Time after time

Life's adventure

Elle POV

When I opened my eyes this morning to the sound of Noah's phone ringing, reality hit me in the gut. That's right, we're both leaving for Boston today! We had been back at the Flynns' main house for a few days and I had been staying in Noah's room since mine no longer belonged to me at my father's house.

I thought that this departure to Boston would probably have been more difficult if all these drama hadn't happened. Indeed, this is a bit of nonsense! But the reality was that... I didn't leave Lee, he had pushed me out of his life. I wasn't leaving Brad and my dad, they had found someone to replace me.

Was I always sad about these drama? Yes! But at the same time, I felt free! Free to no longer have to worry about the rules with Lee. Free to be able to live my young adult life without having to worry about adult responsibilities: no chores, babysitting or picking up Brad.

Turning to Noah as he stretched in bed, I remembered all the times in the last year he had gone to Boston without me. I remembered feeling like I was getting a part of myself ripped away every time. But not today! For the first time, I will be sitting in the seat next to him. Noah seemed to be reading my mind at that moment because he gave me a big smile and he leaned over to whisper in my ear:
- Ready for Boston?

And I had no regrets in saying to him:
- Noah Flynn, I'm more than ever ready!

He laughed at the memory before hanging me in his arms to help me up. All of our suitcases were closed and our clothes had been left on the bathroom counter, ready to be put on. Since we had to be at Harvard by 5:00 p.m. for Noah to pick up his room key, our flight had to be very early. Noah tried to encourage me by saying that it would be easier to get me on East Coast time. But, the reality is, I hate getting up early!

The Flynns' house was quiet when we came downstairs with our suitcases. Noah had scheduled an Uber for this morning, avoiding asking his parents to get up too early to take us to the airport. June got up anyway to say goodbye. That is the only time since I decided to leave that tears have come to my eyes. Even when my father and brother came by yesterday lunchtime to say goodbye, I was a little nostalgic but not sad. But... June has always been like my surrogate mom. I don't know what I'm going to be without her. She took me in her arms as my mother would have done:
- I'm going to miss you so much, June!" I said, suppressing a sob.
- Don't forget that I'm only a phone call away," she said before running her thumbs over my cheeks to wipe away my tears. "Go live this university life and shoot for the moon!

I nodded and then she let go of me so she could kiss her son. And I heard her whisper in his ear to take good care of me. I know that wherever I go and whatever I do, June will always have my well-being at heart and she has passed this on very well to her older son.

An hour later, we had just finished checking in our luggage and I was waiting for Noah in front of the stairs leading to security. In an instant, I remembered last year when I saw Noah walk up that stairs before leaving for Harvard. I remembered the feeling I got when he didn't turn around at the top of that stairs! How certain I was that our story would end abruptly since he was far away! But in the end, I was wrong!

Lost in thought, I didn't hear him approach me from behind.
- Ready?" he said, holding out his hands.

I replied by taking his hand and following him to the stairs. And I didn't turn around at the top either, but for another reason... for the moment, I had no regrets.

6 hours later, Noah woke me up by shaking me gently. After watching Los Angeles drift away in the rising sun, I fell asleep on Noah's lap as soon as the belt locker was turned off. The lack of sleep of the last few days, our early morning wake-up call this morning, and Noah's hand gently playing with my hair got the better of me.

I watched Boston appear through the window and I told myself that despite the period of darkness that I experienced in the last few days, I felt that something wonderful was waiting for me there. It's still terrifying to move for 4 years to the other side of the country but I was ready for this adventure.

And the moment the plane's wheels landed on the tarmac, Noah's hand came to take mine...

Noah POV

I've been dreaming of this moment for 1 year! In high school, I had 2 dreams: to go to Harvard and date Elle. Since Harvard was on the other side of the country from LA, I figured that having both was pretty much impossible. That I was bound to lose one or the other. If I had been allowed to choose... I would have chosen Elle. Yes, I had been willing to let her go but for her, not for me. Today, when the wheels of the plane landed on Logan's tarmac, I began to realize that finally my 2 dreams came true.

My mother's words played over and over in my head throughout the flight to Boston as I played with my fiancée's hair asleep on my laps : It's your turn to take care of her, Noah! And deep down in my being, I know that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I know that there will be days when I am not perfect, that I will make a mistake or disappoint her. And that scares me! If there is one feeling that I have never been able to deal with well, it is the impression that Elle is disappointed in me. Because I've believed for so long that I'm not good enough for her. That I'll never be the right guy! I was so hopeful that I could prove myself wrong.

Elle and I made our way out of the airport to campus. I left her in front of the residences with the suitcases while I went to get the key to my room. Luckily for me, I was able to have the same suite with the same roommates. They probably won't be bothered by the fact that Elle is going to stay with me until classes start in 2 weeks.

I was instantly thrust back into dorm life when we opened the door and found Elijah, Steeve and Brian in front of the TV playing video games.
- Flynn, you little bastard! It's about time you showed your face, old man," Steve said, patting me on the back.
- Yes, let's say I have a disadvantage compared to you guys. LA is on the other side of the country." I replied, shaking his hand cordially.
- And you brought us the future Mrs. Flynn!" said Elijah, holding out his hand to Elle.
- It's the first time I've been referred to in this way," Elle replied, shaking his hand.
- You'll have to get used to it," I whispered in her ear, winking at her.

Elle blushed slightly and I remembered how much I love to make her blush. The guys invited us to come and eat pizza with them for dinner in a few hours, which gave us time to organize my room. We took a few minutes to unpack my suitcases and make the bed. I insisted that Elle take a drawer to store some things, saying that it would be handy on the weekends she would spend with me and even on weeknights if she was too lonely or her roommate was getting on her nerves. Ok, I admit, I'd like her to spend every night in my bed! But we had agreed on all weekends when we're on campus and weeknights if Elle feels homesick.

After taking a shower to freshen up and change clothes, Elle and I joined the guys for the evening. She participated in video games and clearly made my roommates bite the dust which was very beautiful to see. Especially since they seemed to adopt Elle from the start. What, in my book, who can not love her?

The evening was spent with jokes from my roommates that I was about to tie the rope around my neck and discussions about the upcoming football season.

After today's trip and the beer, Elle started yawning and I knew she was struggling with sleep. I put my arm behind her and then she snuggled up to me. I bent down a few minutes later to see that she was asleep.

The evening ended early as my roommates and I had an early football practice tomorrow morning. I carried a sleeping Elle to my bed. I gently took off her pants knowing that she prefers to sleep in my t-shirt before slipping her under the covers and then laying down next to her.

Back at Harvard with my fiancée in my arms, I thought to myself that summer has not gone so much the way I envisioned it when I boarded that plane back to LA a few months ago. The summer has been a rollercoaster ride for me, I've had to learn to recognize and manage my emotions. I made the worst and best decision of my life. I have seen my girlfriend's life explode before my eyes and I can only admire the strong woman that she is. Would I have done without all these drama, yes! But still, I was happy with the conclusion. I was now ready for Elle and Noah's adventure in Boston!