I'm on my way to make breakfast when I decide to check on Jake again. After what happened last night, I'm pretty sure that he'll have a hangover once he wakes up. The morning sun has risen, casting its ray upon his face. He's still sleeping.

I climb on the bed and sit beside him, staring at him, crossing my arms on my chest. Then his eyelids flicker, and a few moments later, he opens his eyes.

He abruptly sits up and backs off, his back smacking the headboard. "You're scaring me," he barks. I must have looked like a ghost.

"Spill it." I glower at him.

"What?" he rasps, squinting his eyes before squeezing them shut. He curses. His head must be spinning.

"Last night," I say. "What was that all about?"

He groans, touching his head. "Shit. I was knocked out, wasn't I?"

"Uh-huh."

"I got carried away."

"For what?" I ask. "What celebration?" I go straight to the point.

He laughs, closing his eyes, looking like he doesn't even believe that it's happening. "My internship."

My eyes widen. "You got it?" I remember Jake telling me that he applied to some oil companies for his internship. I just don't know which one of them he got into.

Jake opens his eyes, and a wide grin creeps on his face. "Yes. And it's even more unexpected than I thought."

I raise my brows.

"I got the one in Texas," he says.

My jaw drops. The oil company in Texas he applied to is one of the three major players in the country. "That's sick," I exclaim.

He nods, happiness skating all over his face.

"Oh, Jake, I'm so happy for you," I squeal, hugging him. "This is amazing. I can't believe it." Getting into that company as an intern may broaden the chance for him to be recruited once he graduates, but even if it doesn't guarantee that, he'll get so much knowledge and experience. And he deserves it, after all of his hard work. I'm so proud of him.

But then sadness washes over me. That means he'll leave Boston, and I'm going to feel so lonely here.

When he notices the sudden change of my mood, his brows furrow. "What's wrong, Mels?"

"I'm so happy for you, but it sucks that I'm going to be stuck here without you." I sulk.

"Hey, look at me," he says softly, and I look up at him, startling him as he sees me tearing up. I hate it when I'm being a crybaby in front of him, but he just has this aura that allows me to be vulnerable when I'm with him. "No, no, no. It's not gonna suck. You're finally here, Mel. You got into the college of your dream," he says, his palms on my shoulders as an attempt to comfort me.

"It's just..." I sniffle. "Everything is happening so great in here, and I just can't imagine what it feels when you're gone." I swallow. "But I'm so happy for you, Jake. Anybody would want that internship. And you really deserve it. I believe you're going to do great in there, and when you come back, you will have something anybody else can't have."

He chuckles. "So, you're going to let me go? You're not going to beg me not to leave?" he jokes, a playful smirk on his face.

"I'm going to kill you if you don't take that internship." I glare at him, and he bursts into laughter.

"It's just for six months, Mel," he assures, and it does ease my worries. While I'm going to have to adjust to the new environment here within those six months, he'll be back here again to finish the rest of his semester and then his final year. It will happen before I even know it.

I perk up, a smile touching my lips as I stare at him. "When will it start?"

"Next Monday," he says, shocking me.

"That soon?" I shout.

He looks guilty. "I thought it wouldn't start until three months from now, just like the others. But then the company urged the head of our department to make an exception because they need more people in this project as soon as possible."

I'm lack for words. " I see," I pout.

"Come on," he laughs, trying to cheer me up.

I roll my eyes and breathe a long sigh. "Don't worry. I'll survive without you," I deadpan.

"You will," he says. "Look, I may not be around if you need me. But you can always count on Vaughn. He's my best friend, and he's one hell of a dependable guy."

I gawk at him. Then the penny drops.

"I know I won't have to worry about leaving Melanie to you."

So, that's what it meant when he said those words to Vaughn. Because Jake is leaving the town. It doesn't mean anything else.

But then it made me feel so damn awkward the last time I was with Vaughn.

"I don't need any bodyguard," I say, annoyed.

"Oh that's what you think, my dear little sister," he says in a firm tone. "Do you think I will just go, leaving you here alone like a lost puppy?"

"I'm not a lost puppy." I scowl.

He laughs at my reaction to his joke. "Seriously, Mel. Vaughn is not your bodyguard whom I assign to watch your every move. That's creepy. Let's just think of him as someone I entrust you with when I'm not around, and one guy I would call in case of emergency. Does that make more sense to you?"

I have no choice but to raise my white flag here. I understand what Jake feels. "Okay," I whisper.

"Good girl." He ruffles my hair, making it messy. "So, what should I do with you now?"

I raise my brow at him.

"How about some ice cream?" He smirks, and I clasp my hands in excitement.

This sounds like a brother trying to cheer up his five years old sister, but I can't say no to ice cream. Not ever.

"And then, perhaps, we can stroll around the town and grab some hot dogs?" he adds.

"You're a monster," I growl and giggle, knowing I won't be able to resist it. We're going to make the most of our time here until he leaves.

"I know a good bowling place too," he keeps going, and I laugh.

Time flies so fast. A few days have passed, and here I am, watching as Jake puts his suitcase into his car. Vaughn steps out from our house, helping Jake carry some more of his belongings. When they are done with all his bags, Jake shuts the bunk with a loud thud.

He faces me, spreading his arms wide at his sides, and I hug him.

No, no, I will not cry. I promised myself that I wouldn't.

"I'm gonna miss you," my voice cracks.

"Me too, Mels," Jake says. When we finally pull away, he smiles softly. "You be a good girl, okay?"

Usually, I would just roll my eyes. But now, I can only nod.

Vaughn steps closer, and Jake pats his shoulder. They exchange looks, and from the serious expression on Jake's face, I know that they are silently talking about me.

Vaughn scoffs. "Don't worry about it. Just go and kick ass there," he deadpans.

Jake nods, walks to the driver's seat and steps into his car. After buckling up, he opens the window. "I'll see you soon, then." He smiles, starting the engine.

I feel a lump in my throat as I watch the car pulling off. My eyes are glued to it until it is completely gone from my sight. A sigh escapes my lips when I finally turn around, and I find Vaughn still standing right behind me.

But this time, when his eyes find mine, I don't tear my gaze away. We both stare at each other, standing there in silence.