"Yo, cheesin hard!" Jordy roasts, as his loud voice rattles the hotel room from the bathroom. He peeks his head out the bathroom smiling at me and I mirror the smile.

"Fuck off" I chuckle, grabbing my palm brush off the dresser.

I can't believe I'm going to see Candy Bandit Friday.

A smile pulls on my lips while I send her a good morning text because the little dish washer picked up a shift last night and is probably passed out on her bed. She must be living the high life, considering she doesn't have nursing school for a week and half. So I know she is going to use this downtime advantage to sleep because, after she comes back from here, it's her push to finals.

And I know she is going to have Anti-Jaylan madness signs up everywhere for her to study and prepare for the NCLEX.

I can't believe it's been this long. It feels like forever.

Just thinking about our last moments, from the sleepover and IHOP goodbye, I believe it has been this long. We are finally here and I just can't wait to tease her, kiss, touch, and hold her.

My heart is still trying to come back together after my conversation with Lizzie Saturday night. It shook me to my knees at the home she grew up in dissolving apart from a distance. I stayed up all night piecing together what she's been going through, from the time she spent the night on the sofa watching Parent Trap to our first kiss, the Ferris wheel, the basketball court dunks, and now her teary-eyed confession that all Lizzie wants is a whole family.

A family to not be dysfunctional.

A family to have problems but openly address and work through them.

A family she should not be ashamed of.

On the surface, I would never fucking know Lizzie is going through strife, with her sunshine of a personality. But the happiest people can be the most depressed and anxiety driven inside. I was angry, sad, and frustrated about the number of things piled up on her.

I mean, for starters, how Lizzie's Dad has been asking her to buy cigarettes to enable his habit instead of getting better. His heart attack should have been a wakeup call but I guess he didn't want to change. My chest tightens just thinking about how he has done this for four years, knowing his daughter is trying to save money to make a future for herself here.

She said it isn't the first time he has done it. When she worked with her grandfather's vegetable stand and earned some money, that's when he started to ask by bribing her with different things. She kept that a secret from her mom and siblings, knowing if she told them then it would be an explosion. Instead, she just would rather not say anything at all.

I know I shouldn't judge but he is a grown ass man and knows better.

I sigh deeply, thinking about how to separate what she told me when I actually see him at graduation. I don't want to hold any animosity towards him, considering I need to talk to him about Lizzie... With all the commotion they are causing, she still values their opinion to the point where she confessed asking permission to date is a big part of her culture. I won't lie, I am nervous about meeting them but I just have to be confident about my stance with her which is to protect her heart.

Brushing the top of my head, it's wild how we stayed on the phone pretty much all night talking about different things she was facing. I didn't expect her to share so much but she did and I was all ears. Her green card is still processing, which pisses me off. She should have found out by now, since she had her interview last year.

Sometimes the government doesn't make sense sometimes. Shaking my head, I remember another revelation she shared about her siblings. Her sister doesn't want to live with her mom anymore because of this guy named Ricardo. I asked Lizzie if he did something but she said no, it's only because he's not their dad.

I definitely understand where they're coming from, especially when they were a family unit for so long and some dude who's supposedly been a family friend ends up stealing their mom. Blows my mind, how her dad didn't know the things he wasn't doing around the house while this dude was sliding right in.

He made his shot and he took it but it's still messy to me.

The University of Florida logo catches my eye on the jumbotron of highlights of their time here. I can't believe Lizzie's brother wants to go fucking there, of all places, but they do got a good Division One soccer team. I'm glad we didn't have to play them. They played dirty last year.

Lizzie told me about how her decision on her post-graduation location is based on wherever Mateo goes but he doesn't want her to feel obligated to him. Lizzie wants to be near her brother because she knows what it's like to not have family around when you need them. However, she did tell me she has accepted the fact that she likes Maryland and her job but I know feeling torn between the emotional ties hurts her.

With what information she gave me, it had me thinking a lot the past couple of days.

