No Name | Completed

Chapter 66 - Back to Texas

See above for the new two humans you'll meet in this chapter. Well, you met one in the first chapter. Thanks again for reading :) and for those who are panicking about Jesse and Alice, never fear. You haven't seen the last of Jesse.

"Did you get your phone charger?"

"Yes."

"Your glasses?"

"Yes."

"Hat?"

"Mom," I sighed. "I'm wearing it."

"Okay, I'm sorry, I'm just going to miss you," she clenched the steering wheel. Lissa's head poked through the space in between our seats.

"Same, Mrs. D."

I rolled my eyes and sank into my seat. My nerves grew the closer we got to the airport and I knew deep down, I didn't want to be leaving. Not them at least.

Mom pulled up next to the curb at the drop off area and for a few seconds, we sat in silence, not a single movement.

The security guard motioned us forward after a few moments and Mom cleared her throat.

"Right," she undid her seatbelt and opened the door.

Following her lead, we slowly piled out of her car. Lissa and Demi hugged each side of me while Jared and Mom grabbed my bags from the back.

"I can't believe the summer is over," Demi mumbled.

"I can't believe you went to school in Texas," Lissa sighed.

A bag fell to the ground from Jared's hands in front of us.

"I can't believe how much shit you have," he said.

I stared at him, lacking the energy to make a remark.

Mom rounded the car with two other bags in her hands and dropped them in front of me.

"Are you sure you have everything?"

"Mom," Jared and I both groaned.

She raised her hands up. "Fine." She pushed Jared aside and snaked her arms in between Demi and Lissa's to give me a hug.

"I love you," she breathed. "Call me if you need anything."

Holding her, I nodded. "I love you, too."

She stepped back, sniffing, and pushed her sunglasses back down. "I'll be in the car," she said quickly and walked away.

We watched her until she closed the door.

"That's it, I'm not letting you leave," Demi crossed her arms.

I laughed, fighting the sudden moisture building in the corner of my eyes.

"Skype me all the time?" I asked.

"Every day," Lissa squeezed my hand with a nod.

Jared cleared his throat.

"Come here you idiot," I grabbed him and wrapped my arms around his broad waste. His arms wound tightly around me and we stayed that way for a few moments.

"I'll see you soon," he whispered into my hair.

"You better," I stepped back and wiped at my eyes.

Standing in a circle around my bags we looked at each other. We were missing the other person in our group and the void was felt today. Even the space he usually took up around was a reminder. I had gotten so used to having Jesse around that it didn't feel right not having him here, even if it was just as a friend. We were like family before all of this and today, it felt like I had lost another member of my family.