It's been six days since they left. Almost a full week. And I feel absolutely drained.

In a way, I feel as though having everyone here over Christmas only made things worse. After being away from them for over a month, I got used to living so far away from them. Then jumping from that to spending two full weeks with them, I realised how much I really miss them.

Phone calls and Facetimes aren't the same. I miss the little things like walking to class with my friends or having movie nights and just being able to see them whenever I want.

Every night since they left I have cried myself to sleep. I always have a call with Reece before bed and that always makes me feel a little better. But it's the moments after that when I realise how far away we really are from each other that I break down.

Today is Saturday and I haven't gotten out of bed yet. It was just after twelve the last time I checked my phone but that could have been minutes or hours ago. Today's the most I have cried so far. I don't have school to help me distract myself today so I'm just left alone with my thoughts. Every second that I'm away from everyone my heart breaks a little more.

The knock on my bedroom door doesn't even make me stir. I just continue to stare at the wall across from me, huddled up in my pile of blankets. The door opens slowly, revealing my mother standing there apprehensively. She takes a few steps inside until she's sitting down next to me on my bed.

"Do you want something to eat, love? It's almost one." She asks softly, her concerned eyes staring into me.

"I'm not hungry." I whisper, blinking my eyes a few times. I immediately regret it as I feel new tears starting to form in my eyes.

"Honey, you barely ate any of your dinner last night."

I shrug, sniffling, "I wasn't hungry then either."

My mom lets out a soft sigh, reaching forward to smooth my hair down. I close my eyes, feeling myself get emotional all over again. "I know you miss them, love, but you need to eat."

I look up at her then, the first of this new round of tears falling down my cheek. "I really miss them, mom. It's so hard not seeing them."

She's silent for a moment. "You have feelings for him, don't you?"

I immediately know who she's talking about and I don't hesitate to nod. "He's incredible, mom. He's so, so amazing and I miss him so much."

"Bella said the same thing about Max." She hums.

My eyes shoot up to hers in surprise, "She did?"

She chuckles softly, "Well, not exactly. She said she misses her friends but I know my own daughters too well." Her lips fall into a frown, "I'm sorry I did this to you."

I shake my head, "It's not your fault, mom. This is what was best for you and dad."

She sighs, "No. I should have just let you stay with your father."

My mouth falls open slightly. What does this mean?

"I..." She trails off, taking a moment to collect her thoughts before continuing, "I had a talk with your father last night." My eyes widen slightly in surprise but I don't say anything, letting her continue. "We both agreed that moving you and Bella here was a bad decision. I think we underestimated how important your friendship with the Carter family is to you. We didn't realise how much being away from them would affect you.

"I think- Well, we both think that it would be best if you move back to California to live with your father and to be closer to your friends. I hate seeing you and Bella like this and you can always come and visit me whenever you like."

My mouth completely drops open at this. "You're kidding."

She smiles, shaking her head, "I'm not."

"Mom," My voice cracks as I lean forward and encase her in a hug. "I'm going to miss you so much. I love you. Thank you so much." I suddenly jerk back with wide eyes. "I need to call Reece! And Anna and Amanda oh my gosh!"

Mom laughs, standing up and heading out of the room. "You do that. I'm going to give Bella the good news now."

Once she leaves my room, I quickly scramble for my phone and immediately call Reece. He answers on the third ring, his voice clear as day and like music to my ears. "Hey, Sunshine."

"Reece!" I exclaim, sitting up in my bed, "I have literally the best news to tell you!"

"Are you coming to visit soon?" He immediately asks, his voice sounding hopeful.

I shake my head even though he can't see me. "No, even better!"

"Sunshine, I don't think anything could possibly be better than that," He pauses before continuing, "Unless..."

I squeal, bouncing around on my bed, "I'm moving back home! For good!"

"Like... For good for good? As in you're not going to leave?" He sounds disbelieving.

"Yes! I don't know when because my mom only just told me but I'm moving back!" I flop down on my bed, unable to contain the grin that spreads across my face.

"Sunshine you have just made my entire year." I can practically hear the grin in Reece's voice.

I laugh, "It's only January! You can't make a statement that big so soon!"

"But I really don't think anything can top this."

"I'll hold you to that. We'll see."

~

"Okay, wait, let me get this straight," Amanda clears her throat before continuing, "You're coming home on Monday?"

"Uh huh."

"Which is in two days?"

"That's right."

"But you've told Reece you're coming home on Friday... to torture him?"

I nod to myself, balancing my phone between my shoulder and my ear as I fold my clothes. "Pretty much."

"That's cruel, y'know?" Amanda chuckles.

"None of you even told me that you were coming for Christmas! You should be glad I'm not keeping it a secret." I retort.

"True, true. So why only Reece?" Her tone is very clearly suggestive.

