{The song in the description is the song I was listening to while writing this chapter, and it inspired me. I was listening to my friend sing it, but here is the vesion from Peter Pan Live.}
The next few weeks were kind of boring, Jessie and Cal made up after a week of the silent treatment. We all just hung out and Mike and I went out a little bit, but none of it made this day any easier. I wake up, and I see him sitting at the edge of the bed, his shoulders shaking slightly.
"Mikey,"
"Babe, you're up," he says. He wipes away the tears and tries to look like he wasn't crying.
"What time is it?" I ask, grabbing my phone.
"3 hours," he answers. He knows that that's exactly why I asked. I lay back down, and read through my notifications.
"Ugh," he groans. He then proceeds to get up and throw more stuff into his bag. I get up and use the bathroom, and then toss him his toothbrush.
"What will I do without you?" he laughs lightly.
"I don't know," I answer, wrapping a blanket around myself and walking downstairs where Daryl was making pancakes.
"Good morning," he says.
"Morning," I say, pouring myself a glass of juice. We have a light conversation until Michael hauls his suitcase down the stairs.
"Need some help?" I laugh.
"I've got it," I says, pulling it to the entrance hall. He joins me at the breakfast nook, and his father excuses himself.
"I'm going to miss you so much," I sob, wrapping my arms around his neck. He snakes his long arms around my body and squeezes me tight.
"You'll be able to fly out, I know it," he says.
"I'm just so upset that I won't see you," I say.
"So am I. But I will text you every day. And call at least once a week," he promises.
"You better," I say, loosening my grip around him.
"Can I tell you a secret," he asks, getting up and getting a glass of juice.
"Shoot," I answer.
"Well do you remember that first time I said 'I love you'? In Lauren's backyard?"
"How could I forget?" I ask, the day feels like yesterday.
"Well, I just want you to know that I meant it fully. Like everyday since then I've fallen more and more deeply in love with you,"
"Mikey, are you trying to make me cry?"
"Well no, i just want you to know that. That, and I stole your Iron Maiden shirt," he laughs.
"Ugh I hate you," I laugh. I walk upstairs to get dressed, and just looking through the drawers and closet without his things there is really hard. He left me a few t shirts and a flannel, but it's still not the same. I put on some skinny jeans and a cute top and head into the bathroom to get started on my makeup. I open the drawer, and there's a post-it.
I love you, gorgeous.
I smile, and apply my makeup with a smile. That just made my day. I walk downstairs where all the others have congregated. I say my hellos and hugs and such, and we all just sort of stand there wrapped in each other's arms. I suggest we move to the living room, and there's murmered agreement.
"Thanks for that note, babe," I say. He gives me a smile and I blush. We all just hang out as a movie drones on in the background. We have a nice laugh, and we all know what must be coming. Finally, the dreaded text arrives.
"Guys," Ashton says, suddenly serious. We all groan in response, knowing exactly what's coming.
"20 minutes," he answers. I nuzzle my face into Michael's neck and the tears start coming.
"No crying," he whispers into my hair.
"I'm sorry. I love you, and I'll miss you," I say, giving him a kiss before going to hug the girls. Lauren tells me to call her if my mum shows up, and Dani does the same. Jessie thanks me for housing her and keeping her sane when she was acting crazy, and she tells me to make sure to text her every day. I say of course, and when I pull away, I see all the girls' eyes have glossed over. I give them all hugs again, and move on to the boys. I give Luke a hug and tell him to treat Lauren well, yadda yadda. I finish with 'I'll miss you.' and then I pull away, and give him another quick hug. I give Ashton a hug, and he tells me to stay safe from my mum. I assure him I'll call if anything happens, and he nods. Calum and Mike will be the hardest goodbyes.
"Cal," I whisper, pulling him close.
"You better call me all the time, and don't do anything stupid," he whispers.
"Of course," I assure. Ashton says that the van was here, and they all file out. Mike stays and gives Ash the 'one minute' sign.
"Babe," he says, wiping the tear away.
"You have your passport?"
"Of course," he assures. {HA}
"I'm going to miss you so fucking much," I say, a tear finally making its way down my cheek as I pull him in for a hug.
"You don't know how much I'm hurting right now," he says. I pull away, and there are tears in his eyes, and I pull him in for another hug. I breathe in his smell once more. Luke shouts out of the van, and I stand on my tiptoes to give Mike a goodbye kiss.
"I'm not one for goodbye kisses. But maybe this once," he says, pressing his lips onto mine. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
"Goodbye, Mikey Mouse,"
"Bye, Kitten,"
"I love you,"
"I love you so much," he says, closing the door. I look out the window as he puts his suitcase away, and goes into the car with heavy feet.
"I'm really going to miss you," I whisper to myself.
❣