NOTE: (IMPORTANT) Many of you didn't get the notification of my last update so please do read Chapter 34 before reading this. You might not understand this chapter that well, otherwise.

Oh and there is one question I wanted to ask you all. If I get this book published, will you guys buy it?

(Please be honest)

Anyway, enjoy!

QOTD

Chapter |35|

I had never thought in my entire life that choices could be this difficult to make.

After my mother's death, it was really simple for me to choose. With me having no one to depend upon, I made choices that made me happy. There wasn't any case where I had two things to choose from. It was always either black or white.

That is why applying for London and everything had been so easy to decide. There wasn't anything that had the power to hold me back.

But as I stared into Daniel's grey orbs, with my heart running a marathon, I could sense an invisible pull that held the power to change my decision. The nerves in my body went haywire as I repeated his words in my mind.

Was this a dream?

A part of me wished it wasn't while the logical part of me wished it was, because if this turned out to be a dream, I could always pretend that Daniel didn't have any sort of feelings for me and that he didn't care whether I left or not.

But the thrashing of my heart, proved that it wasn't what the rational part of me wanted.

That it, in fact, was real.

"I..." I trailed of, unable to find words to say. What could I say, anyway?

Daniel gave me a slight smile before speaking.

"I know it would've been too selfish for me to ask you to stay so I kept my mouth shut. As much as I don't want you to go, it's not right for me to hold you back because you deserve a break from what you've been through," he said, making my insides melt.

As if they weren't melted enough, what he said made me want to turn into a puddle of goo.

"It's too bad though. I wasted too much time in building a fortress around who I actually am that before I could bring all of it down, you're going. But that doesn't change the fact that I really like you, fortress or not,"he said, looking up at the sky.

If I wasn't speechless earlier, this was definitely the moment when I lost my ability to speak. He liked me. He said that he really liked me.

My mouth opened and closed like a gaping fish as I struggled to speak. 

I know that he didn't say that he loved me, given my reaction but I wasn't even expecting that. I mean, we had known each other for barely a month and a half and love was too big of a word to use right now.

You couldn't fall in love in just a month. Even science stated that a crush that lasted for more than four months was still eligible to be identified as love. But I wasn't anyone to judge either. I'd never felt what love was and could be like.

I looked at Daniel, whose face was being illuminated by the light as the day took over. I knew for sure that I did feel something deep for him. I didn't know what it was but it did effect me in ways I'd never been affected.

"Let's go back. Its already day and mom will wonder where we disappeared to,"Daniel spoke and got up.

He offered his hand to me and I took it wordlessly, my stomach doing flips inside my body. He didn't let go even when I got up.

Instead, he quietly pulled me along as we waled down the path back to the house. My nerves sent jitters down my spine as I contemplated something. I stared blankly ahead, without realising when we reached the back door of the house.

"So I guess I should let you go get some rest," Daniel said, not looking at me. "And about the part when I said that- I mean what I meant when I said that I really liked you- I mean when I said I like you, still do, that was just what I felt for you. I don't want you to feel obligated to give me a response and-"

I shut him up by grabbing the collars of his polo and bringing his face close to mine. "I don't know why I'm doing this since I'm leaving, but just know that I really like you too."

Finally uttering the words I'd kept pressed inside me, I lifted my lips up to meet his soft and warm ones. I didn't know what I would feel after doing this, but for the time being, to hell with the consequences.

With that thought in mind, I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him impossibly closer to me as I moved my lips against his in a bone melting kiss.

***

"I'll be back in five minutes. Shout for me if you need any help," Emma smiled and I nodded back giving her a smile back. 

Emma had surprisingly been very supportive of my decision to leave. Even though I had been very nervous to face her, she didn't make me feel bad about making the decision to leave. She understood me, just like a mother would.

I turned my gaze to the shoe box near the bed table. I bit my lip as I quickly picked it up. I opened it to reveal the worn out pair of shoes. Three grey stripes that ran up the sides of both of them ended near the laces which were pretty old. I smiled as I remembered mom wearing these whenever she went for her runs before being caged by her sickness.

These were her favourite ones. And mine too.

I only used them for my races because that's when I felt free and somehow closer to mom.

I closed the box, making sure to stick the note on top of the box securely. I went out, scanning the hallway to see if anyone was there. Daniel wasn't home since Emma had made him go grocery shopping.

I quietly tip toed to his room, hesitating before opening it. Once I did, I quickly went in and quickly placed the box under his bed, beside his other shoes. Without wasting any more time, I ran out and into my room before shutting the door.

I don't know what made me do it, but I guess it was a way of leaving a part of me here, with the people I cared about.

Releasing the breath that I was unknowingly holding, I turned my gaze back to the unzipped suitcase that was on my bed. Sighing, I pressed it down, trying to close it before my clothes spilled out again. It was a bit worn out since it was the only big one I owned.

It had been my fifth try after Emma to close this suitcase but it wasn't ready to budge.

Growling in frustration, I gave up and sat down on the bed, tired. As it is I hadn't had any sleep and the kiss with Daniel... I shook my head as I tried to get the thoughts out of my mind, though I could feel my cheeks burning at the thought.

Not the time to get distracted.

Taking a deep breath, I tried once again. Putting all my strength into my arms, I pushed it down and quickly zipped it. I made a shout of victory as I managed to finally close it. I heard a crack but before I could see what made that noise, a knock on the door made me pause. Thinking that it was Emma, I hollered "Come in," without giving a glance to the door.

I made myself busy by picking up the clothes that I was leaving behind and stuffing them into another bag.

