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This is it! We've reached the end of Childhood Sweethearts! Thank you so much to everyone who has made it this far - despite my constant late updates and whatever else has been going on. I just want to say thank you so much for all your support. It honestly means the world to me. Without you, there is no me (on Wattpad, anyway). You've all shared some great ideas and given me so much encouragement. I obviously have so much more to learn about writing, I've never even taken a class for it, so all your comments have helped me grow as a writer. Thanks again and I hope you have enjoyed taking this journey with me! :)

Nemo2202 for the awesome book jacket!

"Has the flight the Hawaii left?" My chest was heaving. I stared at her, waiting. She couldn't be gone. Not when I was this close.

Considering our airport wasn't as large as a city one, there would only be one flight to Hawaii.

She slid back on her swivel chair and pushed her glasses further up her nose. Was she deliberately slow walking me? I wanted to slam my fist onto the desk, but that wouldn't help the situation. I fidgeted nervously, practically ticking.

She turned to me, her gaze hard and unsympathetic.

"It's gone."

I staggered back, feeling defeated. I felt my body shut down. I was too late. I clutched at my chest. What the hell was I going to do? I felt like I was physically in pain. I bent over, clutching at my sides.

I couldn't believe it.

I was too late.

--------------------------

It was weird to be back.

So much time has passed and yet nothing seemed that different. Well, I felt different, but that was about it. I stared at my house. Not one thing has changed and in a way, I'm glad it hasn't. It's nice to come home to something stable.

I was absolutely exhausted. I had so, so much fun while I was away. I pushed myself to the absolute limits - going out of my comfort zones in ways I could never have imagined. I even went swimming with sharks. Voluntarily. I know, Hawaii changed me.

"Where's mum again?" I asked as dad attempted to haul my humongous suit case towards our door. I must have developed some new muscles, carrying that around with me. It probably weighed more than me.

I was a little taken back that mum hadn't come to pick me up. I thought that was odd. She had been in constant contact with me, throughout my whole trip and kept repeating that she couldn't wait to see me, blah blah, but didn't show to pick me up from the airport? That just seemed weird. It's been over twelve months - yes, Anna and I prolonged our trip another three months. We just didn't want to come home. We'd been having too much fun.

"I think she's home," dad said, sounding a little distracted.

"If she's home why didn't she come pick me up?" I asked, feeling whiny. And a little annoyed. I would have gone to pick her up if our roles had been reversed.

Dad didn't answer as he fumbled to get the door open. A grin broke out on my face as a banner was splashed across the wall.

"Aw, dad," I laughed, my grin somehow getting wider. "That's awesome."

There were sets of balloons at the bottom of the stairs. It was pretty cute. I guess this was the part where people would usually have a full house party. You know, if they actually had friends, unlike myself.

"Where's mum?"

"Hello, Lacey."

I turned and my jaw fell to the floor, along with my carry bag. Mum stood there, but that wasn't the shocking part.

"What?" I asked stupidly, staring at her. "How? What?"

"Please don't ask how," dad shuddered and mum just laughed. Yeah, I guess that was a pretty gross question to ask. I didn't want to know the details.

I shook my head, still in complete disbelief. "How did you hide this from me?"

She smirked, proud of herself. "It was easier than I thought it was going to be. I guess you don't notice changes as much when you're not seeing me in person every day."

I wandered over to her slowly.

"I already have a name picked out."

I guess skype was only of our faces...

Still in shock, I gaped at my mother's protruding belly.

"You know the gender?" I whispered, scared to even touch her.

"Yes," she smiled, rubbing her pregnant belly. "It's a girl. Time to meet Allie, Lacey."

I dropped to my knees, my eyes burning. I gently traced my finger across my mother's belly.

"Hi, Allie."

Mum laughed, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. I wonder if she thought it was weird that I was speaking to her, but not really to her. I felt a little strange myself. I've never spoken to someone who wasn't really in front of me before (excluding phone calls). I've never had much to do with pregnancies.

