goodbye

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Enjoy!🀍

"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination." -Jimmy Dean

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Chapter 91
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|Two Months Later|

I chuckled as Ryland slammed his elbow down on my suitcase, again. His face was as red as a tomato, as this was his fourth time attempting it.

"Next time," he huffed with relief as it clicked shut. "You're getting a bigger suitcase, I'll make sure of it myself."

I laughed, picking it up by the handles, and placing it next to me. "I agree." I saw Ryland's expression soften not even a second later.

With a smile, he spread his arms for me. I embraced him with a heartfelt sigh. His arms tightened around me before I heard him say, "I'm going to miss kicking your ass in Call of Duty, kid."

I sniffled against him. "You wish." A tearful laugh fell from me as I pulled back. "But, I'm going to miss you, too."

We both turned at the knock of my door. Teresa and my father stood right on the threshold, both equally saddened, but doing their best to try and hide it.

I offered a smile, stepping toward them until we were together. Either one embraced me, and I returned it with the same love before I felt Ryland join from behind. I laughed as the three of them squeezed me.

Once the embrace became too tight, I pulled back. "I'm going to miss all of you, but please don't smother me before I have a chance to make it to the airport."

My dad released a raspy laugh, his hands falling from my arms before they lifted, softly padding my cheeks.

Pride blossomed in his eyes. "I'm so proud of you, Kimberly. We all are."

I smiled, leaning into his palm. When we pulled away, that same love remained in his expression. "Thank you, dad."

I reached for my suitcase, but he insisted on taking care of it himself. I didn't argue since this would be the last time I saw him in months. The very thought made the knots in my stomach twist with fear.

I said a quick goodbye to Pyper, even though she would be with me in a couple of weeks. Ryland agreed to watch after her for me until I was settled in, plus I didn't want to stress her out on the plane. I would miss her in the meantime, but she was in good hands until then.

"Now," Dad begun as we walked to the car. Ryland and Teresa followed close behind us. "Make sure you call me once you land, and as soon you get to your apartment. Ryland's been teaching me about video calls, so do one of those as soon as you're able. Andβ€”"

As soon as we were at the top of the driveway, I turned, grasping his hands in mine. "Dad, I know. I'm going to be fine, I swear. I promise I'll call you, and I promise to tell you about my class schedule and everything else. I'm going to be fine, okay?" I offered a smile of reassurance, though it did waver for a moment. I was more afraid than I let on, but the curiosity and excitement beat that.

His expression held the same amount of skepticism, but he nodded through it, kissing my cheek one last time. I thought I saw his eyes glint before he stepped away, and Teresa took his place.

I smiled at her. "Take care of them for me, will you?"

A laugh followed from her, glancing back to the both of them. "I swear I'll try my hardest."

I pulled her in for another hug, which she returned, immediately. I felt her hand fall to the back of my head as she said, "You're going to do great things, honey. College is one of the best times of your life, well...except for the exam weeks" We both chuckled at the same time, leaning back. Her eyes roamed over mine with care. "Promise me you'll have fun."

I shrugged off a sigh, nodding. "I promise I'll try."

"I'll take it," she returned with a small grin, squeezing my shoulder. "Bye, honey."

Ryland stepped up next, bright eyes squinted at me. "Are you sure I can't take you to the airport?"

I nodded, tucking the strands of my hair back. "Unless you wanna battle Raven to the death, then yes, I'm sure." A small chuckle followed from his side of the conversation before he motioned to me. "I expect at least two texts a week to confirm that you're alive."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "I might be a little too busy for that, but how about once a week?"

Rylands' eyes fell to the concrete as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'll take it." With a sigh, he met my eyes, his own swimming with a saddened pride. "Don't forget, though. I'll always be the big brother, and I can still put your ass in a headlock if I need to."

I rolled my eyes, a smile bouncing across my lips. "I wouldn't put my money on it."

"If you ever get homesick, or if it becomes too much," my dad started from behind us. "You knowβ€”"

I shook my head. "Don't worry about me too much," I reassured. "I'll tough it out."

This was set in stone, and I couldn't know what could fail if I didn't try it out first. The fear of leaving my life behind here remained, and probably always would, but I had to take the chance. I was running yes, but I was still doing it, regardless.