Like, what can I do?

How can I help?

What, out of all that she told me, actions am I going to take? I mean, I know what I want to do in the next three months with her. When she told me about placement after school, I automatically thought of Grandma's house. It's vacant and needs improvement but would be perfect for Lizzie and I stay in temporarily. Fuck, it'd even fit her sister if she came here.

I know I'll need to talk to Aunt Lisa and Uncle Steve about the house because they did have plans for it to expand their foster care home. I'm sure Lizzie would work magic with it though. It's a lot of work but I know I do not want to walk away or feel like I can't do anything because I definitely can.

Lizzie deserves a home.

Lizzie deserves a family.

Lizzie deserves to be loved to the fullest extent, with no conditions.

I don't know how I can do that for her but I'm going to try and do my best to give that to her.

I don't ever want to see her broken down and feeling completely alone like that again, unless I'm there holding her and comforting her through. Sharing her heart, her fears, and her uncertainty only makes my feelings even stronger for her.

I love her.

Smiling, in my distracted thoughts, a text from Nathan pops up.

Nathan: I just want to tell you good luck this weekend and I hope to see you soon. Let me know when your graduation is so I can come!

My heart skips at the text from thinking about our short encounter last week. After Nathan and I had dinner and a nice long walk back to the hotel, it made me wonder what true love looks like. As a kid, I really didn't understand fully about love because PJ just never really showed it to Mom, ever.

When Nathan came into her life, he would have flowers delivered or get her groceries and spend time with us. As I got older, it made me realize how much he loved her... and even me. He didn't have to but he did.

Love has never been in my vocabulary because I always thought I was unlovable. I had the idea that Mom never loved me since she decided to end her life but the more of Lizzie coming around and Nathan back in the picture shows me that Mom's love for me never stopped. She just lost her own battles because she was pouring out of an empty cup. Even though Nathan poured into hers, she never really could've received it because PJ made her feel like being worthy of love could ever be possible again.

Sighing deeply, I adjust my chain on my neck and place my ring on my pinky finger. I have to give Squeaker credit for picking out 'nice outside time outfits.' Despite this shirt having a white rose on it, I wore it anyway because it reminded me of her.

"Jordy, are you almost ready?" I sigh playfully.

"Where are we going again?" Jordy sticks his head out the bathroom, brushing his teeth. With all the foam around his mouth, he looks like he has rabies.

"It's a surprise." I smugly grin at him and he furrows his brows at me. He muffles inaudible words, his mouth full of toothpaste, and makes a nasty, loud spit into the sink.

I sit on the edge of the bed and look at my phone to see Lizzie sent me a text back. Reading, it was vague but it pulled a smile on my face.

Giggles🧸: Good morning, sorry I didn't text back. I was really tired!

I don't question and I just like her message with a heart. I take my daily hand selfie photo, with me rubbing my jaw knowing she's probably melting into a puddle at me wearing the rings she packed.

Me: How do I look Raspberry lover?

Me: [Photo]

Smirking, I can imagine her nose crinkling with furrowed brows. All she does is heart my photo and reply with one word.

Giggles🧸: Handsome!

I'm about to press the facetime button when a loud pound on the door makes me cuss under my breath. I walk to the door, swinging it up to see Marcus cheesing big with Hollis behind him. Both are all fully dressed.

"What's uppp!" Marcus hypes.

We dap each other and Hollis does too but his eyes remain glued on his phone.

"Jordy, you ready boy?" Marcus hounds as he walks into the bathroom.

Hollis is typing on his phone quickly, probably texting Alexis because even though the two haven't spoken since she left, they still have been saying or doing things that are hurting what they have been trying to build. Hollis has been all over Alexis' social media, within every post and video of her flaunting that she is single. Last night, we went to the bar and I had to take Hollis home before he got caught on the UMD Barstool Instagram Page for making out with Baylor's small forward's now ex-girlfriend.

We definitely don't need the publicity.