"How far along are you?" I asked, staring her up and down as I rose to my feet. Her belly was scarily big. "You sure you're not having twins or something?"

Dad choked on his water. He looked absolutely horrified at the the thought of having twins. That made me laugh.

"Eight months."

"You guys are so reckless!" I exclaimed, shaking my head. "This was obviously not planned, right?"

Mum shrugged. "It wasn't, but I don't regret it. It's time for a new stage in my life. Or, a repeated one, you could say."

I could not believe this. What a bomb shell to arrive back to. I thought I was going to have one from Carter, not from mum. I shook my head at her, a small smile on my face.

"Well, who's going to help me decorate Allie's room?"

"Oh Lacey," mum gushed, her cheeks turning pink. "I'm so glad you're accepting this."

I rolled my eyes. "Like I had a choice."

Tears welled in her eyes and her cheeks became flushed.

"Kidding..." I trailed off, glancing to dad.

"It's not you," dad sighed, going over to my now weeping mother. This was weird. She never cried - unless it was something like me leaving. Or grandma dying. To see her openly cry over, well, nothing, was really bizarre. "She does this all the time."

"Oh, right, the hormones."

Mum wandered into the kitchen to sit down. Dad and I followed suit. Dad was so cute. He was acting so protective, even when she was just walking. This whole situation was so weird!

"Now come on, fill me in with what's been happening! Any other crazy news you want to slap me in the face with?"

Dad laughed, ruffling my hair like he used to when I was younger.

"Ah, Kid. I've missed ya."

I think it was safe to say, I missed them, too.

***

I decided to take a walk. It's what I used to love doing and I'd actually missed the place, believe it or not. I glanced down at my dark skin. It was the darkest it had ever been and my hair was bleached from the sun. I felt really surfy. I looked the same, but to people who hadn't seen me in a while, probably wouldn't realise it's me from first glance.

I didn't even realise where I was, until I heard the water splashing against the water. It had been a long time since I had walked here. Squinting, I stared over the water to the other side of town, where Carter and my cubby sat.

Carter and I used to sprint here from my house, before having to swim across to the cubby. We could never just do it casually, it was always a competition. I missed it.

The wind was slightly cool, as it tussled my hair. Mercedes had written me a letter back. In the letter, it explains as she did not know where to post it, and since I don't have any social media, she dropped it off at my house. It probably laid on my bed for over a year.

There wasn't anything too exciting in the letter. She apologised, which I'm glad for, and basically said what I did: too much has happened. We just aren't going to go back to being friends. But she suggested that we go for coffee one day. I don't think that's too bad of an idea, actually.

I was half curious in knowing what was happening with her and Aiden. I wonder if they were still together. In saying that, however, I kind of liked not knowing. It was peaceful.

It was strange. In some aspects, a year is a long time. I felt like all the drama that plagued my life was a life time ago. But in saying that, it had only been a year, which wasn't very long at all.

With a sigh, I sat heavily, placing the letter inside my jumper that I plonked next to me. I stared at the calm water. I had slept like a baby last night. I had been so exhausted from everything. But now, I was feeling regenerated and needed some fresh air.

"Long time no see, stranger."

His voice was smoother than silk. A shiver ran down my spine just at the sound of it. God, how I missed it.

I peered up, seeing Carter basking in the afternoon glow. He looked amazing as ever. His hair was slightly longer and his tan slightly darker, but he relatively looked the same. I noticed, having studied him a little further, that he had some stubble on his chin. I liked it. He looked more mature.

"Carter," I said, my voice sounding a little hoarse. I cleared my throat. "How's it going?"

He collapsed beside me. "Your mum told me you took a walk. Surprised to find you here, though."

"Me too," I admitted, unable to look away from him. I have missed his mesmerising face. He was so beautiful. I longed to run my hands over his golden skin, like I had so many times before. "Guess I missed this place more than I thought I would."