"We're here!" I heard the announcement from behind me.

I turned with a grin. Raven's cherry red BMW was in my view before she was. I nearly fell over as she ran into me, but I managed to find my footing quickly.

Her pretty eyes gleamed at me with pride as she latched onto my shoulders. "My college graduate," she said fondly.

I laughed, wrapping my fingers around her wrists to ease her tight grip. "I haven't actually graduated from there yet, Raven."

She shrugged, fully releasing me. "I know, I'm just predicting the future." Her gaze fell over my suitcases. "You ready?"

I turned back toward my family. Just a second glance, and my eyes were beginning to burn. They all smiled back at me, despite the specks of hesitation. The pride overpowered it though, only furthering my own.

With a heartfelt sigh, I turned back to Raven. "I'm ready."

The twins were waiting inside the car, as well. Jax took it upon himself to put my suitcases into the trunk, thank god. Once he finished, we all got inside.

While Raven reversed out of the driveway, I took the chance to let my window down, and waved my goodbyes to my family. My smile only grew as they returned it with the same effort. I didn't stop until they disappeared from my view.

"I can't believe you're really leaving," Raven sighed out, her chest trembling. Oh no. "I'm going to miss you."

Graduation was two weeks ago, and ever since then, Raven cried every single time she recalled my departure.

I decided to tell them after our spring-break trip, and it went as well as it could. Maggie drunk herself to death, Raven and Jax held each other while they cried, then drunk their sorrows away.

My family was just as confused and hurt, but there was nothing that any of them could do. They knew that, too. Instead, they let me know that I had their support, no matter my decision.

For the past three days, we all continued to go to Raven's. Since it would be our last get together for a while, we all toasted, ate, and did everything we could until we couldn't. Even though the consequences were treacherous the following morning, I enjoyed my time with them, and instead added the moments to the several warm memories we had.

"I'm actually going to miss you," Maggie expressed from the back with a saddened edge. "You and Raven were the sisters I never had."

I turned in my way when I heard her voice crack, my lips upturned in a grin. At my look, she wiped her eyes quickly, a scowl curling her lips.

"I know," Jax added, leaning up from his seat to kiss my cheek. His big hand fell to my shoulder. "You promise not to replace me?"

"Or, any of us?" Raven asked, cutting me a side glance that could be taken as a warning, as well.

With a laugh, I shook my head. "Never. I don't trust any of you to react like any other sane person would if I did."

"Damn straight," Maggie confirmed.

Raven took the turn her phone instructed, nibbling on her acrylic. Her brows lifted before her head did, too. "Oh, before I forgot. Levi said goodbye, too. I put his gift in my bag to make it a little bit easier on you to carry." My heart stilled in my chest, but I managed to return a shaky smile at that.

The reminder was there, but as I had for the past two months, I blocked it off.

Kade respected my wishes for the rest of senior year. He rarely showed up at school anymore, but when he did, he remained away from me. We only had one class together, and when he did show up to it, he would keep to himself, despite the feel of his stare in the back of my head for a majority of the period. Other times though, he would skip the class in its entirety.

From Levi's assist though, I knew that he was physically okay from the match. It was hard, but I managed to go off of that alone. Barely, but I did.

As for my feelings...they were just as ceaseless as they were from the moment I first fell in love with him.

Every time I heard his name, I stammered over the silenced questions. When I thought of him, or anything even barely pertaining to him, I asked myself why wasn't I doing it with him, why wasn't I in the story with him. It was an endless cycle of questioning my hurt, and questioning my feelings.

But, that was the thing. I wasn't entirely sure if I had forgiven him, or if I was still as angry. If I weren't angry, then I was afraid.

Either way, time went on. Every day slipped into the last, but I managed to pass the months without entirely losing my mind. The only thing that pushed me through it all, was the possibility of leaving. And, here I was.

I was leaving.

"Don't forget to send us your address," Jax reminded me.

"And, call us when you're in the Uber," Maggie added. "I'm not letting you get kidnapped."

I nodded with a laugh. "I will." I drew out a sigh around a smile. "I honestly have no idea how I'm going to fit all of you when you come to visit. We'll make it work, though. And, we'll match our schedules up somehow."