He has spiraled downward but, for now, he has put all his anger and emotion in basketball. It does help short-term but I wish he wasn't motivated by pain. I know he is hurting and I'm trying to do the best I can as a friend to help him and reduce bad decisions he may regret in the future, all without overstepping my bounds.

Hollis looks up at me with a faint smile and tucks his phone into his jean pocket. "Where are we going, Cap?"

"I hope it's the strip club," Jordy says, but groans, sounding like Marcus pushes him from behind.

"What strip club is open at ten in the morning?" I deadpan.

"The ones in Baltimore," Jordy comes out with a big grin on his face.

"A, we are not going, and b, I got something better." I smile.

Lizzie actually helped me find this cool place here to go ax throwing. She told me that date activity is on her list to do. I'm not sure if I trust her tiny hands to throw something so dangerous, considering how she puked on me and got her hair caught in my zipper, and can't forget almost getting taken out by the pitching machine.

"But you promised!" Jordy wails, throwing his hands in the air.

Marcus laughs and nods. I groan, slapping my forehead because I bet everybody thinks we are going. Because my big mouth did say I would take them but that's not where we are going today.

"I'll take you Jordy next Monday after we win." Hollis grins big and Jordy holds his hand over his heart.

"At least someone cares about my manhood." He slants his eyes at me and I cackle, shaking my head.

We all leave my room and we have a light conversation about where we want to eat for lunch but once again. We get into the elevator and head down to the ground floor to meet the rest of our team.

I take out my phone to FaceTime Lizzie but when I call her, she doesn't pick it up. Even throughout this time of being apart, she's always answered my unexpected calls. Maybe she's still cranky about going to Disney World on Sunday.

I have plans for Disney World.

Despite her dismissing my Jaylan nonsense on going to see Mickey, Lizzie opened up to me on how she always wanted to go with her family. She and her sister wanted to see Cinderella's castle and have a tea party with the Disney princesses. She and her siblings always made plans for vacation to constantly bring their family together but her brother stopped once he accepted what was about to happen before her and sister did.

I truly feel bad for Lizzie having to do whatever she can to keep her family together. It's not her burden to carry alone. I know some things that are not my place to butt into but I really don't want Lizzie feeling like her family problems are her fault. She needs to know she has done the best she can.

She sends a quick text, relieving the tension in my chest and I read it.

Giggles🧸: I'm at chapel, ttyl

She is such a good girl.

"Yo, I don't know what's wrong with you anymore. Always smilin' and shit,'' Marcus teases, stepping out the elevator.

"Oh, don't even start, with Red Robin," Jordy claps back and steps out too.

Hollis and I throw our heads back and laugh, coming out behind them. Marcus sucks his teeth but we know he's been getting more serious with Maxine while we have been here. We actually had a long talk about it last night at the bar here in the lobby. He really feels like she is the one but he also is having a hard time with how he is going to balance Maxine's life with his. He will make her a priority but he knows that, with Maxine comes Noelle. They are a packaged deal, all or nothing.

"Hey, Stephen," a velvet voice says from behind us as we turn to see one of UMD's pom pom demons swipe her dark brunette hair.

He does a head nod and she swishes away with one of the other pom pom demons. God, I hope Satan isn't here, I can't deal with her shit right now.

"Don't do it." Marcus shakes his head as the rest of them come in from the entrance.

"I'm single though." Hollis smirks, as another one passes him.

"You'll end up like Marcus," Jordy throws shade.

He is really on a roll today, which I love because he has his ups and downs with grief. He just has been bouncing back, which I love to see in him but I know grieving is important too.

"Come on, Jordy. We talked about this in the bathroom, how we are roastin' Jay today, remember?" Marcus playfully convinces, holding on to Jordy's shoulder.

I suck my teeth as we walk closer to the entrance to meet the rest of the team but suddenly I leap when a familiar ginger stands in front of us, folding her arms.

"I've been waiting down here. What are you guys doing, curling each other's hair?" Big Red grumbles.

