Leah leaves for school in a couple of days and to say I'm devastated would be an understatement.

She hasn't left my house unless it was for work or with me.

I want to do something special for her today. I'm going to invite everyone over as a last little party to end the summer and get her a couple of things.

I just finished my workout, Le is still passed out in bed. I get a couple of things together in the kitchen and prepare a small breakfast for her.

She hasn't been sleeping great. I've tried to talk to her about it but she just denies it. I know that she's been having her night terrors. I think it's stress-induced.

I cut up some fruit and made a little platter, mixing some pancake batter together. I drop a couple of chocolate chips in them and let them cook.

Once the food is all done I brew a cup of coffee and bring the food upstairs.

Much to my surprise, Leah is rubbing her eyes, the comforter covering her body. "Good morning, baby" I kiss her forehead, placing the tray down at the foot of the bed.

"Hi Mas, what is all this?" She blushes, looking at the tray.

"Just some breakfast, I bet you're hungry" I smile, sitting next to her.

"Even if I wasn't I would still eat it. Your cooking is mouth-watering. Thank you, my love" She smiles brightly.

"It's my absolute pleasure" I leave a soft kiss on her lips and let her eat while I clean some clothes off my floor and straighten my dresser up.

"So, I gotta head out in a bit" I casually bring up, folding some clean laundry.

"What for?" She asks, plopping a grape in her mouth.

"I need to pick up a prescription from CVS and run a couple of other errands" I respond, only telling her half of it.

"I can come. I have nothing planned today" She beams.

"Um-" She flips her hair to the other side. Fück. I lose my train of thought, causing her to raise her eyebrows at me.

"Sorry, um. It's fine. I think Ellie mentioned she wanted to hang with you today" I make something up, hoping she's not busy.

"Oh okay, that works then" She nods, causing the weight to be lifted off my shoulder.

I quickly picked out some clothes, settling on my UCLA football hoodie, a pair of light-washed jeans, and white basketball sneakers.

"Put a hat on" Leah pipes in, smiling softly.

"You and your hat fascination. Which one?" I smile, holding up a white one and a yellow one.

She blushes, pointing at the yellow one.

I quickly fix my hair so the hat fits on my head perfectly.

"Better?" I laugh, sitting at the foot of the bed.

"Mhm," She nods, pulling my face to kiss me.

It takes me a second to respond, having been taken off guard. I kiss her back, holding her face in my hands.

She pulls away, eyes sealed shut. I stare at her face, wishing we didn't have to leave each other's sides.

A low sob escapes her lips and my heart drops.

"I'm sorry" She whispers, eyes still screwed shut.

"Shh, it's okay. It's okay, baby girl" I pull her into my chest, holding the back of her head with one hand and the other wrapped around her waist.

"I gotta stop" She laughs, wiping her face.

"You're okay," I smile.

"Okay, go do whatever you have to do. I'm going to the barn, settling some stuff with JD's owner today"

She stands up, a sad smile on her face.

"I'm sorry Le" I kiss the top of her head, knowing how much she'll miss him.

"It's okay. I'll be able to visit on breaks" She sighs, grabbing some clothes out of her bag.

"Something to look forward to" I smile.

"Okay, I'll get going. I'll be home soon" I hug her before grabbing my keys and heading out to my car.

I drove to the grocery store first. I pick up a mixed bouquet of flowers. I also grabbed a few of her favorite snacks and candy for the plane ride.

After the grocery store, I go to Target. I grab a weighted stuffed dino for her. I also grabbed her a planner and a bunch of chapsticks.

A couple of months ago I saw an advertisement come up for lamps. They're color-changing lamps that are commonly used for long-distance relationships. I ordered it right away. The last thing I got her was a gold Cartier love ring.

She's going to be getting on a plane so I don't want to give her too many big things.

Once I gather all of my things up, I head to the car and stop at our favorite coffee shop. I order a coffee for each of us and pay for a gift receipt. Leah excitedly told me they have a location a few minutes from her school.

On the gift receipt, I write 'Buy yourself a coffee, I'll buy myself one and we can have coffee together again'

I thank the man and head back to the car. Ellie texted me and said Leah is still out and won't be home for at least another hour. This gives me just enough time to get home and set everything into a nice gift basket.

I drive home and arrange everything in a basket and place it in my closet to give to her later. I sent her a text to let her know that I'm home and I start to get together a salad.

She walks through the door about half an hour later and sits at the table next to me, "So, what'd you get?"

I'm a bit caught off guard with the question but I quickly reply, "I needed some more body wash and shampoo so I got that. Also picked us up some coffee and I went to the grocery store to get some stuff for a salad"

"Oh, that's nice. Can I have some?" She smiles. "Yeah, of course" I push the bowl and fork over to her.

She smiles, thanking me as she takes a small bite of the salad.

She pushes the bowl back to me and then her eyes fall on the coffee that was waiting for her.

"For me?" She asks. I chuckle, nodding. A huge smile breaks on her face and she immediately grabs it and takes a sip.

"You're a lifesaver" She smiles. "Why? What happened?"

"I have a massive headache and an awful back pain" She frowns.

"I'll get some Advil for you and then I'll give you a back massage" I kiss her temple, getting up to grab the Advil.

