Goodbye

{Welcome to the last chapter of Step Sisters.}

"Girls, it's time to wake up" My mother knocks on the door.

"No, not yet," I say. I hear my mom walk in but I refuse to open my eyes.

"It's too early" Jessie stirs in my arms.

"What time is it?" I ask.

"Eight. Jessie has to go set up for the party. I wish I could let you two sleep" My mom says.

Our 3 am together last night went well past 5 am. The sun was starting to come up by the time we fell asleep. I would appreciate a few extra minutes of sleep.

"Just five more minutes," I say.

"Take all the time you need," My mom says.

"In that case, I'm keeping her forever" I pull her in closer to me.

"You know that's not what I meant plus it's a felony," My mom says.

I finally open my eyes and sit up slightly with Jessie still lying on me. "Fine I guess I won't commit any felonies today"

"Get ready, I'll give you two some alone time" My mother walks out of the room, closing the door behind her.

"It's still so weird," I say.

"What?" Jessie asks.

"My mom seeing us like this," I say motioning to the way we were laying.

Jessie shrugs her shoulders slightly. "Alright I do need to set up for this party" She sits up.

"Just five more minutes?" I ask.

"Go get ready and then I'll give you your 5 more minutes" She stands up disappearing into my bathroom.

I roll my eyes and go to my closet, picking out a sweatshirt and shorts. It is still hot and humid outside but I know I'm gonna want a sweatshirt. I throw my clothes on quickly then Jessie comes out. We practically switch places. I go into the bathroom and brush my teeth while she changes.

Once we're ready I go back into my room. "So that five minutes?" I ask.

"I'm all yours," She says.

I tackle her down to the bed, and she is surprised. "Harper, what are you doing?" She laughs.

I don't respond, I just pull her in for a kiss. She kisses me back. After a couple of seconds, she pulls away. I place a kiss on her jawbone.

"Watch the neck, you did a number on me last night" She jokes.

I pull her hair back revealing the hickey on her neck. I probably shouldn't have done that right there. "Consider it something to remember me by"

"Oh I'll treasure it forever, especially when my father questions me about it later" She laughs.

"Tell him if he has a problem with it, he knows where I live"

"Alright your five minutes are being cut short" She pushes me off of her and stands up. She pulls me in for a quick peck on the lips.

"I love you," She says, staring right into my eyes.

I feel tears threaten to fall. I push it back, I'll have all day to cry. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to save it for my pillow though. "I love you more," I say softly.

I give her one more small peck before we leave my room. We head downstairs, hand in hand. I grab my keys off the counter before heading back toward the stairs, stopping at the bottom.

"Mom, I'm going to drop Jessie off" I yell.

"Not without me" She practically runs out of her room.

"Mom, it's fine I can drive her," I say.

"Absolutely not. I'm not letting you do the car ride back alone" She says.

"Fine" There's no sense in arguing with her. Mother knows best or some shit.

"I'm going to grab my shoes, I'll be right back" Jessie lets go of my hand and runs up to my room.

After a couple of minutes, she comes back down. "Ready?" I ask.

She just shrugs. I grab her hand and the three of us head out. I sit in the back of my mom's car with Jessie. Her hand is lying on the seat, I put mine on top of hers lacing our fingers together

The car ride is quiet, not even the car radio is on. My mom tries to break it by asking Jessie about school but she obviously didn't want to talk about it. I swear I see tears forming in Jessie's eyes already. I rub circles around the back of her hand.

When we get to the grandparent's house all three of us get out.

"Jessie, it's been an honor having you this summer." My mom starts. I feel the tears forming right then and there. I'm not gonna do it, I'm not gonna cry yet. I bite my bottom lip. "I'm gonna miss having you sneak around my house and out of it at 3 in the morning" Jessie laughs. "But you were always awake at 7 for our morning coffee" My mom pulls her into a hug.

I didn't even know my mom and she did that. Maybe they're closer than I thought.

"Thanks for having me this summer. It really meant a lot to me," She says and hugs her back.

