I awoke to light streaming in, blanketing my face. I laid still for a few moments longer, allowing my body to soak up the comfort I felt wrapped in the sheets. I had no notion of the time, only that, either way, I did not get enough sleep. 

After our walk back, it was close to two in the morning, where I then laid awake another hour or so thinking about what had happened between Liam and me. It was safe to say I had a difficult time falling asleep since my brain decided to analyze every detail of the night.

Struggling to open my eyes, I reached over to the nightstand to grab my phone, seeing it was nearly ten. Unfortunately, we had to be packed up and gone in about three hours, and I was already dreading it. This weekend had been so much fun. I was not ready for the bubble we were all in, to pop.

Stretching, I raised my arms out and to the sides, my hand connecting to a hard object beside me. I quickly looked over to see a small white box. Sitting up, I reached out and carefully grabbed it to see a note taped on top that read, "Always remember...Happy Birthday."

I recognized the handwriting immediately.

His old letters still lay hidden in a box that I have not braved to open in years.

Slowly, I opened the lid, revealing a beautiful silver chain necklace. My heart thundered in my chest as I picked it up, the small dove now resting in the palm of my hand. There was a time where I had absolutely no doubt in my mind that I would see this again. But that hope was diminished years ago. A flood of memories rushed back into my mind like a violent hurricane, determined to drown me. I choked on the emotions swirling inside.

He got that letter and still never came?

Desperately needing air, I rushed out of my room and down the hall, yanking Liam's door open and bursting inside. Looking around, my heart dropped. His bed was made, and suitcase already gone. 

 Breathe.

Thinking he already packed up and was downstairs, I rushed down the steps toward the voices floating from the kitchen. I took a deep breath in, trying to calm my nerves. Stepping inside the room, I came face to face with Aaron, Savannah, and Kat. 

"Hey there sleepy head, rough night?" Kat joked.

I peered around her and then to the other end of the kitchen, searching for those electric eyes which were nowhere to be seen. 

Where is he? 

"Earth to Maddie? Hey, are you okay?" Aaron suddenly appeared in front of me, gripping my arms; his chocolate eyes filled with concern.

"Um, yeah, no, I'm fine. I'm sorry, what were you saying?" I shook my head, bringing my focus to him.

"I was just saying, I am sorry for getting so wasted last night. I definitely didn't mean to.  But thank you for taking care of me. You're amazing." He leaned in, kissing my cheek and I forced a smile, my nerves still desperately needing to be checked.

"Oh, it was no problem. I am glad you had fun."

Peering down on me, he pulled his lips into a half smile. "I hope you did too?"

"Huh? I mean, yes. I did. It was a great weekend."

"That it was!" Kat chimed in. "I am so glad I got to see you this weekend!"

I turned toward her, my thoughts now on her soon departure. "Me too, Kat. I am going to miss you! I will make a trip out to see you soon." 

"Ooh, I'll come too!" Savannah gushed, clapping her hands together.

"I would definitely love that! So, hey, we have to be out of here soon. We should probably start packing and cleaning up, though I think Liam took care of most of the cleaning before he headed out this morning."

My traitorous heart boomed inside of me, forcing my mouth to ask the answers it desperately sought. "Liam left? Like, as in, home? When?"

"Um, yeah. He left about an hour ago or so."

"Oh?" My voice quivered as I tried to appear nonchalant. Aaron stepped behind me, placing a hand on my back.

"Yeah, he had to get back. So, anyway, there's coffee in the pot and I figured we can stop somewhere for lunch when we head out since it is already almost eleven."

"Sure, sounds great. I'll go take a shower and get ready. Packing will be quick."

I turned to head out of the kitchen and back upstairs, but Kat grabbed me by the arm on my way up. "Hey, are you okay?

I mustered up a smile and nodded. "I'm good. I'll be done soon, and we can go."

She narrowed her eyes at me, turning down her lips in a frown. I was never too good at fooling her, but I was hoping she would let it go. When she let go of my arm and nodded, I sighed in relief, and quickly escaped.

As expected, the shower and packing didn't take long at all. I rushed through the motions as I did one last sweep of the cabin, making sure nothing was forgotten. When it was clear nothing was left behind and everything was clean, we all headed to the vehicles, loading up our bags.

Aaron pulled me aside, wrapping his arms around my waist as he leaned against his car.

"Are you sure I can't convince you to ride with me?"

"If Kat wasn't leaving when we got back, I would. I just really want to spend these last few hours with her."

"It's okay, I get it. Figured I'd try though." He smiled, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I guess I will tell you the news now then. I don't want to have to wait the whole way back for you to know."

I pulled my head slightly back, darting my eyes across his face. His cheeky smile made me all the more curious, and slightly unnerved.

"What's going on? What news?"

"Well, I just got the phone call this morning. I hadn't wanted to say anything just in case."

I pulled away slightly from his embrace waiting for him to continue, but his mischievous eyes and lopsided grin seemed to be enjoying my curiosity.

"O-kay. Say what? Aaron, tell me."

"Okay, okay." Chuckling, his grip on my waist pulled me back into him as my palms landed flat on his chest. "Well, I just so happen to know people who know people, and well...I was able to get you an internship. You'll be working for a recovery fellowship to support the Wood Stork. I think that's what they said anyway. But no matter the species, because the best part is that it is paid."

I stared at him blankly for a moment as my mind tried to wrap around what he had said.

Recovery of the Wood Storks.

Paid internship.

I blinked rapidly as a huge grin took over my face. "Are you serious right now? I get to be involved in helping recover a species?  The Wood Storks are currently endangered. This is an amazing opportunity, Aaron! Thank you!"

I wrapped my hands around his neck and pulled him in for a hug. My smile was a mile wide as I couldn't bother to contain my excitement.

"And it's paid, can't forget that part."

"Right. That is so helpful, you have no idea. I'm super grateful." I gushed, pulling back.

"Hey, it's no problem. I am glad I could help."

"So, when do I start? Oh, and where is it? Do I interview or anything?"

Aaron chuckled, walking me over Savannah's car. "Enjoy the ride back with your friends. When we get back, we can discuss all the details."

I smiled, leaning in to give him a kiss on the cheek when he turned his head instead, causing a kiss to land on his lips. He pulled away a moment later and winked, squeezing my side before walking back to his car.

"See you in a bit."

The girls were already in the car waiting as I got in, and we pulled out onto the road to begin the journey back. I filled them in on the news and they were just as ecstatic. The car filled with excitement and laughing, their happy energy almost making me forget my earlier heartache.

Almost.

Unfortunately, the heaviness of both the truth and the unknown laid on my chest in the form of a dove. I reached out and gripped it, cusping the charm in my palm.

"Hey," Kat's voice floated in the small space between us, "want to talk about it?"

I turned to her, and with a faint smile, shook my head before turning back to the window where I placed my head on the cool glass and stared at the trees zooming past.

There was only one person I wanted to talk to, who I needed to talk to, and who was going to talk to me whether he wanted to or not.

Hey guys!! Shout out to you all who are sticking with me and my crazy busy schedule as I try to get these last several chapters out! 

Who remembers the dove necklace he gave her in Chapter 25, I Pinky Promise? He has had it this whole time! 😥 But, how did he get it back? Stick around as more of the past is revealed. 

Stay safe, stay kind, and stay authentically you!