"Oh, you know. Jay has to get those waves just right in his head," Marcus teases.

I slant my eyes at him because he is pushing it but the lightness in my chest reminds me of how it's been a long time since I just had just the guys' time.

"What do you mean we?" I toss back, smirking.

Maxine presses her lips at me and crane her neck. "Oh, don't even play that, Tiny Dick. You ruined my last outing with my team so, I'll be joining you."

A smile pulls on my face about Sunday night, when Marcus and I snuck in on their little girl time painting nails and masks, something Lizzie probably organized for them in Maxine's room. Marcus forgot his phone. She may or may not have been over us taking a photo of her with lumps of avocado on her face and may or may not be happy it's on Marcu's Instagram story.

I wouldn't say we ruined it but knowing her, she probably took the wrong way.

Jordy stomps his foot like a child and points at her. "ABSOLUTELY not! We are going to the strip club," he boasts, turning up his nose.

"Alright, get that out of your mind now," Marcus ends the joke.

"That's what you call team bonding?" Maxine huffs and Marcus sucks his teeth as she slants her eyes at all of us. Taylor and the rest of the team leap up out of their lobby seats and come hurrying over to us to this showdown.

"Strip club? I heard strip club." Taylor peeks into the conversation along with Xavier cheesing real big.

"Jaylan did promise," Jordy grumbles.

Pressing my lips at him to end the topic, Jordy crinkles his nose at me and sticks out his tongue.

"Hey, you did." Xavier points at me

"Yeah, come to think of it... He did promise when he took us to Sky Zone." Taylor adds.

"I actually have never been to one, soooooooo..." Shawn smirks at the end.

All the guys begin to rave up a conversation about it and I groan in my hands at the idiotic promise I made.

"Alright, alright. I know what I said but drop the idea of us going to any strip club. It's ten in the morning," I dismiss.

Jordy grumbles under his breath, saying 'I'm no fun' like a little kid. Hollis laughs, shaking his head and wrapping his arm around his neck.

"So, where we going that could be more fun than a strip club?" Marcus teases, making Maxine slant her eyes at him.

"It's a surprise," I gloat.

They all groan and I laugh as we start walking to the entrance but Maxine is hot on my ankles. Five magic words are all I need to make them drop the strip club.

"And I'm paying for it."

"Oh, well, say less." Taylor grins, throwing his arm around my neck

We all start laughing and heading towards the front entrance when Maxine clears her throat. We turn back to see her throwing out her hands like we forgot her.

"Hello, I'm still going," Maxine reminds, adjusting her expensive hand band on her forearm.

"Maxine, it's guy's day. Go play dolls with your littl-" Marcus puts a hand over Jordy's mouth as he's still talking.

All of us try our best to hold back our laughter at Maxine sizing up Jordy for his smart remark. She presses her lips and looks back at us, waiting for an answer.

"Shut up, Jordy. Let's go." Maxine sashays out the door and I groan as the guys follow her.

"You just had to open your mouth." I slant my eyes at Jordy.

He sheepishly grins and looks down, walking out the hotel. As I walk out, a group of people come walking in and my arm gets brushed by Gabrielle in the midst of the crowd. I give her a dirty look and she just smiles as if she's playing some type of game. It's still annoying how she's still trying to get my attention and I'm just not giving it to her because she doesn't deserve it.

"Where are you off to?" I hear her call out but keep walking. "Really, Jaylan?"

She laughs as if my ignoring her is some type of joke but I keep walking. I really need to talk to Lizzie about her but I'll do that when she is here face to face not over the phone.

"Parker, hurry up. Damn you are walking way too slow!" Ginger Demon barks as she links arms with Marcus.

The traitor.

Well, looks like it's going to be Guys Plus Maxine Day.

This day ends up being Maxine's day but honestly, she deserves it considering her best friends are home. Her teammates need a break from her. From eating McDonalds with us, which she refused to eat, to checking out the local mall, I would say this day by far has been fun with the ginger demon.

