✧The Earthe of the Elves✧

Extra chapter:)

"Oh, I got you something," I say, reaching across her to my bedside table. I grab the small purple stone and show it to her.

She makes a face that sends a laugh bursting out of me.

"I mean, uhm," she jokingly corrects, grabbing the stone, "it's so pretty, thanks! Such a pretty... rock."

I shove her, stealing a gummy fruit from her stash. "It's a special rock, Liz."

Her mouth closes into a sly smile. "Like... A magical one?"

I grin and nod, and she immediately asks what it is.

"It's called a transport stone," I say, excited that she's excited. I know she said she didn't want to go to Earthe anymore, it was too tempting to stay. Which I understand. But maybe I can give her a piece of it.

"It... teleports you, so to speak, to wherever you want. You just think of where you want to appear and throw the stone down." I shrug with an uncertain smile. "I thought it might be good at college, you know. If you want to get around campus faster. Just don't let anyone see you."

Lizzie's eyes are glowing with fascination, and suddenly she stands, closes her eyes, and throws the stone down. My face drops in surprise.

"Wait, Lizzie, you should-" I start, but she's already gone. I just sit there, unmoving, wondering what just happened.

Oh gods, where did she go, I think.

"Behind you," I hear her say. I whirl around to see her standing at the other side of my room, smiling brightly. We both laugh, and I mock clap for her.

"Wow, you're a natural," I praise, unable to keep the smile from my face. She shrugs, a downwards smile forming on her face as she tucks a strand of brown hair behind her ears.

"I know."

I chuckle and shake my head. Just then a ding sounds, and Lizzie picks up her phone, the lock screen shining blue light onto her face. Her smile fades, and she looks back up at me.

"My mom says I have to hit the road. Early day tomorrow."

My smile fades as well, nodding. I was trying to forget this whole day that she actually has to leave.

I stand, holding my hand out to her. She takes it and we head down the stairs together, upbeat music drifting through the house from the speaker in the kitchen.

I breathe steadily in through my nose and out through my puckered lips as we reach the entryway. As I watch my best friend since first grade grab her keys and open my door, ready to leave. My throat closes up, and I wish I wouldn't cry. I wish I could be stronger, but I've always been a sucker for nostalgia. This is my best friend. I've known her for over a decade. I love her like a sister, and now who knows when I'll see her next.

Lizzie turns, and I'm a bit more relieved that she has tears in her eyes as well. I'm sure we'd both forgotten when she came over this morning that we would actually have to say goodbye.

I smile as a tear slips down my cheek, and Lizzie steps back towards me, crushing me in a hug. I hug her back, squeezing my eyes shut as a mixture of laughing and crying comes out of me.

"Promise you'll visit," Lizzie sniffs, her voice muffled by my shirt and tears.

"I promise," I say, meaning it fully. " I love you Liz."

" I love you too," she says.

We stay in a hug for at least a minute, if not longer. Until we have both calmed down enough. I wipe the wetness from my cheeks as we pull apart. She gives me one last smile before turning around and walking down the steps, down the driveway, into her car. I stay in the doorway, watching her back up. As she drives past she honks and waves, and I wave back, smiling as tears pool in my eyes again.