Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Three

Ren

Last day in the university. Unlike other people, I don't look forward to the last day. To others, it means summer and days of no more classes, antagonizing professors and cramming a term paper. But to me, it means leaving what I do best behind.

I have always been great with school, especially in college. I love studying and doing term papers. It can be stressful and frustrating, no doubt about that, but for the past twenty years of my life all I've been doing is studying, well, except on summer. Now that college is officially over, what now?

Austin is finishing off with his boxes while I stand by the window watching other graduates stow their boxes in their cars and say their goodbyes to their friends.

"You should really start packing," Austin nods at the empty boxes on my bed.

I nod and walk over to them. I start with the things on my desk. I grab my books and carefully put them in the box. After filling the box, I tape it shut with some duct tape. I grab my suitcase and open it up. I walk to my dresser and grab my clothes before laying them down neatly on my suitcase.

"You barely said a word since you woke up. What's on your mind?" Austin wraps his arms around my waist and kisses me on the temple. He turns me around so I'm facing him. He brings his hand up to my chin and tilts it up so I'm looking into his green eyes.

"It's our last day. Let's not spend the day frowning, alright?" he tugs on the corners of my lip and I laugh. "There's that beautiful smile of yours."

"Do you need help packing?" he asks.

I nod, "Please."

He lifts the box on my bed and puts it on the ground. He takes the bed sheet out and fold it effortlessly. He puts it inside an empty box and does the same with my comforter. I continue packing my clothes. I go to the bathroom for my toiletry bag. I put my toothbrush inside before putting it in my suitcase. I zip my suitcase shut before helping Austin with my other things.

After packing everything up, Austin leaves to grab two carts while I label my boxes. Austin comes back and we load to boxes on the carts. I take one last look at my room. So many memories in this room. Meeting Austin, him stealing my bed, finding out about my father, losing my v-card and many more.

"I'm going to miss this room," Austin says as he intertwines his hand with mine.

I lean my head on his shoulder and smile. "I remember stealing your bed," he chuckles and I hit him lightly on the chest.

"I also remember you with green hair," I laugh and he frowns.

"I remember the stink bomb," he smiles proudly at his prank and I punch him on the arm. He winces, "Ow! Geez, princess. You don't see me punching you when you tease me."

"Because I'm a girl," I stick my tongue out.

"Very mature," he rolls his eyes.

I put my hands on my hips. "Just like you were when you decided to throw a stink bomb in here?" I raise my eyebrow and he narrows his eyes at me.

"Touche."

I laugh and turn back to my room. I'm going to miss this room so much. I never thought I'd care so much about a room. But considering the million memories I have in this one, it's different. It's like leaving a big chunk of my life behind.

"You ready?" Austin squeezes my hand.

My eyes start to water but I fight the tears. I nod. "Yeah, let's go." We head out the door and Austin closes it, locking it. Austin pushes his cart and I follow behind him with my cart. We head to the elevator then down to the lobby. I stop by Martha.

She smiles at me and I can see it in her eyes, she's been crying. "Hi Martha," I smile as I approach her.

She starts crying again and pulls me into a hug. "Oh, Ren. I'm going to miss you."

I hug her back. "I'm going to miss you more, Martha."

She pulls away with her hands on her shoulders. He turns to Austin. "You take good care of her, alright?" she tells him.

He nods firmly. "Will do, Martha."

She turns back to me and smiles. "He's a keeper," she whispers at me and I laugh.

"I've heard that before," I laugh.

She pulls me into another hug. "This isn't goodbye, so I'll see you soon, okay?"

I nod on her shoulders. "I'll see you soon."

We pull away and Austin and I push our cart outside. I see Alanna and Adam loading their stuff in Adam's car. I guess, Alanna's going with Adam. I wave at them before walking towards my car that's parked beside Austin's.

Austin goes to his and I go to mine. I pop the trunk open and start loading. Austin comes up behind me and helps me with the heavy boxes. He closes the trunk and I press the lock key.

Austin claps his hands. "That's all of it." He grabs my hand and we walk together to Alanna and Adam.

"Hi guys," I smile at the both them. They finish loading their boxes in the car and Adam tries to shut the door, but fails. He leans his entire body on the door to close it. "How's it going, Adam?" I mock him.

He frowns. "Not good as you can see."

Austin releases my hand and walks over to Adam. Austin puts his hands on the door and gives it one push and the trunk closes. Adam lets out a breath of relief. He wipes his forehead with the back of his hand.

"Well, you could have done that earlier," Adam sighs in relief before patting Austin on the back, thanking him.

I turn around when I hear Travis and Megan loading their stuff by Austin's car. They head over towards us afterwards. Travis claps Austin at the back and fist-bumps Adam. Alanna hugs Megan before hugging me. I look around at the small circle consisting five important people in my life.

"This is it now, huh?" Alanna asks softly.

This is college. College prepares you for your careers and whatnots but this is one thing it doesn't prepare you for: leaving. College doesn't prepare you for the separation of you and your friends.

I always thought when college was over, Megan and I would leave together. But here we are. Megan will be leaving with Travis, Alanna with Adam and me with the last person I thought I'd be leaving with, Austin Lancer.

"Call me once you've arrived in the Bahamas, alright" Megan tells me.

Right. Austin decided to take to the Bahamas as a summer kickoff. Exciting, really. I've never been to the Bahamas. And it'll be another great first with Austin.

"Come here you losers," Travis pulls us all in a group hug.

"I'm not a person for a group hugs," Austin proclaims.

"Shut up, Austin." Adam tells him.

This is it. I can't tell the future nor rewind the past, but I can live at this moment right here and right now. Without these people right in front of me, I'd be lost. I wouldn't have been able to find who I was. And I'm forever eternally grateful for them.

I thought last days would be filled with tears. But as I look around in our little circle of friends, all I see are smiles. I start to have a flashback to the first times I met these people...

I met Austin on the night he stole my bed. I remember hoping and wishing I'd wake up to only myself in the room, to perhaps start a good day but no, I had to wake up to a stink bomb.

I met Travis and Adam the day I almost died from the stink bomb. Luckily that day, Austin didn't go with Travis' plan to chop my hair off.

And I met Alanna on the hallway when I was on my way to Travis' party. And with Megan, we go all the way back.

Now to come to think of it, all of this happened because of one guy. This one guy who is responsible for everything that happened to me this year. This one guy who taught me how to love. I smile reminiscing the times we spent together. All these things happened because I was roommates with Austin Lancer.

The End.