Raven nodded in agreement, nibbling on her nail. She only messed up her manicure for people she truly loved. "Hell yes. And, calls. We have to call every single week." Her murmurs continued on.

With an encouraging smile, I grasped her shaky hand as she began to ramble. "You're going to be okay," I consoled her. "You and Levi are going to go to the Bahamas for the summer, and then enjoy your gap year."

I turned to Jax and Maggie, nodding at them. "And, you two are going to drink your asses off, ace your classes, and then go and decorate your new apartment with whatever furniture your grandmother would have never allowed." We all released tearful laughs.

Raven and Levi decided that the two would take a gap year after graduation, then begin college. Jax and Maggie both planned on starting community college this year, and they had gotten their own apartment, as well.

Speaking of Maggie, something was off with her, which was strange since she was usually a carefree woman. After a couple of weeks, we all asked her about it, and she finally confessed.

Her and Luke had a fling a couple of months back, but she claimed that that was it. Raven persisted on questions, but I could see the strain in Maggie the longer the conversation continued. It was the same way I was with Kade, and it wasn't any of our business so I called Raven off from her curiosity.

Speaking of Luke, he had been brought in for interrogation a couple of months ago about Chivo. I didn't expect it, but I was actually kind of concerned for him when I first found out. Since his dad was the mayor though, the charges were dropped and instead passed off as nothing once Chivo's 'businesses' were uncovered. It was ruled as an accidental overdose, and that was that.

Honestly, though, Luke and Maggie surprised me. I never thought the two would mix, even physically. But, technically, their personalities did clash quite well. Well, as well as they could.

I didn't know what exactly was going on, but it seemed to be more than Maggie let on. Either way, I would wait until she was comfortable enough to tell us herself. I just wanted her to be happy.

We all continued to reminisce, as well as talk over the plans for visits. It was hard to get a conversation through their tears, but we managed. Before I knew it, we were at the airport.

They all pretended to help me with the bags, even though I didn't have that many. Since the apartment I was renting came fully furnished, all I had to really worry about were my clothes. I would buy everything else when I went into town.

I decided on a university in Pennsylvania. It was five and a half hours away from home, just enough to get the separation I wanted, but also enough to scare the shit out of me, as well.

With my scholarships and financial aid, I had enough to cover my tuition, and the rest of the fees. I was on my own for the books, as well as my apartment, though.

Ever since I received the acceptance letter, I began my search for housing. My father wanted me to have his car for school, but I declined. The apartment I found was in walking distance, about a fifteen minute walk from the campus. It wasn't the best, but it was nice enough to be called a roof over my head.

Raven grasped my hands."Are you sure you don't need anything, babe?" she questioned. "You know I can hop on that plane with you right now, no questions asked."

"As amazing as that sounds," I chuckled at her, squeezing her hands. "You can't, and you won't. I promise I'll be fine."

She nodded tightly, biting down on her trembling lip. Before I could prepare for it, Jax, Maggie, and Raven were hugging me. I fell into their arms, my chest caving in with the act.

I squeezed my burning eyes shut. "Thank you," I whispered, squeezing them in return. "Thank you so much for being my family."

We all finally pulled away from each other. "Thank you for being ours, honey," Jax smiled at me, Raven and Maggie nodding in agreement.

I glanced around the three through blurry eyes before I sucked in a breath for encouragement. Pulling away, I grabbed, then began to pull the suitcase from behind me.

My fingers clenched the handle so tight, it hurt. I headed toward the entrance of the airport, glancing back one final time.

A smile feathered across my lips to see them already waving, their arms linked as the tears ran. Even Maggie.

"We're waiting here until your plane takes off," Jax yelled with a mischievous grin, his chest sucking in as he began to count. My heart fell once I realized his intentions.

Quickly, I turned around to rush inside, but it was too late. Behind me, they began to scream their farewells in erratic harmony, their arms linked.

I swiped at my tears through the laughter, even past the stares. They said they'd do it, but I never took them seriously before now.

Just as I turned, I heard one of the attendees announce my departing time. I knew that I had to go.

Even though my friends were still indulged in their song, I managed to wave one last goodbye with a widened smile. Then, I turned, and started toward my flight.

Here goes everything.


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