"My door is always open if you ever need anything and my phone is never on silent" My mom laughs. Her eyes were slightly wet.

"Thank you," Jessie says.

"Well, I'll leave you two to it" My mother gets back in the car.

"Hi," I say to her.

"Hi," She says back.

"I don't really know what to say" I look down, digging my foot into the ground.

"Am I finally the first person to make Harper, the queen of quick wit and comebacks not able to speak?" She jokes.

"Shhh you can't tell anyone about this" I joke but my vision starts to blur.

"I won't," She laughs, pulls me in for a hug. "I'm gonna miss you so much" Her voice cracks.

Shit, here they come. The first tear falls. I hug her as tight as I can. "I'm gonna miss you more"

No one said anything for a couple of moments. No one has to say anything. I know what we're both thinking and feeling. We just sit in the driveway hugging. I can't hold back the tears now. I feel bad for all the snot I'm getting on her shoulder. Another something to remember me by I guess. She lets go of the hug first. I reluctantly let go of her.

"I love you," She says, intertwining both of our hands together.

"I love you" I repeat.

I kiss her on the lips, staying there an extra few seconds, savoring every moment.

I pull away. "You're gonna be ok. I promise. I'll see you again, I have to come up just to eat a bagel with you" I say, wiping the tears from her eyes with my sleeves.

"I know. That just feels so far away" She bites the bottom of her lip.

"Can't argue with you there" I say.

It's time, I know but I don't want to say goodbye.

"Bye Harper." She says. "I'll make sure to call you every night"

"3 am. I'll be waiting" I say. I give her one more peck. "Bye Jessie"

She starts walking up to the front door. I watch her. She turns around and gives me a little wave before disappearing through the door.

I wipe my tears and stand there for a second before getting into the car.

"You're ok," My mom says, engulfing me in a hug.

I just sob into her arms, trying to catch my breath. My mom whispers an abundance of "It's gonna be ok", "you'll see her again", and "It's ok to be sad"

I finally gain some sort of composure, not much though, and wiggle out of her arms. "I'm ok," I say.

"We both know that isn't true"

I just shrug my shoulders. Jessie would be proud.

"It doesn't get any easier" My mom starts to drive away. She keeps talking when I don't say anything. "That Solace family is the hardest to say goodbye to"

"You should know, you're the pro" I laugh.

The car ride home is just as quiet as the one there. The only sound was my mother's hand rubbing my back. Her rings kept getting caught in the fabric.

We park in the driveway, I get right out of the car and go inside. My mom follows close behind me. I start heading up the stairs.

"Do you need anything?" She asks.

"To go back to sleep," I say.

"Goodnight Harper"

I open the door to my room, my head pounding and my eyes burning.

I would have just fallen to the floor crying if I hadn't noticed Jessie's sweatshirt sitting on my bed, nicely folded with an envelope on top. For a split second, I thought I would have another chance to see her.

I rip off my sweatshirt, to put hers on. Hers feels more comfortable. I sit on the edge of my bed and open the envelope.

Dear Harper,

I knew I wouldn't know what to say when we said goodbye so I'd figure I would write it here. You've taught me so much this summer I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank you. You taught me how to love, how to be a "cool" teenager, you taught me that I should put myself first sometimes, and most importantly that I should love myself, just the way I am. I've experienced so many milestones with you from my first kiss, first party, first drink, first club, first time. That's not even all of it. You were my rock, my best friend, and my girlfriend throughout everything this summer threw at us, and in the end, we made it out on top. I'm forever grateful we didn't have to end things but even if we did, I knew you still would have taken care of me. I loved all our kisses, cuddles, stolen moments, and stolen days. Your smile, your compassion, your protectiveness over people (especially me), and your love for Gossip Girl are just some of the things I love about you. You really are something special, Harper, and you've made me feel special. I love you. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.

See you soon,

Jessie

{We did it y'all, we made it to the end. Thanks for sticking around with me. Final authors note coming soon and go check out my profile tomorrow for a little surprise}