A blush tints my cheeks and I'm now very glad she can't see me. "I don't know... I guess I just want to surprise him? I- I don't know."

"You have feelings for him, huh?" She asks softly.

I sigh, "Yeah... Is it that obvious?"

"To everyone but him," She replies simply.

Huffing, I sit down on the edge of my bed, "Well, let's keep it that way. Nothing's going to happen between us."

"That's what you think," Amanda sings, laughing lightly, "I have to go, but I can't wait to see you!"

"I know, I miss you! I'll be home soon!" I laugh and we soon end the call. I immediately get back to packing my things, excited to be going home much sooner than I thought.

~

"Dad!" Bella and I practically throw ourselves at my father once we see him standing in the airport. We drop our bags and tackle him in a hug together. It has been way too long since I last saw him. It was hard leaving my mother behind, but California is my home.

"My girls." He squeezes us in a tight hug and I revel in his familiar hug and the smell of the same cologne he always wears.

"We missed you so much." Bella gushes as we all pull away.

"I missed you girls more. Mack has been beside himself without you two around." He tells us as we grab our bags and start heading out of the airport.

"I can't wait to see him! But, do you think you could drop me at school before we head home?" I ask, my cheeks already tinting pink and my heart rate spiking. I still can't believe he affects me this dámn much.

My dad's lips pull up into a smirk, "And why would you want to go to school so soon?"

"To see her boyfriend!" Bella sings in a teasing tone.

I frown, "He's not my boyfriend."

She grins, "But you knew exactly who I was talking about."

Huffing, I roll my eyes, "Shut up."

Dad laughs, pulling me into his side, "Of course I'll take you to see Reece, sweetheart. I know you missed him." He then turns to Bella, "Claire and Max left school early to come and see you. They're waiting at home."

"Yes!" Bella exclaims, turning to me smugly, "You should have just told him so that he could have done the same."

"No. He needs to get a taste of his own medicine."

~

My nerves skyrocket as I near my chemistry classroom. I still remember my old schedule, so I know that Reece has chemistry now. I wonder what they're doing in class. They aren't having a test, I know that much. Reece and I talk about school a lot and he hasn't mentioned a test coming up in chemistry. I wonder if he's staring out the window, bored out of his mind like usual. Or maybe he's talking to that girl who sits beside him now instead of me. Ella. The thought makes my stomach churn for some reason.

I turn the corner and find myself staring at the closed door of my chemistry classroom. I have already been to the front office to check that I will be going back to my old classes and everything. I also told them that I will be stopping off to see a friend and the lady was happy to let me go. She has always been nice like that.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door and look to my teacher who's now looking at me. "Hi, Sir, can I please speak with-"

"How in the fúck?" That same deep voice that I can't get out of my head interrupts what I'm about to say and makes me turn to look down the back of the class. I immediately lock eyes with him, seeing the shocked look on his face. My lips automatically pull up into a smile as he shoots out of his seat, practically leaping over the desk as he runs towards the front of the room.

Before I can blink, Reece's arms have scooped me off my feet as he charges out the door. He continues walking until I feel the metal of the lockers pressing against my back and I realise I'm leaning against the row of lockers opposite the classroom. His head buries in the crook of my neck automatically as he holds me tightly by the waist, keeping me pressed against him.

"Is it really you, Sunshine?" He whispers after a moment, his grip on me tightening slightly.

I smile, reaching a hand up to smooth back his hair, "It's really me, Reece." I feel him let out a slow breath against my neck but he doesn't move his head back. I softly run my fingers through his hair, trying to calm him down. "It's alright. I'm here, baby. Look at me."

Slowly, he lifts his head so that his face is only inches from mine. I see the unshed tears glistening in his eyes and feel my own start to water at just the sight. I cup his jaw, giving him a small smile. "Hi, Reecey."

"Fúck, Sunshine." He mutters, grabbing my hand and bringing it down to rest over his chest, right over where I know his sun tattoo is. His heart is pounding. "Do you have any idea what you just did? How- how are you here? I thought you weren't going to be here for another couple of days?"

I chuckle, leaning up to press a quick kiss to his forehead. "It's payback. You didn't tell me when you were coming to visit so I thought I'd return the favour by coming home early as a surprise."

"Shít, Sunshine." He breathes out a laugh, "Best surprise ever. This is the best day of my life. Nothing can top this, ever."

My heart aches, "That's a pretty big statement. What about your wedding day or the birth of your kids?" All these thoughts make my heart hurt because I know he won't be experiencing them with me.

He quickly shakes his head, "I'm telling you right now, nothing will ever top this. My best friend moving home? Best feeling ever."

I sigh, resting my head on his chest, "I'll check back in ten years and see if you still think so."

He rests his head atop mine, "Don't worry, Sunshine. I will."