"On the note of fine-" Evangeline cut off as the maid whispered in her ear. "The driver is here. It's time." I pouted and my mother gave me a sad smile. I went to my room and dragged my suitcases down.

Jenna and Henry had gifted us all some spice kits for university. My mother had given us all instalments for electricity plans and kitchen utensils while Evangeline had permitted us all with drivers.

Miranda was sweet enough to give us gift cards too.

I was mostly worried about Jordan. Jenna and Henry had finally settled themselves. They were divorced. I think that is why he is making a last minute plan to go to Greece rather then go to university.

But sometimes a change in scenery does help a lot more. Charlize and him would get through this.

The driver helped hurl my bags to the trunk along with everyone else's. After kissing our parents goodbye and hugging them all we all went into the car.

Catherine and Louis tapped the window and I pressed it down. "Call us sometime and be safe . We are going to miss you so much." I hugged them both leaning my body out the window. They held me tightly and pulled back with tears and splotchy cheeks.

"Bye Noah, Miles." I waved at the two of them. Miles held Noah's fist and waved it at us. I nearly sobbed at the sight.

My mother, Jake and grandma came again and hugged me. I got out the car and embraced them all. A whimper escaped my mouth as my mother rubbed my back. "Have lots and lots of fun and study well." My mother told me kissing my head.

I nodded and wiped my eyes as grandma hugged me. "Be a Weston. Go make chaos." I laughed and hugged Jake. Evangeline waited for me patiently too. I hugged her tightly and relaxed in her signature bear hug.

"Visit me, please. I need to get to know my future daughter-in-law." I laughed as she kissed both of my cheeks.

Evan came to me and cradled my figure as I hugged him. "Great things are going to come. And don't worry. I know my brother and he is never going to love on from you." I looked over his shoulder as Aaron who was being hugged by my mother. He stared at me blankly before I pulled away from Evan.

"I won't ever, too." I sniffed and waved bye to everyone as I resettled in the car. I looked at all my friends to see them have watery eyes too.

God. This hurts more then it should.

"All ready?" The driver called.

"Yeah." Aaron nodded looking back at us form the passenger seat for confirmation. "Any last minute checks?"

"No. I have everything." Sersha whispered as Reuben took her hand. Aaron nodded and told the driver to take us to the airport.

We all stayed in silent with nothing but the heavy whooshing of the cars out. The sun was dim today too why I could feel it's heat hit my face like a warm goodbye kiss.

I brushed against Owen and reached for my water bottle. Olivia passed it to me silently and I drank the water. It was awkward as now the sound of water being swallowed was echoing through the car.

"Can you pass me mine too?" Emery whispered from the third row seat. I took her blue one out and passed it to her. I caught Jordan having his temple rested at the small mirror with Emery staring at him.

I guess I was not only one with the decision.

My finger brushed along the star engraved ring on my pointer and I swallowed the emotions threatening to build up. I do not know what to with them. They keep squeezing me and ripping my heart in the most tantalising way.

I feel so... lost. Back where I started. I feel like I grew up with these people all my life. I have met soo many exceptional people it really does not make sense to me that I am leaving them.

Aaron and I- We were two damaged souls who fell in love at a school meant for fucked up rich kids. And now we've got each other. Now we've got a family.

How could I let this go?

Deep down in the echoes of my heartbeat I know I will rejuvenate our time again. We will meet again. Even if it means I have to kidnap each of them and smuggle them into my suitcase abroad.

I look out the window and see the first spec of the glittery airport. It was shining like a high mount on top of a flat land. It was almost mocking.

Every second seems to go so fast. I do not remember coming to the city to be so fast. Going out the city though... that is fast. I am going to miss everything.

But I am also weirdly excited. To start again. Go to Harvard and see the world through that lens. Meet people and study interior designing. I want to do architect as well and I have finalised to take interior architecture.

It took soo long to coin that dream that I can no longer not see it. I am always fascinated by building and decorations so this will be like clicking a jigsaw to a larger puzzle. Another piece to complete myself.