I know Maxine and I have history, as far as competing with each other's stats, trying to pull the same hook up, to her coming to Aunt Lisa and Uncle Steve's house to vent about Chris, to the night we bonded in beer pong and lost to Marcus. I value my frenemies relationship with the ginger snap. I know that's what my cotton candy maker would want.

Checking down at my phone, I see still nothing from Lizzie, I hope she is okay. I sigh softly, my stomach churning a bit of what she could possibly be doing.

"Nothing yet? I was hoping she would have answered for me. I need her to bring my rain boots." Jordy laughs softly.

I chuckle softly and thumb my phone over the screen.

Jaylan relax, she is probably just in one of her zones.

Smiling, she probably buried in her closet organizing her clothes by color in her suitcase.

I love that about her

Throughout this whole day, I've been trying to get in contact with Lizzie but she's been making up every reason why not to talk to me or saying things like 'I'll talk to you soon!' I'm not mad or annoyed but it's unexpected, making me wonder if she's up to something. Knowing Lizzie, she is probably making sure everything is packed and making a list for the month of April which reminds me I need to do something for her birthday coming up. I'm curious what kind of Pinterest thing I can do for her. I really gotta stop having that in my vocabulary as well but it might give me an idea.

Looking up as we walk in a clump group to the ax throwing place, I notice Maxine furiously typing on her phone with slumping shoulders.

I know Aunt Lisa texted me this morning to check in on her again and to make sure she is okay. I don't know why Aunt Lisa wanted me to die this morning but I did check in on her. Seeing her sit alone at the breakfast area, writing in that journal again with Marcus' hoodie with bloodshot eyes, something is bothering her. Before I got out a word, a Boston-accented string of manhood insults chased me off.

Now that Lizzie is coming, she can be the savior and maybe I can have Aunt Lisa tell her to do it, not me.

I want my sacs still attached.

Sighing deeply, I jog up between her and Marcus and can feel the green laser beams cutting on my face.

"What Parker?" Maxine snaps.

Holding my hand over my heart space, Marcus chuckles softly. "Can't I just walk with my favorite couple?"

"If you are asking about Lizzie's whereabouts, she will text you later," Maxine plainly says, not even looking at me as she texts on her phone walking ahead of Marcus and I.

"How do you communicate with her?" I ask him.

Marcus shrugs with a smile. "I'm just that good."

Pressing my lips at him, my phone vibrates. I glance at it, it's one missed call from Lizzie. Dang it. How did I miss this? I press call again as we walk in the Ax Throwing Place.

"Hi, this is Elizabeth Lucero. I'm not able to answer your phone call right now. Please make sure your name and number are in a detailed message and I will return your call!"

A smile pulls on my lips at the beep. "Hi, Elizabeth Lucero. This is Jaylan Parker, your boyfriend, if you could give me a call back, it would be greatly appreciated, my number is 443-555-5555."

Hanging up, Hollis already is getting every square away and my phone dings. Lizzie texts me back. What is with this game today?

Oh God... it's a game.

Giggles🧸: Sorry, I was turning my group project in! That means Spring Break officially started! Call you in a bit!

Golden Noodle would turn that project in person. She's worked so hard on the project, and I hope she gets the grade she deserves.

"This place is tight!" Jordy says breaking my train of thoughts.

I cackle, throwing my head back as we follow the associate to the ax throwing cages. We pass a few rustic wooden tables and a bar catching my eyes with the menu. We walk in through this open-door frame. Marcus being funny hits his hand above and we all follow along just because we're tall... except for Jordy, he got his figure tips.

And Maxine. She only lifted a middle finger.

As the associate begins to give instructions and safety reminders, I look down at my phone. I go to my messages and see Lizzie typing and then it disappears. My heart begins to flutter at the feeling of the time when I took her home from Terrapin's Turf and how she tried messaging me all night but couldn't because she was scared to talk to me to express how she felt with Bree in the car.

