Down End Road

1 week later

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I watched from the library window as Alex was waved off by well wishers. His bags were strapped to the roof rack of Maverick's car and his bike was attached to a trailer behind it.

Maverick and Alex had decided to road trip it to Aveyard, California. I wished them luck being crammed into a car together for three days.

"You alright?" Ally asked behind me. I abruptly spun on my heel towards her. She was in a cute white summer dress that made her look angelic.

"Yeah, why?" I countered, a crack in my voice. Ally pursed her lips in sympathy.

"That's why. It's not too late you know, to ask him to come to Maine." She said. "He'd love the weather, it would remind him of England." She added perkily, walking to come beside me at the window.

I scoffed. "He doesn't actually prefer rain, he just is used to it being associated with home." I muttered.

We remained silent, watching silently out the window as the two boys checked over everything.

"One day, when this all calms down, we'll be able to be happy won't we?" I asked, concern etched onto my tan face that had brightened considerably with the amount of sleep I was getting.

Ally turned to face me completely. "You're not happy?" She replied, her concern reaching astronomical levels.

I sighed. "I am, its just... I wanna be able to be happy with Alex. You know, without fearing for his constant death all the time." I joked, not lightening the serious mood.

Her small body wrapped around mine as she hugged me from the side. "Some day, we will all be able to relax." Ally promised, in her lulling southern accent.

I held onto that small flutter of hope. My small smile cracked into a grin when Alex looked to me and nodded his goodbye. Any teary goodbye I could've made, would never compare to the emotion in that one nod. It was so strange, but so very us. I nodded back. That goodbye was everything.

It was our promise. Our declaration of love. But most importantly, it was us giving each other hope.

Abigail was Johns hope, Alex was mine. That would never change.

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So I just finished my first ever book on the 3.03.22 I am so thankful for all of you who stuck with it. I am so thankful to @emmancassie for being one of the first people to comment. I am so grateful for a friend who has encouraged me, you know who you are ;). But mostly, I am grateful to everyone of you who survived past chapter 1, to my first reader in Germany, I think? You guys really made this happen. So let's celebrate this 954 reads and 71 chapters with a toast to you guys and a toast to me.

Also...

There will be a sequel. I'm not so cruel as to leave you hanging. Happy Reading adventures my book junkies. <3.