The sound of light beeping rang out through the hospital room as a friendly nurse helped me pull a sling over my freshly patched arm.

   "Thanks, Miss." I said.

   The nurse gave me a nod and a smile before stepping out of the room, Hector leaning against the door frame after she was gone. "Ready to go?" He asked.

   I stood from the hospital bed. "Yeah... Let's go..."

   Hector led me out of the hospital, where my car sat in the parking lot.

   I handed him the keys. "Don't scratch her."

   He chuckled lightly before opening the passenger side door for me.

   I got in as he jogged to the drivers side, getting in next to me.

   He started the car, taking off out of the parking lot...

   I leaned my head against the window, watching my surroundings pass me by. Surroundings that were all to familiar.

   My eyes moved over to Hector as we pulled into the cul-de-sac. "What are you doing?"

   He pulled into my driveway, shutting the car off, before meeting my gaze. "I'm giving you a chance to say goodbye..."

   I looked back out the window, seeing Maria sitting on her front porch.

   "Thanks, Hector..." I said, slowly stepping out of the car.

   Maria looked up at me as I approached, quickly wiping her eyes before getting to her feet.

   "Hey, stranger." She greeted.

   I flashed her a little smile. "Hey... How're you holding up?"

   She looked down, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Ok I guess... It won't be the same after you leave though... I mean, who's gonna keep the neighborhood safe now?"

   I laughed lightly. "Well, once Roger gets out of the hospital, I think he can handle that."

   She laughed a little back. "He's gonna make a full recovery. Doris told me earlier."

   I smiled. "That's great..."

   A silence settled between us before she spoke. "I guess this is goodbye, huh?"

   I cupped her cheek with my good hand. "Yeah... But, not forever..."

   A few tears leaked down her cheeks as she leaned up, pressing her lips to mine.

   "I love you, Dani..." She said in barely a whisper.

   "I love you to..." I replied.

   "Elena!" Hector called out. "Times up, your plane's leaving soon!"

   I let out a sigh, giving Maria's hand a squeeze. "I'll see you later, ok?"

   She just nodded, letting my hand go as I headed back towards my car.

   My eyes wandered over the neighbors houses as I walked. Everyone was outside, watching me leave.

   I smiled a little to myself, waving to them, before getting back in the car. Hector got in next to me. "Ready?"

   "Almost... I have to make one more quick stop..."

   Hector wasn't thrilled, but pulled into Mickey's shop regardless.

   "I'll be quick." I said, stepping out of the car as Mickey approached me.

   "Well, I guess this is goodbye." Mickey said.

   I pulled him into a one-armed hug. "Don't miss me to much, pretty boy."

   We shared a laugh as we pulled apart. "Thanks, Mick, I really appreciate everything you've done for me... But, I need one last favor..."

   He smiled. "Name it."

   My eyes landed on the Duster. "I need you to finish the car for me and drop it off to this address." I said, handing him a hand written letter, the address scribbled on the back.

   He looked down at the letter, giving me a nod. "You got it."

   After saying our goodbyes, I hopped back in my car, Hector continuing our trip to the airport...

   Where I was headed next was still a mystery to me... But, I knew deep down, I'd be back...

—————
One Year Later...

   I pulled my shiny, purple Duster into my driveway before stepping out, looking back at the car with a sad smile.

   'Until next time...' The words danced around my mind.

   "Hey, Maria. Car sounds great." Chad said, waving to me from a couple houses down.

   I waved back, smiling, before my eyes wandered to Roger and Doris, happily working in their front yard.

   Then, I noticed Trudy rushing her daughter into her car. She gave me a quick wave before driving off.

   I watched her car leave before looking to the house next to mine. It's been empty since Dani left, just like my heart.

   With a sigh, I opened my front door, getting ready to step inside.

   But, the loud rev of a car stopped me from moving.

   I slowly turned, seeing a familiar red car pull into the driveway next door.

   My heartbeat quickened as I stepped off my front porch.

   The car stopped, the drivers side door opening.

   I started making my way next door, watching her brunette hair blowing in the light breeze. "Dani..?"

   The woman turned to me, sunglasses covering her eyes, a bright smile on her plush lips.

   I let out an excited squeal as I ran up to her, pulling her into my arms.

   She took her sunglasses off before leaning down, pressing her lips to mine. "Oh my God, Dani... I didn't think I'd ever see you again."

   She smirked, running her thumb gently over my cheek. "Hey, stranger... How's the car treating you?"

   I smiled. "Great, Mickey really hooked me up..."

   We shared a laugh, a silence settling over us as we stared into each other's eyes.

   "Dani-" I started, but she cut me off, pressing her finger to my lips.

   "Please. Call me Elena. Elena Rossi..."

   Thanks to my testimony, my former boss would spend the rest of his life behind bars. I ended up spending a few months behind bars myself, plus two years probation.

   After I got out, Hector said I was free to move wherever I wanted. Naturally, I picked the only place I thought about that whole year. The cul-de-sac. Surrounded by the best neighbors a girl like me could ask for. Living right next door to the girl of my dreams. The love of my life.

   Sure, I've done wrong in my life. Sure, I turned my back on the only family I had. Sure, I was a fucking rat.

   But, if it led me to her, I'd happily do it all over again...

The End