I bite the inside of my cheek as my attention draws to the sound of the ax hitting the board. The associate bows and all my teammates clap obnoxiously and cheer. Clearing my throat, we set our things down as I sit down as Hollis leans against the table with his arms crossed bragging about hitting the red bullseye.

"So, we throw axes at the target?" Taylor sounds interested.

"And drink free beer?" Xavier sips the foam from his beer mug.

"All for two hours?" I added, sipping my beer.

"Yup." Hollis smiles, looking at Max's axes.

The guys were a bit opposed to going to the ax throwing place. But when they started to see the tutorial I showed them at the mall, they all got hyped up and wanted to try. And now they look like they're going to fight over who goes first.

"But we need to do this in an orderly fashion because we don't need someone's fingers getting chopped off, do we?" Maxine grins like the grinch as she moves the ax up and down in the air. Marcus slowly tries to pull it away and she crinkles her nose, moving away from him.

"Marcus, don't," she grumbles.

"You have a weapon in your hand, watch it."

She presses her lips and turns, slumping her shoulders and lifting up the ax. With one drawback of her arm, she makes us step back. With a lean forward, arm flung, and soft grunt, she hurls it, hitting right on the blue line. Maxine grumbles under her breath and her phone rings. She pulls it out, looks at her phone, twists her lips, and walks over to the side while talking.

"This should be easy." Jordy rubs his hands together.

"Easy now." Marcus holds his hands out, blocking Jordy's reach for an ax.

"Marcus, move your damn hand. I can't afford you losing it!" I fret.

"Relaxxxxx," Marcus says with a deviant smile.

All the guys pick their own lane of where they want to throw an ax. I am currently down at the end next to Xavier and Shawn. I'm really glad Shawn has been enjoying his experience on the team and it's really awesome to see him flourish and pick up good habits like unity as a team, rather than dividing us apart.

"Not going to lie, this is a bit better than the strip club, but don't tell Jordy." Shawn chuckles, throwing his ax right in the middle target circle.

"Your secret's safe with me." I cross my fingers.

This moment warms my chest. The hard work of bringing everybody together really took a lot of motivation from me and selflessness every time. My brothers mean the world to me and without them, I don't know where I would be. It honestly is going to suck not being able to have much practice anymore after Monday but I know we can carry on and hang out when we get back. I just would love to keep the brotherhood traditions alive, after school ends like I've done with my high school friends. These guys are like family to me and I would hate to have to lose that with them.

Smiling at Jordy whirling an ax around like he is Thor, I lift my phone up to take a video to put it on Instagram when my phone sees a missed call from Lizzie and a text. For some reason, my throat becomes dry and I earnestly read her text, pulling a smile on my face.

Giggles🧸: I miss you and I hope you are having fun today with your friends!

I type back with a smile when Maxine comes back with a softening look. Her shoulders slump a bit and she leans over to whisper to Marcus, who looks at her strangely and she keeps whispering. I guess it's something about Noelle. The two walk away in midst of all the rowdiness and go to a corner.

Me: I miss you more Giggles and I can't wait to talk to you, I haven't seen your sour candy face all day.

My phone begins to ring and I step to the side and swipe quickly for it to connect. There she is, with her glasses on and completely makeupless. She has a faint smile and waves at the camera. "Hi, Jaylan." Her voice sounds sweet as ever but a hint of sadness catches my attention.

"What, were you playing hide and seek today?" I tease and she lets out a soft giggle and dips her chin down.

I study her surroundings and she is in her closet, moving some things around her.

"Nooo, I'm still packing," she calls out.

"Oh?" I arch my brow.

"I'm not last-minute packing like you," she teases and lets out a smile.

"Is that why you haven't talked to little ol me?" I poke my lip out.

She crinkles her nose and giggles because she knows for a fact I'm not little. She's literally sleeping with a life-sized reminder in her bed. She sinks her teeth in her quivering lower lip and flashes her doe eyes at me. "Littleeee," she drags with a few more giggles.

