My eyes grew wide in shock at his words. Dylan Martin, Mr. I'm So Crazy About Medicine was going to study business, something he didn't want to do in the first place? Clearly this was a joke. Dylan didn't want to do business. He hated it. It was the reason his parents hated him; because he didn't want to take over their business.
He was clearly doing this to please his parents and it worked. Mr. and Mrs. Martin's face lit up immediately, their hearts on fire. Mrs. Martin hugged him tightly and Mr. Martin patted his shoulder and kept saying great things about him. For a slight moment I saw Dylan smile, liking the feeling of his parents being proud of him but it vanished as quickly as it came. I half-expected him to say 'sike!' and laugh at them but it never came.
"This calls for a celebration! Family dinner! Skylar you're invited!" Mrs. Martin sounded excited.
"I would love to but I have to get home and prepare my speech," I lied.
"Oh darn it! That was your car out front?" Mrs. Martin asked.
"Uggh, yeah. Why?" I replied confused.
"I had it towed. Didn't want just any old car in front of my house. I'm sure you can fetch that old thing!"
So the bitch was still in her. I bit my tongue preventing me from saying anything rude because Dylan was trying to mend things and I didn't want to ruin things for him.
"I'll just call my brother," I forced a smile and excused myself. Stepping outside was a relief. I felt like I was walking on glass in that house. I got my phone out and quickly called my brother explaining why I needed him to come get me. Not long after I hung up, Dylan joined me outside.
"What are you doing?" he asked concerned.
"I'm waiting on my brother."
"I could have brought you home," Dylan frowned.
"I know but you were busy with kissing ass so I figured I'd call my brother," I shrugged not really in the mood to talk anymore.
"What did you expect me to do? They are keeping the twins. When I'm in classes at college they would hurt them. Think about it. They're keeping the twins and I'll be studying plus I'll have long hours of training and if I studied medicine they would continue hurting the people I care about," Dylan groaned frustrated, "If I do business, I make them happy and that way they'll treat the twins better. They'll treat me better. Maybe my first plan didn't work but this one might. I'll take over the business and if Daniel or Dana wants they can take over and then I can go study my medicine if I'm still up for it. I'll always protect the twins even if it means giving up my dreams."
"Dylan," I searched for my words as I stared at the beautiful boy in front of me. He was so selfless it worried me, "Why don't you just report them? They're bad, abusive parents."
"Money is power and they have too much. They won't go down and even if they do lose the twins, I might not get them and surely not Martha," he shook his head and a sudden fear washed over his eyes, "I won't let them hurt the twins. I won't let anybody hurt them."
"I respect you. I have so much love and admiration for you, you don't even understand," I blinked back my tears as I caressed his face with my hands.
"I appreciate that," he smiled.
"The thing you hate the most isn't goodbyes," I whispered to him, "It's loosing the people you care about. It's seeing them get hurt. It's the reason you're so protective Dylan. It's the reason you're such a good guy. I'll see you at graduation."
I placed a light kiss on his lips and hugged him tightly before turning and walking towards my brother's car which had arrived moments ago. I spun around and using both my hands, I blew kisses in Dylan's direction before getting in the car. Jace waved to Dylan before driving off.
***
We threw our hands up and cheered together. This was it. It was all over. We had graduated and we were no longer apart of this school. I was immediately hugged by Dylan who lifted me and spun me around. I laughed completely happy and then kissed him deeply before he put me on the ground.
Ari then attacked me screaming loudly. I caught her in my arms and hugged her tightly, "We've done it! This feels so great!"
"I can't believe it's all over. I'll miss this. I'll miss you like crazy," I pulled Ariana closer to me not wanting to let go of her.
"Me too," she said and we parted.
The twins didn't hesitate to squeeze us back into a group hug. We were all high on laughter and just congratulating each other. My brother grabbed me at one point and kissed my cheek before wandering off.
"Well, it looks like this is one of our last moments," I heard James' voice behind me.
"Just for a while. I wouldn't come out of your life for good," I grinned.
"Great because I couldn't deal with that," he smiled and threw his hand over my shoulder, "Hey, you remember that time your lover boy and I fought?"
"Yeah."
"And you wanted to know the reason," James continued, "Well it was because I told him you didn't want him. I said that you'd never notice him and you'd never love him. I pushed his buttons that day. That boy cares deeply for you and everyone in this school knew it, but you of course. I'm sorry. I thought I owed you that much."
"Thank you James. I really appreciate hearing that. You're coming to the airport tomorrow right?" I suppressed a light smile on my lips.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he winked at me and then ran off to find Ari.
"Skylar!"
"Oh there you are! My angels!" I gushed as I bent to hug Daniel and Dana. They giggled, "Listen I have something to tell you guys."
"Okay," they chorused.
"I'm leaving tomorrow to go to this really great college but I want you guys to know that I'll be back and I'll visit and I love you very much. I'll miss you," I said quickly afraid I might hurt them.
"You promise you'll be back?" Dana asked with a sad voice.
"Every chance I get and then when I'm finished with school, I'll be back for good," I promised and they nodded satisfied.
"What about you and Dylan?" Daniel asked and I thought about his question a bit.
"We'll be okay," I tried to convince myself also, "But if you see any girls coming around then just get rid of them for me."
"We will!" they assured me and I placed a kiss on each of their cheeks.
"Everything is going to be alright now," I told them and squished them in a hug which they gladly returned. I stood up tall then and noticed Dylan and his parents approaching me.
"Congratulations Skylar," Mr. Martin smiled at me and offered his hand. I shook it feeling the cold roughness of his skin before releasing it quickly.
"We're happy that you're dating our son," Mrs. Martin grinned and shook my hand also. Her hand was much smaller than her husband's but still somewhat cold
"Thank you. It's my pleasure really," I stated politely. Dylan took my hand and led me somewhere a little quieter then.
"I'm going to miss you so much," he said pulling me to him and burying his face in my hair.
"I'll miss you too," I agreed.
"What will I do without you?"
"Live. Focus on school. Don't stop living for me Dylan because you're not losing me. I'm yours and I will be coming back to you," I assured him.
"You promise?" he sounded scared.
"Cross my heart and hope to die," I whispered looking up at him. There were tears in his eyes and my heart broke at that, "No, no, no, at least save that for tomorrow."
"I love you Skylar. I will always love you no matter where in the world you are or who you're with. If you were to come to me I'd never refuse you," he stared deep into my eyes.
"I love you too Dylan, so much it hurts," I kissed him passionately. He pulled away and pressed his forehead against mine, "You'll be coming to see me tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah," he said sounding unsure.
But if he was coming to the airport to see me off, why did this feel like an unofficial goodbye?