My roommate's name is Reine. She is French and she seems to be nice. She sent me a foreword letter personally telling me how ecstatic she was to meet me. I could already tell we would clinch together like two wine glasses.

But nothing comes close to the sparrows. These people are just so incredible. They are tainted to my heart permanently. All of them.

Our car slowed down along the curb and the driver yelled for a trolley man to escort some to us. I got out helping Sersha with her bags whilst Aaron took mine down and plopped in on a trolley. I made to move for it but he jerked it, driving it to the entrance.

I thanked the driver and walked inside the airport. Suddenly it all felt really cold and slow. I hugged my Aaron's sweater closer to me. I had stolen it since my journey would take hours and this was as comfortable as it got.

I could hear my friends roll their own trolley as we stopped at the side. This was as far as some of us could go. The rest of us would have to proceed to get our bags scanned and then go onto check in.

As soon as the tires stopped Sersha burst into tears throwing her body onto mine. I cried into her shoulder and held her small body to mine. "You are going to ruin my makeup." I sniffed as she chuckled.

"I don't want to leave you. Is it too late to transfer?" She asked choking on her cries. I pouted it her and embraced her again. "I'm going to miss you soo much. I have you on speed dial so be warned that I am going to call you every night."

"Aw bitch call me all the time. I'll pick up my phone in the shower too." I told her as we wiped our tears. "This is so unfair. We really need more time."

"I know right." She exclaimed before turning to her carry on. She took out a parcel and handed it to me. I looked down confused. "For when you are homesick. I gave everyone too." I opened it and whimpered.

It was a painting of all of us. All eight of us were painted there laughing with party hats and confetti. "I love this soo fucking much. Sersha." I whined and grilled her in another hug. "You are so men's you know."

"The rudest." She laughed and pulled back. "I love you."

"I love you too." I turn to Reuben who has silvery eyes too. He ruffled my hair as I laughed through tears. "What am I going to do without my personal poet and therapist?"

He hugged my waist and let out a shaky breath. "You are going to call me. All the damn time. If you don't I'm going to spam you with inspirational quotes."

"I'm counting on it." I whispered kissing his cheek. "I love you, Reuben."

"I love you too, Bryce. You fucked all our lives for the better. I wish you had come sooner to heal this sad lot." I smiled at him as he rubbed my shoulder. We all needed more time. More time to be able to hold more memories.

"I know." I mumbled and hold up sleeve. On our wrist each of us had tattooed a small sparrow. It was spontaneous and one of our midnight shenanigans but it was so worth it.

He grinned and looked at Sersha. "I'm going to hold her before she melts." I laugh and wave him off. My eyes turned to Emery who stood there awkwardly unsure whether to purse me.

I did not care so i clamped my arms around her and breathed in her flowery smell. She hugged me just the same.

"I am so sorry for being such a bitch to you all these months. You really are amazing Bryce." She mumbled against my hair.

"I'm sorry for punching you." I confessed as she laughed. "I'm going to miss you Em."

"I'm going to miss you too." She says as we pull back. I watch her eyes trace to Jordan who looked depressed. He matched my gaze and yanked me into his arms. I was lifted into the air as he held me.

"I swear every time we have fun we end up leaving." He sadly sighs.

"We will meet again, Jordie. You aren't getting rid of this virus so easily." I joke wiping my eyes with the corner of my sleeve. He wipes his nose and nods.

"Damn you. You are one fucking addicting virus." Jordan chuckles flicking my nose. I step on his toe and give him a final squeeze before turning to Olivia.

She jumped on my figure practically clinging on to me. "Oh, I hate goodbyes."

"Me too." I lowly say. "It hurts like a fucking bitch."

"Worst pain." She agreed pulling back and running a hand through her blonde hair. "Zoom meeting in two days at time convenience?"

"Done." I tell her and watch Owen look around glumly. My heart squeezes for him. "I'm going to go say bye to him."

"Stay safe, Bry." Olivia mumbled as I walked to Owen who was sobbing silently. I touched his shoulders and looked under his hand that was hiding his face.