It was only when someone cleared their throat that I turned to look behind. I froze as I saw Andrew standing there awkwardly, fidgeting with his t-shirt.

"I see you've decided to go," he said, though in a soft voice.

"Andrew, listen-" I started but he interrupted me.

"No, no. I want you to listen to me first. I'm sorry for behaving like an ass earlier. I was being too selfish. You didn't deserve being treated the way I treated you and for that, I'm extremely sorry," he said, looking down, not meeting my eyes.

I smiled and unable to control myself, I went ahead and hugged him tightly. "You don't need to apologise. It was my fault too, you know. I just kind of threw the news at you. I'm sorry for hiding it for so long," I apologised as he wrapped his arms around me.

"Thank God. I thought you'd never want to see me after that day," he mumbled and I couldn't help but smile.

I smiled in relief because I would've really regretted not being able to make up with Drew. I felt some sort of peace return inside me as i hugged him tighter.

***

"I say pink."

"Psshh no. The blue and red one," Andrew butt in.

I groaned in frustration as I watched Chloe and Andrew glare at each other, fighting over the colour I should pick.

We were at a shop where they sold suitcases. Apparently, because I had put too much pressure on the suitcase, the zips broke and the canvas part of it tore. Emma offered to buy a new one for me.

I brought Andrew, Chloe and Daniel along which was a really big mistake. You should never bring two kids along.

"You're saying pink because you're a girl and still in your barbie phase," Andrew accused, pointing a finger at Chloe who matched his glare.

"And you're saying blue because you're a boy and still in your Superman stage."

"Am not," Andrew argued.

"Oh yeah? Then why did I find you washing your Superman boxers in the backyard, a week back with your "special" soap?" Chloe retorted, crossing her arms.

Andrew turned red as he narrowed his eyes at the sassy seven-year old. And it didn't help when Daniel and I simultaneously asked-

"You have a special soap for your boxers?"

"You wash your clothes in the backyard?" I asked bewildered at the revelation.

It was Chloe who answered. "He has a soap that smells like lilies just for the boxers and he washed just those boxers separately in his special place in his backyard," she revealed, making us burst out in laughter.

"But how do you know all this?" Daniel asked in between laughs and Andrew turned another shade of red.

"I caught him doing that the day mom left me to his place to baby sit him," she said, crossing her arms with a huff as Drew glared at the little girl.

"I told you not to tell this to anyone!" Drew said grumpily.

"And you promised to give me a box of my favourite candies," she retorted.

I fell into another round of laughter at that. It was nice to laugh a bit freely, for a change. We laughed as the two of them bickered non stop.

Daniel was enjoying this as well. 

How I wish it could be like this all the time. It can be, if you stay. 

I shook my head. I couldn't stay. Not when everything had been organised and planned. Not until I completely got over my past and family issues.

These thoughts ceased my laughter and reduced my smile into a slight grimace. Daniel noticed my sudden change of mood and quietly captured my hand in his.

My head snapped up to look at him in surprise, but he just gave me a slight smile and entwined our fingers together, making my stomach somersault. My grimace forgotten, I let my lips curve into a small smile, despite the havoc inside my stomach.

My mind flooded with the memories of the morning kiss. My stomach fluttered as I replayed the scene over and over. I could feel a blush rising up my cheeks. I bit my lip and willed myself to flush out the images, instead focusing on something else.

I watched all of the people I cared for, taking in every detail of them because I wasn't sure when I'd get to see them after today. There was technology to keep in touch but nothing compared to being close to them.

A very familiar ringtone brought me put of my reverie as I searched for the phone in my pockets, letting Daniel's hand go, much to my reluctance.

Once I found it, I slid the answer button.

"Hello?" I spoke, waiting for the other person to answer.

"Skylar? Are you ready? Its time to go," Mr. Henderson's voice echoed through the phone, he words making me freeze.

Suddenly my mind clouded with doubts that I didn't know how to clear. My stomach twisted and I closed my eyes. I looked at the faces of Andrew, Chloe and Daniel. Contradicting thoughts submerged my mind, making it hard for me to calm myself down.

You can stay.

You need a fresh start.

You can be happy here with the people you care for.

You can be happier without the burden of your past.

I clenched my eyes shut as the battle of my thoughts increased. Why was I suddenly having second thoughts? Why couldn't I choose?

All you have to do is refuse.

All you have to do is go.

You owe it to them.

You owe it to yourself.

I opened my eyes. I owed it to myself.

Without letting my head say anything else, I took a deep breath and spoke into the phone.

"I'm coming."

THE END

I'm sorry if the chapter came out weird in any part. It's already 4:23 AM here so kindly excuse me for any sort of weirdness in the chapter. I will be editing it later.

Okay, okay before you guys get ready to pounce on me, LISTEN TO ME FIRST!!!

I'm not particularly fond of sad endings but I felt that Skylar needed to go. Plus I feel that Daniel and Skylar still need time to find themselves and discover new possibilities of what they can achieve before committing themselves to anyone.

Before you get ready to attack me, THERE IS MORE.

Now, you all have an option to choose from.

1) Either I give you all an epilogue. (Where I show you a time when Daniel and Skylar meet once again and all)

OR

2) You want a proper sequel.

Now, keep in mind that I can't do both so the one with the maximum comments, will be chosen. So... go ahead and comment which one you all want.

Thank you guys for being with me throughout the wonderful journey of TCBB. I love you all so much <3

In case if you guys don't want to get rid of me (even though I can be annoying) you may check out another book that I've started, called Maven.