"Funny that," he replied, giving me a lope-sided smile. "How goes your mum, hey?"

"I still can't believe it," I said, shaking my head. "She didn't tell me anything!"

"Oh wow."

"Yeah, I know!"

"Must have got bored, not having you around to cause trouble," he laughed, nudging me playfully.

I scrunched up my nose. "Yuck, Carter."

"So, how was Hawaii? Meet any cute boys?" he teased and I knew he tried to keep the question as casual as possible. It worked. Kind of.

"It was amazing. So much fun," I grinned, feeling my cheeks heat up as he mentioned other boys. Of course not, I was still in love with him. "And, err, no guys."

"Really?" he asked, looking pleased at my answer.

I bet he had been dying to ask that since the second he saw me.

"Really. You?"

"Nope, no guys for me." he smirked, stretching. My lips parted as I stared at him. He was honest-to-God the most handsome boy. Well, I am bias of course, but he is very attractive.

I rolled my eyes. "Be serious."

He held my gaze. "There's no one else compared to you."

My stomach suddenly turned into the spaghetti circus. I squirmed under his intense gaze. Looks like we have our answer.

I swallowed uneasily. "O-oh."

He gave me a boyish grin, reaching out and tucking a loose tendril of my hair behind my ear. I sighed as his skin made contact with mine. I'd missed feeling the body warmth of another human, so close to me.

It was strange. I felt nervous around him, like I used to when we were younger. It was a nice feeling, as weird as that sounds.

I decided to interrupt the tension-increasing-by-the-second moment. "Have you seen much of Mercedes and Aiden?"

He didn't seem fazed that I asked. Was probably expecting it, really.

"Eh, a little. The birth went all good, as far as I'm aware. I don't think they're dating, but they're, like, together. If that makes sense. They're living together now and stuff, but it's not official dating or anything. I think it's just for the kid. It's a boy - Toby, I think his name is."

"I'm glad everything has worked out." I said, meaning every word.

Carter caught my eye. My breath hitched in my throat. He leant towards me. I had been waiting for this moment, ever since I left. I closed my eyes, waiting to feel the rush of exhilaration. I had missed his lips.

Instead, his lips went to my ear.

"Last one to the cubby has to make the other dinner tonight."

Suddenly, I was met with a whirl of wind. I gasped, falling back slightly. Carter was up and whipping his clothes off before I could blink.

"That's so unfair!" I whined, jumping to my feet, not even having time to check him out.

I was already too late. He was sprinting towards the water, in only his jocks. He plunged into the water and I panicked, having trouble getting the zipper of my jeans undone. After falling over in the process and ending up in a tangle, I ran after him as fast as I could.

The water felt icy on my skin, but I couldn't let the cold slow me down.

He was not going to beat me.

Although I had adventured a lot, I realised how truly unfit I was. My body felt heavier than lead by the time I reached the other side. I dragged myself out of the water, seeing Carter sprawled out the front of the cubby, looking hotter than ever.

"And the champion makes a comeback," he cheered with triumph.

I rolled my eyes. It was all I could do, considering I was panting and gasping for breath. He just laughed, coming towards me.

"God, I've missed you." In two strides he met me. His hands cupped my cheeks. He pressed his warm lips against mine and I moulded into him.

I guess things were back how they used to be.

Finally able to form a coherent sentence, I rested my forehead against his, utterly breathless.

"Guess we're not just childhood sweethearts anymore."

He stepped back, staring at me with complete certainty.

"We were never just that."

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Ahhhh! I can't believe I finally finished this story haha. Has taken me so long! Anyway, I really hope you enjoyed it.

I'm not sure if I will do a sequel because honestly I'm not that big of a fan of them, so I'll have to let you guys know about that one.

Anyway thanks again guys,

Peace!

If you'd like to keep up-to-date with my life, please feel free to follow me on my various social media platforms! (If you'd like to chat, direct messaging me on Instagram is where you'll get the fastest reply as I check that far too regularly and always have my phone with me).