"Oh Owen." I breathe and remove his hands. "Don't cry like that. Please. It hurts."

He nodded using the hem of his shirt to wipe his tears. "You guys are my family, dude. I can't not be with you. It's like losing a huge organ or shit. All of us are flying off."

I rub his back as he leans his body against me. "I know Owen. I know. But I'll meet with you guys again. Family stick together, right?"

"Yeah. We stick together." He muttered hugging me side ways. I close my eyes dreading the worst wave of pain that was about to come.

As those cold blue eyes connect with mine I am full on sobbing like a baby. I move to him and hug him fiercely. Aaron cradles my head against his chest as I cry into his sweater. He was wearing the same outfit. A white collar shirt with a black sweater over with rings. Got those rings.

I am going to miss all six foot three of himself. His shed muscles, his soft smiles, his beautiful eyes and his dirty jokes. Everything about him. I am going to miss the way he smells like vanilla, mint and something peppery.

"West." His voice cracks as I look up at him resting my chin on his chest. His head was bowed so he could look at me as he held my face while my arms were clenched around him. "My heart is fucking breaking right now."

He thumbs wipes my tears but his own are flooding his eyes. "Mine too, Aaron." I snivel as he runs his hands through my hair. "I don't want to leave you. I can't."

"I know." He kisses my head, his lips linger there as if he is savouring the moment. We both are. "I know, baby, but- but you need to. This is your fucking dream. And I am so proud of how far you have come. I mean that in every sense."

I blink my tears and stare up at his eyes as a tear trails down his cheekbone. "I'm so proud of you too, Aaron. You own every fucking part of me."

I sob harder into him and he grips me tighter. Two children clinging on because they are too scared to let of one and other. Too fragile without the other.

But this is also the reason we had to part. To be stronger on our own way. To be able to hold our own grounds and own our own lives.

"This hurts." He whispers and leans his lips to mine. He brushes them softly before I pull him down by his neck and crash our lips together. This is not one of our hotter make out sessions. This is sloppy and slow and excruciating. Our pain is parted through only us. Known to only our own hearts and souls.

"You are going to be one heck of a business man." I sigh against his lips as he kisses me.

"And you are going to be an amazing designer." He mumbled against my own lips as he gently bites my lip. We pull back with the buzz of each other's mouths against our own. I am pretty sure mine are pink now.

Aaron trails his hands up and down my waist. "Call me once you reach Cambridge, okay?"

"I promise. When's your flight?"

"8 pm." He solemnly says. "Still have six hours to go." I knew the thought of going back home and finding it empty would hurt. I imagine my own soul would shatter once I step into a new land with different people.

Aaron was my home. That was the most beautiful problem I could think of. I just cannot get used to living with anyone else because he is my standard and my heart. Without him I am cold.

We stare into each other's eyes for a little while longer unable to let time go on. But it has too.

Sersha silently nods her head to me towards the gate. I kiss Aaron one last time and make sure this moment counts.

I pull away half-heartedly and move to my trolley. My hands wrap around the plastic handle bar as I push it down and move. Jordan and Owen stood at the doors with their passports. I take my own out of my carryon and move towards the door with Sersha. We make it to each other and glance back one last time with tears.

I wave by to everyone and mouth I love you to Aaron. He does the same thing wiping his eyes and smiling at me with encouragement.

I sweep my eyes one last time over all my friends while the guard checks my passport before I push through the doors. I hear them slide behind me and my insides are rattling with sorrow. But as I breathe in excitement starts to lull at me. I was going to follow my dreams.

That was a blessing.

I look at my three friends and they exchange smiles with me. We all knew we had to do this. So there was no pointing in pining anymore. If we took this step we might as well make the next count.

Owen was right. Though us sparrows are family today we were all flying away to our own places. But like sparrows we will migrate back home again.

To each other.

...

A/N:

WE DID IT! I am so damn proud of myself right now. It feels so bittersweet and strange to end this though :(

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Up next: Epilogue x