"Mas, you don't have to" She calls. I ignore the protest and grab out two Advils and water. I place them on the table next to me and she quickly swallows them.

I woke up with a bit of a headache but it went away pretty fast. Mason's breakfast was the sweetest and most thoughtful thing. It really made my morning. After he left for his errands I went to settle some stuff with JD's new owner. It didn't take long so I was back at the house within a few hours. Unfortunately within that time, my headache came back even worse, and my lower back was in excruciating pain.

When I got home Mason was seated at the table, salad in front of him. He also got me an iced coffee which will hopefully help the headache.

He quickly finishes the salad and then leads me upstairs.

If I even twist slightly the wrong way, a sharp pain runs up my back and down my legs. "Mas, I think I can stay downstairs" I stop after the first three steps.

"Is it that bad?" His eyebrows furrow. "No, it's not a big deal" I go to turn around, the pain coursing through my body. I grab the railing, trying to mask the flinch. This happens every so often. It typically goes away within a day.

"Hey, come on. I'll get you upstairs. Does it hurt when you sit?" Mason asks his hand on my lower back. The warmth from his hand makes my rigid body ease. "Not too bad" I shake my head.

"Okay, so I'll help you in the family room and then I'll go grab some stuff and I'll be back down. How about that?" He asks, to which I nod.

He slowly helps me down the stairs and onto the couch. The soft cushions hug me, and I pull out my phone while I wait for Mas.

Soon he's back with a heating pad and some oils. He plugs in the heating pad and sits on the couch. He wraps the heating pad around my lower back and puts a random channel on the tv. "Just let me know if it gets too hot" I nod, thanking him.

He changes the channel and we both draw our attention to the screen. His hand finds its way to my thigh, drawing circles on it. I try to ignore the sensation that it causes.

"How's your back feeling?" Mason asks after a little while. "Better, actually. Not completely but it feels okay" I nod.

"Do you want me to try and give you a massage?" He asks. "No, it's okay. Thank you though" I smile, rubbing his arm.

He put Tangled on and we watched the movie, not bothering to pay attention to anything else.

Once the movie stops Mason excuses himself. He probably needs to use the bathroom or something. I open up Instagram and scroll through my feed, liking all the pictures.

Soon I hear footsteps and Mason is entering the family room with a basket. He smiles when we make eye contact and he places it on the ottoman in front of me. Tears pool in my eyes and I wonder how I ever got so lucky.

I open all of the gifts, my heart overflowing with joy and endearment. "Mason, you didn't have to do this. I love it all" I smile, pulling him close so I can kiss him.

"One more thing" He pulls a small box out of his pocket and hands it to me. I gasp, looking at the imprints of the box 'Cartier'.

"Mason, no. Take it back to the store. I can't accept this" I give it back to him, refusing to untie the bow.

"Oh don't be ridiculous. Come on, just open it. Please" He frowns.

"No, I'm not allowing it. Whatever is in that box is way too expensive"

"Fine, then I'm opening it and once it's open there are no returns unless it's to get a different size" He grips the ribbon.

"Mas, seriously. I'm not kidding" I grab his hand.

"Neither am I" And with that the ribbon unravels and the box opens. I am met with a gold Cartier love ring. I gasp, a smile on his face.

"Mason White. You did not" I shake my head. "Oh but I think I did" He laughs, taking the ring out of the box and slipping it onto my ring finger.

"It's beautiful" I stare down at the ring in awe. "No, you're beautiful. It just compliments you" Mason smiles.

My heart flutters and I immediately pull him into a kiss. His hands find my waist and I let my hand wander down to his chest. "Woah, guys. Take it to the bedroom" Ellie laughs, causing us to pull away.

I blush, causing a huge smirk to spread on Mason's face. "What's all this?" Ellie walks over to us, looking at the basket. Her eyes immediately find the Cartier box and she gasps.

"Is that a Cartier box?" She yells. "Yes, Elle. My gosh, stop screaming" Mason squints.

"Let me see" She grabs my hands, causing me to smile. "So did you propose?"

"Not yet. That'll come after college" Mason winks, putting the empty box into the basket.

"Ugh, I'm so in love with your relationship" Ellie smiles, sitting on the couch.

"Can we watch something together? I'll invite Brooks and tell him to pick up some food"

"That sounds great. Can we get wings?" I suggest. "Oooh, I like the sound of that" Mason nods, smiling.

Ellie quickly calls Brooks and texts him our orders and soon she is joining Ellie on the couch and we are eating and watching a bunch of Disney movies.

These are the moments I'm going to miss most while in North Carolina.

Hello, angels! I'm so sorry for the long wait on the chapter! I've really been slacking lately and I'm going to change that! I have my first final on Friday and only a few more classes until I'm done with the senior year! Thank you for everything you have done for me and for always sticking by my side! Don't forget to vote, comment, and share!

If you like this book, make sure to go check out the other one on my page, It's a Thin Line, Darling.

Question: Do you have a dream school and/or occupation? What is it?

Answer: I never really had a dream school but I am completely in love with the college I will be attending in the fall! I will be majoring in health sciences to become a pediatric occupational therapist.

Word count: 2163

~Leah