I could comprehend the reason beneath this silence. We were awakened from a dream, a pleasant dream, and snatched back to the reality of our lives. I was going back to my home, to my family, and to my room—which was no longer shared with Abby and she was going back to her father and Susan. I assumed that was the part that killed her inside. I was so used to being with her, and only her, that if she offered to run away again, I would without a question. Well, I'd do anything she asked me in a heartbeat. The control she had over me was scaring me, and she didn't even know that.

On top of my thoughts, there was this: We were home.

The trip was already a memory craved in our minds, something that ended. After spending every single day by Abby's side, it was going to be hard to adjust to my routine. I could still tolerate it since she was living next door but after three days, she would be gone for good. I didn't know what to do, then. I was lost.

I glanced at my house, the lights still on, and everything as I left. It was like the time stopped here, but for me, it flew, so I wasn't the same person I once was anymore. My mother was probably staying up since she knew we would arrive soon. I let out a sigh, leaning slightly back with my eyes shut to make the most of this prolonged silence. She suddenly held my hand and caused my eyes to open up.

"You should go," she murmured smilingly. I could see the bitterness clouding her expression even if she tried to hide it behind a faint smile. I unbuckled her belt and embraced her in my arms as tightly as I could. When I buried my face into the crook of her neck, she sighed, brushing her cheek against the top of my head.

"Come with me," I whispered.

When she retreated to look into my eyes, I saw a hint of uncertainty. I could tell she wasn't ready to go back home for her own reasons, but she probably hesitated to come over because it was midnight. I didn't want to jeopardize her time with her family, I mean, though she didn't support her father's relationship with Susan, I wanted her to give them a chance because they were obviously happy together. But I was selfish, and she was leaving soon so I wanted to spend every single moment left with her if she would.

"Your parents would be like what the fuck."

"They love you," I insisted.

"It's past midnight, George—not an appropriate time for a guest."

Although a part of me was keen to find a way to convince her, I knew I had to let her face her own reality. Her father had missed her, no matter what she thought, and she needed to catch up with them before she left for good. When the realization dawned on me, I let out a sigh and said, "Okay. Text me before you sleep."

When she nodded at me with a look, I didn't know if she looked relieved that I'd let go or she was surprised. Either way, in the wake, her sigh filled the void before she pushed the door open and walked out. I didn't move as I watched her walk into her lawn with soft steps and waved when she turned around to cast me one last glance. Then, she hopped on the porch, rang the doorbell, and waited. Consequently, I waited, too. Susan emerged from the door later, and she immediately hugged Abby. I couldn't see their faces very well—especially Abby's since her back was facing me—but I hoped she was feeling better.

Once Susan tucked her inside, and the street was rendered silent again, I took a breath before looking at my house. It was time to go home. Grabbing my stuff from the truck, I locked the car and reached the porch. The day I'd walked out of here to start a new journey with Abby to oblivion, with new hopes, excitement, and uncertainty that surfaced whenever I started off something new, went through my eyes in flashes.

I paused a little before I knocked on the door. The hurried steps were proceeded by my mother swinging the door open with a gasp. "George," she said, throwing her arms at me. I caught her just there, putting my bags on the ground, and hugged her back. "Thank God, you're home. We missed you so much."

Then, my father joined the hug session, we just stood like that on the doorstep until my mother pulled back, asking whether I was hungry. My stomach suddenly growled as if it appreciated the reminder and I just followed her through the kitchen like a puppy. The table was already set, and when we sat down, they told me they were waiting for me to have dinner.

"You look tanned," my father commented. "How did it go?"

"It was great," I replied. "Such a remarkable experience. I learned a lot."

He shook his head with remembrance. Once he told me that he traveled around the US in two months with his friends. Maybe that was what inspired me for this trip in the first place. The idea of traveling around your country by car sounded so tempting. "What did you do?" I added.

My mother was first to reply with a sigh, "Your father is really the most boring person in the world. Your absence reminded us that you're the fun of this house."

"Come on, it shouldn't be that bad, huh?" I said looking between them. Their glances at each other weren't really the most loving, so well, I decided to drop the topic as soon as possible instead of diving into the source of the matter. "Mom, I really missed this," I said, pointing at the meal with my fork. "I mostly starved during the trip." It was a bit of exaggeration, but it wouldn't hurt anyone.