"I can't wait to see you, baby," I say genuinely.

"I can't wait to see you... You too," she rasps her voice a bit.

"Look, guess where we are," I boast, flipping the camera around and showing the guys playing ax throwing. Even Hollis is participating, which really warms my heart because he's been flying solo or just hiding in his room. So it's good to see a smile on his face.

"You went!" she hums but a flash of sadness in her eyes catches my attention.

"I diddd," I gloat.

"It looks so much fun," she says softly.

The sadness in her voice pulls at my heart, making me wonder if everything is okay. I flip my camera around to see her pushing up her glasses and with a faint smile.

"What else did you do today?" I question.

Her voice sounds distracted, even though she's looking at me. "Just pack and work on the last bit of my group project before I turned it in this afternoon."

"I know you are glad that is over." I chuckle softly.

"Definitely," she quietly admits.

She makes a soft whimpering sound, which I'm familiar with off the bat when she is upset about her family. I don't want to push but I also want her to know she has the freedom to talk about it too.

"I read another one of your letters this morning," I note, taking a few steps to the wall away from the ax lanes for some privacy.

She sits up a bit in her corner in her closet, bringing her knees to her chest. "You did?"

"I did."

"Which one did you read?" She beams with her voice but quiets down at the end.

"When you feel homesick."

I won't lie, I did feel a bit homesick for them this morning when Uncle Steve sent me a funny tik tok video of him doing the ay bay bay dance. I'm surprised he didn't twist an ankle but he got over seven hundred thousand views for it. 

Chuckling at how uncoordinated he is, Lizzie's smile begins to fade. "Did ... Did it help?"

The whole letter warmed my heart and broke it while thinking about all Lizzie shared about her family. She drew a house with me, Uncle Steve and Aunt Lisa and me front of it. She had clouds, grass and a sky like something you see a kindergarten do. I have to give her credit, she definitely can-do better stick figures than me. I love how I was super tall and my head hit the clouds.

But the letter said,

When you feel homesick just look up to the sun or moon and see that wherever you go it goes just like home.

"It always helps, Lizzie. Did you talk to your sister today?" I toss back.

"I did," she whispers, clenching her hands into her knees.

My eyebrows pull together because she looks like she's curling inward and, even on a small screen, I see her shoulders shaking. "Is she doing okay?"

"Not really." Her eyes begin to turn light brown before she closes them. "No."

I'm glad Lizzie is opening up but she looks like she's about to break down worse than last Saturday. She sucks in air and her lip quivers and tears begin to fall down her cheeks like a stream. The sight and fact I can't sweep them away tears into me, twitching my open hand's fingers at my side. The ache in the remains of my heart is about to break again for whatever she is about to reveal. My gut feels like it caves as her tears continue to flow.

Lizzie's eyes open, brightening up like she's been hurt and her lashes clumping. I study her eyes for any clue, any sign to help me decipher what's going on.

"Baby, what's wrong?" I voice the concern rising inside me.

She continues to cry hard, this time with louder, raspy sobs leaving her. Hunching over, she rounds her back and her shoulder's pitch. Her fingers tremble as she takes her wrist and dabs it into her eyes. My heart is ripping out of my chest because I can't console her in my arms.

I swallow against the dry lump that forms in the back of my throat. "Lizzie?"

"I... have to pack." She breaks down more covering her face with a tye dye shirt.

I swallow a large lump as she shakes violently. "What happened, baby?"

She shakes her head, saying she is sorry. I guess Maxine hears because she comes over. To my surprise, she puts her hand on my shoulder.

"Go ahead, Lizzie," Maxine encourages. "Tell him."

Shifting my gaze to Maxine, my breath catches when I see her eyes are light as the sea.

"Lizzie?" I rasp again.

"I'm sorry, Jaylan." Between choked out sobs, she rasps, "I have to go home."

Shit.

Edited and spiced up by still_just_me

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