"I don't want to leave you. I just got you back."
We were laying in bed wrapped up in each other's arms. Henry's bandmates were probably going to be up soon and wanting to get on the road. We were on borrowed time.
"I don't want you to leave either."
"Will you come visit me next weekend. Bill is going to visit Jane so we'll have the apartment to ourselves."
"I would love that. I'll have to check the bus schedule."
Henry reached over and grabbed his phone off of the nightstand.
"There's a bus at 6:30 Friday evening. Can you make that?"
"Yeah, that's the one I will probably pick."
"Booked."
"What? You bought my ticket? I could have got it."
"I wanted to get it for you."
I knew it was pointless to argue with him since he already paid for the bus ticket and we didn't have that much more time before we had to say goodbye.
"Why don't you stay the whole week? Didn't you say you had off? We can plan some day trips. Or just spend all our time in bed."
"You really want me to stay the whole week?"
"I wish you could stay the rest of the summer but I'll take whatever I can get."
"Okay, so we just have to get through the next six days. That's not so bad, I guess."
"It's terrible. But we can do it."
We laid there for a little while longer until there was a knock on the door.
"Yo Henry, we're leaving in like 30 minutes."
"Alright, I'll be down in a little while."
I felt like I was going to cry. I hated this. Henry kissed my forehead and jumped out of bed. I watched as he pulled up his jeans and gathered up the rest of his stuff.
"I'm going to go take a quick shower. Don't move. I'll be back in 10 minutes."
I got up out of bed and pulled my pajamas out of my bag and put them on. I noticed that it was now pouring rain outside. The weather matched the mood I was suddenly in.
Henry returned a few minutes later with a wet head and fresh clothes on. He took my face in his hands and kissed me slowly and softly. My tears finally started falling. Henry wiped them with his thumb.
"Don't cry Em. It's only six days. I hate leaving you when you're upset."
"I'll be okay. I just wish we had more time."
"Me too. Walk me out?"
I followed him out of the room and down the steps. His friends were waiting for him at the front door. I didn't care if they saw me crying. Jess came walking down the hallway to say goodbye to everyone. Henry hugged me one last time and left with a promise to call me when he got home. I felt so empty as soon as the door closed. This was going to be a rough week.
Jess hugged me when she saw how upset I was. In the light of day, I felt immensely grateful to Jess for pushing me back to Henry. It was so strange that the person who so adamantly opposed our relationship at first turned out to be our biggest supporter.
"Jess, thank you. For everything. You gave me the best gift anyone has ever given to me."
"I just want you to be happy. You deserve it more than anyone I know. Henry is good for you. He brings out this side of you that you usually keep hidden away. It's like you are finally able to be the real you."
"I love him so much. It's almost overwhelming. I can't believe I thought I could go on with my life without him."
"When you finally find love, you have to fight for it. It's not always easy."
"Thank you O wise one." I said sarcastically.
We both started giggling. I never thought I would be getting relationship advice from Jess. Nick really changed her. I was glad she found someone that made her happy.
"I was hoping we could just sit by the pool all day but the weather isn't cooperating. How about we go out and get something to eat and maybe do some shopping. I just need to finish cleaning up first."
"Okay, I'll help."
We cleaned up the mess leftover from the party last night and got dressed. I was glad I had Jess to distract me from missing Henry. After everyone else went home, she took me to a diner that wasn't too far from her house. It was nice to finally spend some time with just her.
"Jess, how are things with Nick? How are you two handling long distance?" I was hoping to get some more good advice.
"It sucks. But you do whatcha gotta do. He came to visit me at the end of June and I am going to see him next week. I miss him like crazy. He's working for his uncle's construction company so he's super busy and when he does have free time to talk on the phone, he's so tired that he barely says two words. I can't believe I'm saying this but I can't wait to get back to school." She let out a big sigh and I could tell she was having a hard time.
"Me too. And not just because of Henry. I miss you and Jane. And I love my mom but I'm used to living on my own now. It's annoying having to let her know what I'm doing all the time. I'm used to just coming and going as I please."
"Oh my god I know! My parents are the same way. They didn't know what I was doing for nine months and now that I'm here, they want to know every move I make. My dad flipped out on me the other night because I came home late for dinner."
"I'm looking forward to having an apartment too. No more sharing a shower with a bunch a people and being able to prepare my own food." I could almost taste the freedom waiting for me.
"Ugh the next six weeks cannot go quick enough."
"Have you talked to Melissa at all?" I felt bad with how things played out with her, especially because Jess was so close with her.
"A little. I freaked out on her after she told Henry about you having dinner with Liam. We didn't talk for a while after that. But she's texted me a few times recently since we are living together again this year." She bit into her sandwich and I felt guilty.
"I'm sorry you are in the middle of it."
"Don't apologize! You didn't do anything wrong. It's all her. She crossed the line. I'm hoping she comes around and apologizes to you like I did." I'm so glad I had her support. Being on Jess's bad side is a very lonely place to be.
"Yeah I'm not holding my breath." We both grew silent as we ate our lunch but that never lasts long with Jess.
"Have you talked to Liam?" I'm surprised it took her so long to bring him up.
"Not really. He's doing that internship at an engineering firm. He sent me a couple texts just saying hi. I think he finally got the hint that I just wanted to be friends."
"I haven't heard from him at all and he hasn't been posting anything online. I guess he's really busy. I'm still pissed he tried to kiss you when you were drunk. It was such a douchey thing to do." Again, never get on Jess's bad side!
"I know but he apologized. I'm not big on holding grudges."
We finished our food and continued to talk for two hours. I didn't realize how much I had missed hanging out with Jess. I didn't have any friends at home that knew what I had been through with Henry. It felt good to be around someone who knew the whole story.
When we finally left the diner, Jess took me shopping. The rain finally broke around dinner time so we went back to her house to hang out by the pool the rest of the day. It was impossible to be around Jess and feel sad. She was exactly what I needed to distract me.