***
"Yes Kadij. Okay. Tuesday then. Thank you so much....yeah....bye." I hung up with a smile. I still couldn't believe it!
I'd be traveling for Washington on Tuesday. With my mom by my side.
There was a knock at my door and Megan walked in.
"Oh Harl, so you're really going away?" she pouted and came to hug me.
"Yeah. I have no choice, Meg. It's a golden opportunity."
"Right. Have you told the girls?"
"Not yet."
"Oh, okay."
I smiled at her and turned to get my towel.
"Gotta shower now."
"You'll be going out?"
"Yup. Last night with Lucas. Then tomorrow Rick."
"Mmm, nice. Okey. Lemme leave you then."
"Alright. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
She left my room and I went into the bath to shower. Lucas was to come get me soon.
As I washed myself, I heard my room's door opening. I stopped the shower.
"Who is it??" I asked.
"Me, me!" Lucas replied.
"Oh, you're here earlier than expected."
"Nope, I'm on time. I said nine. It's nine."
"Really?" I asked turning on the shower, "Didn't realise."
"Your showering?"
"Yeah..."
"Need help?" he joked.
"Ha–ha–ha, no thanks." I replied sarcastically and heard him chuckle.
"You told Rick?"
"Yeah."
"How did he react?"
"Um, pretty well. Than expected."
"Okay."
I rinsed the soap off me and stopped the running water.
I dried myself off and left the bathroom.
Lucas sat on my bed waiting. He smiled at me.
"How's my future star feeling?"
"Great. Awesome!"
"I see that. You spoke to Kadij?"
"Yup. I'm travelling Tuesday. Turn around." I ordered and he did so I could dress up.
"So how did you plan to do things?" he asked with his back to me.
"Monday I'll leave for Brooklyn. Bye bye Manhattan for good. Then Tuesday, my momma and I will be off."
"Wow. Seems so unreal that you'll leave."
"I know right. Seems so unreal I might not see you again."
"Oh, we'll see. Thanks to social media." he chuckled.
"Right."
"Only difference is I won't be able to hug you or feel you anymore."
"Oh, common Luke. Let's not make things harder than they are." I walked up to him from behind and kissed his cheek.
"You're done?"
"Yeah. Lemme wear my shoes so we go."
"Okay."
**
Lucas and I went to a restaurant at first where we had a good time and chatted.
"I honestly expected that Rick might get angry because you'll be leaving."
"I too. But he's great. I even told him our relationship couldn't continue and he took it well, though he was very upset."
Lucas stopped eating and stared at me.
"You broke up??" he asked surprised.
"Yeah. But then I'll still consider him my boyfriend until tomorrow night."
Lucas swallowed.
"You told him about..." he didn't finish his sentence.
"No, I didn't. I did not have the guts."
"Oh. Um, okay. Let's talk of something more fun. Okay? It's our last night together. After this let's go to the movies and then a club. What do you say?"
I smiled at him.
"I'm in."
Later that night, we had a great time. We danced and had fun to our satisfaction. I would miss him so much. He would always be my sweet Lulu.
**
Lucas left me at the beta house' door at past midnight.
"Tonight was great. Thanks, Lulu." I smiled and hugged him tight.
"Yeah, we did have a good time." he smiled back, "I'll try and see you tomorrow."
"Okay."
We were silent for a while and stared at each other. Gosh, I loved him. And I loved Rick too. Deep in me I was somewhat happy about leaving. It was too hard to chose between them and never had I been in such a condition.
"Can I, uh, kiss you one last time?" he muttered.
"I'm still with Rick." I chuckled, "Till tomorrow. So that's impossible."
He smirked at me.
"Harlem Rahim, you're doing me wrong. I swear. You'll be the end of me." he chuckled.
"Sorry. It's life." I teased and kissed his cheek, "Goodnight Luke."
"Goodnight, Harlem."
I turned to leave but he held my hand. I looked at him.
"What?"
"Um, since you'll be gone. I wanna repeat these same words to you again."
"What words?"
He smiled and reddened a little.
"I love you."
My heart skipped a beat. I smiled at him.
"That's– that's good to know."
"That's all you're gonna say?" he chuckled and I laughed.
"Hahahaha. Yup. Goodnight." I quickly said and entered the house and ran up to my room.
Of course I loved him too. Couldn't say it though. He probably knew. But as long as I was with Rick, I couldn't say it.
***
I spent the next day packing my stuff. It was really hard to believe that I'd be leaving. But it was better that way.
That night, Rick and I had a great time. We had a lot of fun too. He was a great guy I was gonna regret losing him so easily. But he deserved better too.
--
Later that night, at midnight, Rick and I were in front of the beta's door.
"Thank you for this night, Baby "
"Thank you too. I'll miss you so bad. Plus, this is the last time I'm seeing you. Got an early class tomorrow."
"Don't worry. Thank you so much for everything."
"I love you."
I smiled at him.
"Love you too." I held his face and we kissed. Our last kiss. It was long and passionate.
We then broke it.
"I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too."
"We'll stay in contact."
"Yes" I stretched my hand out, "Friends?"
He smiled.
"This hurts a little. But I have no choice. Friends."
He shook my hand. We hugged one last time and I watched him walk to his car and get in.
"Bye!" I said.
"Bye, Harlem."