SYDNEY AND ETHAN ! 
( chapter twelve )

       NO MATTER HOW MUCH SYDNEY HATED to admit, she knew she would miss this town she'd spent so many years trying to get out of. She'd miss the way she was favoured, fighting with Devi, Ethan. 

She and Ethan had tried spending the summer together as much as they could; with the time they had. But it still didn't feel enough. It felt incomplete as a whole, and honestly, she was heartbroken to be leaving him. 

And now, here she and her parents stood in the center of the airport. 

Of course, Sydney's mother had a tissue clutched in hand as tears pricked at her eyes. While her father looked down at her with pride. "We're so proud of you, Sydney." 

Sydney hadn't heard the words often, and they were so nice to hear, however, Sydney couldn't overcome to sadness swelling in her belly from the fact that she wouldn't be able to see Ethan and say goodbye. She attempted a smile, but it was visibly a poor attempt, since her lips barely curled. 

       "I can't believe you're going to be halfway across the world and leaving for college." Her mother sniffled, a tear sliding down the side of her face. "My only daughter." 

Sydney rolled her eyes. "Mom, I'll be back in a few months for Thanksgiving." 

She sighed. "I know, but... it won't be the same." 

Sydney would miss her mother's emotional self, and her father's semantics, deep down. But right now, honestly, all she wanted to do was get on that plane and go. 

She pulled her parents in for a hug and took in a long breath, savouring their scent for what will be the last time for three months. "I have to go. I don't want to miss the plane." 

She felt her mother sigh once more beneath her, holding on longer than she should have while her father stepped back. "Angela, we have to let her go." 

The brunette gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek before ultimately parting from her. "Be safe, okay?" 

A light groan escaped the girl's lips. "Mom!" 

The woman took a final step back and apologized. 

Sydney sighed. "I love you guys." 

They returned the words, and for a second, hesitation hit Sydney right in the gut. Almost like a punch. And it was a funny feeling, for the first time, she'd doubted leaving California.

She took a final deep breath and nodded, motioning a silent thank you and goodbye all in one before stepping in line to go through security. 

She'd felt something bubbling in her stomach as she waited in that line, she'd looked around her and all she could see were couples either reuniting or parting; and it only reminded her of her unresolved goodbye with Ethan. 

Sighing, another person passed through security and it was just one step closer to a new life. 

     "Syd!" A voice called out from behind her, she turned around only to see a crowd of people pushing past one another to enter the airport. "Sydney!" 

Then, she saw Ethan. 

The world stopped and it was perfect. Ethan was rushing toward her, brown hair disarrayed and his flannel rugged and wrinkled. 

When he finally met her, the first thing he did was apologize. "I had to skate here, and--" 

She cut him off, her fist wrapping around his black flannel and pulling him close to her. She brought her hand to the back of his neck and their lips connected and it was all she could have asked for. 

This was worth it. This would be worth it. Sydney realized she'd wait decades if it meant she got this kiss in the end. 

Ethan's hand cupped her cheek and the feel of his rings brought a smile to her face as she pulled away. She was utterly breathless and so caught in the moment, she didn't quite know what to say. She could only smile as adrenaline rushed through her veins.

A loose laugh escaped Ethan's wet lips. "Where'd that come from?" 

She shook her head, truly unknowing. She had felt like an entirely new person in this moment as if her life going forward would only be positive and she'd forever be changed for good. "We're going to make this work, right?" 

He nodded, a smile reappearing on his face. "We will." 

She exhaled a deep breath. "I love you, Ethan." 

He raised an eyebrow, his hand returning to the side of her face as his thumb caressed the crook of her jawline. "Oh yeah?" 

Her grin only grew, a giggle making it's way out of her. "Yeah." 

His brown eyes danced acrossed her face and she wasn't sure she's ever seen his eyes so soft yet so focused. "What did I do to deserve you, Syd?" 

She didn't say anything, and instead, she grabbed his opposite hand and squeezed it. "You don't." 

His lips parted as he let out a fake gasp. "You are an atomic bitch, Sydney Gilmore." 

The two shared one last laugh and in that moment, they both knew no matter what life threw their way, they'd be okay. 

They always would be Sydney and Ethan. The annoying on-and-off couple from high school. 

Sydney and Ethan. 

the end