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“Can I at least say goodbye?” I wasn’t opposed to fighting him if he said no. I would go kicking and screaming before leaving here without giving Vallie a hug.
“Sure,” he replied. “Just make it quick.”
I found Vallie and Miles standing by one of the food tables. Miles noticed me first and had the decency to look slightly embarrassed.
When I reached them, Vallie’s smile brightened. “Scottie-cat! Yay, you found us! You have to try this,” she commanded delightfully as she wolfed down whatever food was on the table. I’d never seen such an assortment at LakeWood before. I couldn’t tell if whatever Vallie was moaning over was meat, cheese, or something else entirely.
My eyes started tearing up as I realized this would probably be the last time I saw her. My carefree, wild, loving best friend.
Vallie noticed my mood and stopped eating, her food still pocketed in her cheeks. She took my hands in hers and leaned in to whisper in between chewing, “Scottie, are you okay? It was so cruel to burn both of your wrists. Do they still hurt?”
She turned my wrists over to inspect them. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Miles staring at the right one before I pulled away. “No, I’m fine. Congratulations. What’s in your folder?”
She swallowed her remaining food, then smiled broadly. “You are now looking at the new Human Relations professor of LakeWood Elementary, and…”—she gestured to Miles—“the newest recruit of the AASP of Tennebris.”
My smile was genuine. I beamed at both of my friends. “Congratulations, that’s amazing, and for your rankings too.”
Vallie would make a fantastic teacher. She loved children and had always been fascinated by the mortals that dwelled on Earth. I couldn’t think of a better career for her.
I turned toward Miles. “Maybe you could still fulfill our childhood fantasy of finding us a planet to live on.” I meant it as a joke, but my words came out in a choking sound, catching in my throat.
“Anything for you,” he replied.
“Yeah, yeah. Enough talk about our future. Tonight we are stuffing our faces with whatever this amazing gooey stuff is and stealing the champagne from the professors’ table.” Vallie laughed lightheartedly as she pointed to the nearest assortment of food.
I took a step toward her, wanting to follow, wanting to celebrate, and spend the entire evening with her. We had both agreed to not go to bed tonight so we wouldn’t miss a minute of our last night together. My eyes filled with tears, and this time I couldn’t stop them from falling.
“Scottie, what’s wrong?” she asked delicately as Miles took a tentative step toward me, then hesitated.
“I want to… I want to spend tonight with you, with both of you,” I choked out, the words catching in my throat. I meant it. I didn’t care what happened with Miles last night. I was going to miss both of them. “But I’m leaving. I have to go to the castle.”
Vallie’s eyes bulged. “What? I thought we still had tonight.”
I shook my head as more salty tracks broke free and rushed down my face. “I thought so too, but I have to leave now.”
She engulfed me in a big hug. “I love you,” she cried into my shoulder, soaking my shirt. “I love you so much, Scottie-cat. Don’t you ever forget it.”
“I love you too, Vallie. You’re my family.”
We hugged each other tighter, not wanting to let go, not caring about who was watching. I didn’t know how I got so lucky throughout my time here for Vallie to befriend me. To welcome me into her family, practically kidnapping me on the holidays and forcing me to come with her because she knew—she knew I would have otherwise spent them alone. Vallie was the reason for me not falling apart on numerous occasions. She was the glue that held me together. I didn’t know who I would be without her.
Vallie reached inside her pant pocket and fished out a small blue box with a white ribbon on it. “Don’t open it now,” she smiled in between tears, a bit of her red lipstick smeared onto her chin. “Or it’ll make me cry more.”
Once I pulled away from her, Miles stepped forward and embraced me. “Be careful,” he murmured into my ear.
I gave him a small smile as I whispered back, “You too, and take care of Vallie for me.”
“Always,” he responded. This could be the last time I would ever see them.
I stepped back. “Thank you for everything,” I said to them both as I made my way back to where I had left Peter. I couldn’t look at Vallie’s crying face as I turned around. The muffled sobs I heard coming from my friend were enough to break me.
Once I trekked back through the Hub to our dorm room, I packed up the few belongings I owned. I was careful to place the painting Vallie gave me in one of my bags. That was coming with me no matter what. It only took me a few minutes to pack. I sat on my bed one last time and looked around the small dorm.
The multiple candles we’d light during winter were still spread across our room. Various remnants of wax remained. This room had been my home for the past eleven years. I peeled my eyes away from Vallie’s bright, floral side. I didn’t want to cry anymore. Everything was sinking in and felt too real.
I reached in my pack and pulled out the box Vallie gave me, mad at myself for not thinking of getting her a gift. That was what made Vallie so wonderful. She was nurturing, thoughtful, caring, and brightened everyone’s day. Her positivity was contagious as she spread those warm wings to me when I first arrived here, making me smile when no one else could. Making me feel alive when I wanted to die.
Inside the box was a lollipop, similar to the one she first gave me when I came to Tennebris. A handwritten letter was folded four times over. I smiled through glossy eyes as I opened the letter with shaky hands.
