The sketchbook I gave her is the one with all the doodles of her in it. I also wrote a letter for her on one of the pages, just for her to look at and read through when she needs comfort.

I moved a lot when I was in middle school, and didn't make a lot of friends. Those I did make were temporary, and I hadn't gotten too attached to them. Still, it would've been nice to have something like what I gave Annabelle, to help remember that I wasn't completely alone.

The best gifts are things you know firsthand what it's like to need.

We just sit side by side, listening to the music we fell in love to. I pulled my legs up into criss-cross applesauce, and my knee is touching her thigh.

I've always loved long car rides, and through the dirty windshield I can see the sun peeking out from behind a mass of gray cloud.

I look over at Annabelle in the driver's seat.

It still hasn't registered that she's leaving. I won't see her in person, cuddle her, kiss her, feel her heartbeat against my chest.

I really don't want it to sink in, either.

I'll just soak up as much of the sight of her cute freckles and squishy nose and curly hair and warm eyes as I can.

When her hand relaxes on the gear shift I scoop it up and start rubbing gentle circles into the back of it with my thumb.

"Oh, also I stole a pair of your overalls," I mention, just remembering.

"Hmm," she says, nodding. A couple curls escape their bun and bounce with her head. "Good. They look cute on you, especially since you have to roll up the bottoms. I have more than one pair, so that's fine."

"Just thought I should inform you."

A couple moments pass.

"Have you met your host family?"

"I've talked to them over Skype. They're lovely," she says, smiling.

"Who all's there?"

"The mom's Ellen, the dad's Paul, the son — I think he's a high school senior — is Andrew. Apparently Paul makes really good carrot cake, so I'll be good on the food front."

"So they're worthy of taking care of you?"

"I certainly hope so," she teases. "Otherwise I'll have to come back and just get a house with you, so you can take care of me."

"Ooh, I can see it now. Quiet and tucked away. Maybe we can share it with Jenna and Jacob after we're all married. I know J wants a cat. You're not allergic to cats, right?"

"Nope."

"Okay. That's good. I know Jacob would want a rocking chair, and we'd have to have a nice bath."

"Wait a second," she says sharply.

"What?" I turn to look at her, a bit worried.

"Promise me you won't grow too much while I'm back? I don't wanna get home and not be able to rest my chin on top of your head. If you grow I won't be able to hug you."

"At all?" I pout at her.

"At all."

"I'll just drink a ton of caffeine, then. I like your hugs."

"Okay," she says, breathing an exaggerated sigh of relief through a joking smile. "Oh, and I'll want a rocking chair."

"What?"

"In our house."

"Oh. Okay."

"And a really big closet. We have a lot of clothes between us, and I don't like using dressers."

"Will do, love."

"Thanks," she says, smiling over at me. I lean over the console again and kiss her on the cheek.

We each take a suitcase and two boxes when we reach the airport.

Her flight leaves in half an hour, but I know it'll take about twenty minutes to go through all the security and actually find the correct gate and all that jazz.

We stop at a random bench per Annabelle's request. Sher starts to slip off her jean jacket. I look at her, partly confused and partly to see her in a tank top in person one more time.

She holds it out to me. "One last swap?"

I grin at her, and she pokes my cheek. I set down the boxes and remove my sweatshirt. It's a soft blue crewneck.

"That color looks amazing on you," I comment, shrugging the jean jacket on. It's way too big, and hangs on my frame and over my hands. "Or maybe I've just got love in my eye."

"Awh stop it, sugar. You're gonna make me blush," she drawls back.

"Milkshakes on me?" I offer, nodding to one of the side restaurants. Her eyes light up.

"You know I love me a good milkshake, Hazel Ava."

We meet up with Bonnie, Felicity, Jacob, and Jenna outside the gate.

I offer to hold the boxes when she says goodbye to everyone. They end up stacking so high I can barely see over them.

She hugs Jacob first, who towers over everyone. "Bye, Annabelle. 'M gonna miss you."

Jenna next. "I'm so glad we met you. It's lovely to see Hazel smile so brightly, and it's only gotten better since you showed up. See you when you get back?" Jenna's not really one for goodbyes, either. She prefers the "see you later"s.

Then Felicity, who kisses her sister on the cheek and buries her face into her shoulder. They don't say anything. I suspect they don't need to.

And finally Bonnie, whom I thought would have shed a tear by this point. But she's sweet and hugs her daughter tight. "I love you, Annabelle. And remember: bring me back a magnet."

"Will do, Momma," she replies. Bonnie's fridge is covered with magnets from all the places they've been.

The boxes are lifted out of my arms after they break apart, leaving red marks slanting up my arm. I get on my tiptoes and sling my arms around her neck, pulling her tight against me.

"Bring me back a slice of carrot cake?"

She pulls back and rests her forehead against mine. "Mmm, I guess. If it survives the plane ride home without being eaten."

She kisses me on the forehead, and brushes a bit of my hair back behind my ear, then traces my tattoo. "I love you."

And then we're all in a group hug, one I strongly suspect was initiated by Jacob. He loves group hugs.

And then Annabelle's off, about to go board. She turns around and waves one more time, then goes through the doorway.

Jenna walks over and gives me a hug, and I lean into her. Jacob and Bonnie are both tearing up now that she's not here to see.

I readjust the straps of my backpack to be higher on my back, then bounce on my heels.

"Ready to go?"

Later that night, the three of us are in Jenna's basement, eating cereal and watching speedpaints on the TV.

I think I'm the only one still awake after midnight. I reach for my backpack, to check my phone one last time before bed. Annabelle texted me a couple times, updates on her flights, but she also went to sleep. I suppose she'll need it, with the time difference.

When I get my phone, my hand brushes something else. It's thin and hard and slick.

I bring it out. A CD.

There's nothing on it except a smiley face in maroon Sharpie, and I know it's a copy of our CD.

There's a smile on my face as I fall asleep.

a/n: hi!

so as i think i mentioned before, senior year is gonna go really quickly for them

also if you watch bbc sherlock and ship johnlock, you should go and look at the blog me and my friend felix started (godmolly.tumblr.com), we write mini johnlock fics and it'd mean a lot if you would check it out! thanks so much

i hope y'all have a wonderful day