AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m not a little girl anymore, Drew,” I say when he finally looks up at me. “Just so you know, Travis wanted to tell you right away, but I asked him not to because I wanted the timing to be right.” I let out a sarcastic laugh as if the timing would ever be right.
He shrugs, unaffected. “He broke the bro code on so many levels, Vi. You don’t mess around with your friend’s sister behind their back—no exceptions,” he states firmly.
“I know. But you won’t have to worry about it again because I’m leaving anyway. Everything I love will be in Cali, and I’ll be thousands of miles away. I’m sorry. With graduation and the internship, I was busy focusing on that.” My eyes begin to water, and I’m allowing my emotions to slip again. I wipe a tear that streams down my face and try to compose myself.
“It was a lot for me to deal with. So, please, if you’re going to be pissed at someone for not knowing, direct your anger toward me. As much as I want to blame him, it’s not Travis’s fault. I never wanted or intended to hurt you, Drew. You’re my big brother. My hero. One of my best friends, and as much as you piss me off, I love you. I’m really sorry it happened this way, but I can’t be sorry it happened, even if it was a big mistake.”
Drew sits there for a second, looking straight out the window as if he’s absorbing all of my words. He lets out a sigh and then a small chuckle. “You’re still a nerdy little brat, you know that?”
“And you’re going to miss me when I’m gone. Are we okay?”
“I forgive you this once, but only because we’re family, and Mom says I have to like you.” Drew jokes just like he used to when we were younger. I let out a sigh, knowing we’re going to be okay. His phone vibrates in his pocket, and as he pulls it out, I glance down and see Mia’s calling.
“I’ll see you later, sis.” He gets out and answers it immediately.
Even after all the trouble she’s started, Mia still has this hold over him. I wish he could see through the bullshit, but perspective is everything, and I can’t be a hypocrite.
Before I put the car in drive, I catch the sweet smell of the roses Travis gave me. Though he shouldn’t have, I’m glad he was there to acknowledge the accomplishment. It meant a lot, but I don’t have the words to tell him that yet. My heart still hurts, and I’m still learning to push all of the memories we spent together to the side. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but a part of me prays that distance will help me forget.
I reach in the back seat for the red envelope. The front has a couple kissing in color while the rest of the image is in black and white. Inside, the card is blank, but in all uppercase letters, he wrote:
CONGRATULATIONS, PRINCESS!
I’M SO PROUD OF YOU! GRYFF & I LOVE YOU!
Below that is a note in his signature scribble handwriting.
I still plan on driving you to the airport so I can see you one last time before you leave. I miss you. I miss us.
For a moment, I close my eyes and can smell the hint of his cologne on the card.
I peel my eyes open and study it for a moment longer before shoving it back into the envelope and setting it in my middle console.
Thinking about his written message, I feel torn. We’d planned on him taking me so that we could spend those last moments together, but now I’m second-guessing that plan. I’m afraid I won’t want to leave if I see him again. Maybe a clean break is what we both need.
As soon as I pull up to my dorm, I get a text from Courtney.
Courtney
Drinks tonight?
Viola
How about I watch you drink? I’m not in the mood. I have to start packing.
Courtney
DEAL! Be there in an hour, after I ditch my family.
I walk inside with the roses and card. I place the flowers in a vase and lean against the counter and look around at everything I’m leaving. After a few more minutes, I go to my room to make sure I didn’t forget to pack anything. The few boxes stacked against the wall will be shipped to my new apartment on Monday. Other than a few more books and clothes, everything is ready to go. But it’s easy moving when most of the furniture is screwed to the wall and floor.
It’s funny how time seems to crawl by, but then in a blink of an eye, it’s like years have passed. College has been my life for the last four years, and it’s bittersweet to be leaving, to be opening a new chapter in my life.
A pound on the door lets me know Courtney has arrived, and I can’t help but shake my head as I rush to the door. When I open it, she’s still wearing the tight little black dress she had on under her graduation gown and high heels that make her tower over me.
“Well, come on, I need a stiff drink after dealing with the Beverly Hillbillies. Oh, you didn’t know they came from TexastoCalifornia?”
I laugh. “I’m sure they’re not that bad.”
