Second Chances

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Feyre

Storm wouldn't let go of me, so we hugged for and kissed for a minute or two like we weren't going to see each other again. I love that he's just as sad about our time apart as I am, but we'll talk, text, call each other and FaceTime plenty. Jack stood there annoyed and kept wining like a child, it was hilarious. He waved us off as we walked through security and now we're sitting at the gate, listening to music while we wait to board the plane. I got an overpriced latte and breakfast sandwich at the Starbucks that's across the way and couldn't believe the total when the barista rang me up.

I scroll through social media, watching cute dog videos and text my mom letting her know that we'll be boarding soon. Jack sits next to me bobbing his head to whatever he's listening to and I remind myself that I'm lucky I don't have to travel alone. I get overwhelmed in the airport sometimes but having Jack at my side has always made me feel a lot better. An hour later they call our group to board and we head over to the long line.

Another half an hour later we take off and I can finally relax. I close my eyes and try to get some sleep, the flight is short. I close my eyes one minute and the next Jack's waking me up because we're landing. We walk off the plane at JFK and head towards baggage claim, we wait around for our bags to come out and then walk out the exits to where we're getting picked up.

Cassius pulls up in his SUV, both he and my mom get out and greet us "Feyre" my mom says and pulls me in for the biggest hug.

"Hey mom, I've missed you" I say as we both tighten our grip. It didn't hit me until now, how much I've truly missed her.

Cassius hugs me next and then takes my bag and loads it into the car. We climb in and head out of the airport. It's just over an hour of a drive from the airport to our house in Ridgewood. I stare out the window as we when we cross the Brooklyn bridge and take in all of the skyscrapers that never seize to amaze me, no matter how much time has passed since I've been home.

My mom and Cassius ask us a million questions about work, school, hockey and our new relationships. I show my mom a picture of Storm and she gives me a thumbs up, they both know Kenzie but Jack proudly shows them pictures of the two of them. I ask about how her job is doing and Cassius how coaching is. It's crazy because this is the first time in the last four years where I feel like I'm just visiting, like this isn't my home. I think a lot of that has to do with Storm because he feels like home to me and not having him around is strange.

When we get to the house aunt Lo comes rushing out the front door and gives me the biggest hug. Uncle Kal comes out behind her and I hug him next "Look at you Fey, so grown up" he smiles at me and I get a nostalgic feeling.

Greyson comes out after to help with our bags and gives me a bug hug. I can't believe he's going to be in college next year. We all head inside and I bring my bags up to my room and settle in. I take a seat on my bed and look around at my childhood bedroom that looks the exact same. The distance I feel from it is so hard to explain, because I'm such a different person now than I was back then. Along my mirror on the vanity are pictures of me, Jack and Archer from our childhood. Next to my bed, on the nightstand is a picture of Archer and I from senior prom.

I pick up the frame and stare at it, remembering that night like it happened yesterday. I stray tear escapes me when all those old feelings come rushing through. I still miss him every day and although it's gotten easier, it's a feeling that I will never fully recover from or get over. I hear foot steps and my mom appears in the doorway "How are you doing?" she asks.

I wipe my eye "I'm good, it's just so weird seeing all of this again"

"I can imagine, you're a whole new person now. But, it's good to have these reminders of what life was once like" she says somberly.