My mother squeezed my hand when her face wrinkled. "I knew." She turned at Dad to repeat the words like he was the witness. "I felt it. You look thinner, too. Do you want more ravioli?"

"No, I'm full," I said, pushing the plate forward. "I'll be in my room if you need me."

"But we couldn't even talk properly," she complained as I stood up. My father didn't protest, and for that I was grateful.

I shrugged as I walked away, saying, "I'm so tired, Mom, I'll tell you everything tomorrow."

I knew she wanted to dive into the topic of Abby eventually, but I wasn't really in the mood to start on that. I was wondering what Abby did—how she was feeling. I checked my phone, but she hadn't texted me yet. As I climbed up the stairs and reached my room, I felt soft at the sight. I missed my bed. I missed my bed the most.

Throwing myself on it, I closed my eyes and let the fatigue catch up with me. I could have fallen asleep there if I didn't force myself to keep awake because I really wanted to learn about Abby first. However, somewhere between the battle, I think I lost it because my neck was stiff from lying in the wrong position when my phone chimed.

Abby's text read:

No. I'm awake.

I was about to text yes when I came up with an idea. I pulled the curtain open and looked at Abby's window, with the curtain closed but the light on. I have done it before—though it was sort of different now—but I could...climb up to her room.

I pulled on my coat in hurry and descended the stairs. The television was on, and my father was too focused to notice me sneak out while my mother was talking on the phone. Good, they thought I fell asleep. Walking out, I quickly run into Abby's place and texted her.

Can you open the window?

Seconds later, the window was open, and she slouched herself down to look at me. "George," she whispered. "I can't come downstairs. I told them I'll sleep soon, and they don't know about us."

"I'm coming up."

She raised her eyebrow. "You're coming up? Aren't we too old for that?" She paused for a little before she added, "You sure?"

I could climb up with a few steps, and it wasn't that hard since I already knew where to hold and where to step on. Taking a break, I held onto the first brick and pulled myself up. Then, second and it continued until I reached her window. I felt the warmth of her hand as I reached there, and I looked up as she helped me up and in from her window. "You're unbelievable," she said as she closed the window.

I sat on her bed immediately, looking at her with a smile. "I like to surprise."

"How did you explain this to your parents?"

"I snuck out, Abby."

She looked at me in disbelief. "What if they walk into your room and see the bed empty?" Her panic sort of amused me, for my parents, wouldn't really mind if I told them I slept in her room. I snuck out because I didn't have time to explain. She was in soft pink pajamas with her hair bun and she looked really cute. In lieu of an answer, I yanked her close and kissed her on the mouth.

"Can we focus on the moment, please?" I said next, retreating a little to look at her. "I didn't come here to give you a lecture on my skills of sneaking out."

Abby held my gaze for a moment, then left me alone in the bed, walking to the door. I watched her, trying to see what she was up to, and sort of understood when she locked it and turned the lights off. When she came back, I shifted slightly to make room for her as I covered us with her blanket. Her eyes shone under the moonlight raying into the room through her ajar curtains.

"It feels more real...since you're here," she suddenly whispered, touching my face.

"What do you mean?"

"I know it sounds silly, but you know, the whole trip was like a dream and now, we are back but you're still with me and you love me." I think she waited for me to laugh or make fun of her, but I was feeling the same. I had been feeling the same since she said she loved me. It felt like a bad joke. "I just can't believe it."

"Me neither," I replied softly. "But I don't have much time left to doubt—I want to make most of it without any complications."

When she looked at me, she knew what I was talking about, and tears shimmered in her eyes. She was leaving in three days and I just didn't want to think about it but there was a clock within me ticking the last hours down. "I love you," she whispered, cupping my cheek. "Then don't complicate it, okay?" I nodded. "Just kiss me."

We were still young, and we would finally find a way through the end of the tunnel. I kissed her then, slowly, taking my time but never wasting a second. I touched her like she was mine, and I embraced her like she was easy to fly. I loved her like I loved her for the first time and the last—with the same eagerness but in a more passionate way.

***

Hi!

Some of you feared that the ending was soon, but it's not soon. I mean, yes, we are close but hang in there, okay? We still need to send Abby off to New York. 🤧

How did you like this chapter? What do you think will happen next? Please don't forget to vote if you liked the chapter!

❤️

Sev xx