Finals week in the U.K. is just as scary, if not more so, than finals week back home. But in a way it's a blessing, because the stress of it all takes Elsie's mind off Harry, who has already reached out to her to try and get back together. She's holding strong though and ignoring his messages, choosing to focus on passing her classes instead. We both end the week with high marks and spend the last day on campus enjoying some much needed sunshine in the courtyard.

I'm just about to go back inside the school to pack up all my things when I hear someone call my name from the other side of the yard. When I look up, I see Graham waving his hand in the air and running toward me. I cringe and consider running back into the school faster. Graham and I haven't talked since that night, and I was hoping to avoid the awkward reunion altogether. Guess I'm not so lucky.

"Want me to tell him to bugger off?" Elsie asks when she sees him running toward us.

I shake my head. "No. That's okay. Actually, if you want to go on ahead of me, I'll catch up to you." She still doesn't know about my freakout the night of the party, and I'm hoping to keep it that way.

Her brow furrows. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah," I reply, watching as Graham moves closer. "Go ahead. Really. This won't take but a second" She nods her head before getting back to her feet and making her way back into the school, looking over her shoulder once before leaving my sight.

Graham comes to a stop a couple feet in front of me. "Hey," he says, slightly breathless, and I wave my hand at him silently. "I... er... I heard it was your last day."

"It is," I reply, folding my arms across my chest protectively and looking around to make sure there are other people in the courtyard besides the two of us. I don't know why I'm so nervous. He's already proven he wouldn't hurt me. But that night brought back so many memories, and even though it's not really his fault, I don't think I'll ever be able to look at him again without thinking of the way I felt at the party.

He nods his head and runs his fingers through his hair. "Right. Well, before you left forever, I just wanted to say... I really am sorry. I should've said it before, but I wanted to give you space. And after El and Harry... well, I didn't want to bother either of you."

"Thank you," I say as I tug on a loose strand on my sleeve. "And I should say sorry to you too. About that night. It wasn't really your fault. I just... I've been through some things. And—"

He holds his hand up to stop me. "You don't have to explain anything to me, Summer. Really. I was in the wrong. I was trying to be flirty with you because... well, because you're cute." I blush. "And American." I smile. "But when you weren't into it, I should've backed off. I'm sorry. Truly."

I unfold my arms and let them rest against my sides. "Apology accepted, Graham." He smiles at me as his shoulders sag with relief. "I should get back inside. Collect my things."

"When do you leave?" he asks.

"I leave the Carmichaels in a couple days," I reply. "But I've got some family I want to visit while I'm here. So I won't be going home for about five more days."

He nods. "Okay. Well, safe travels, Summer. Don't be a stranger." I give him a quick smile as I turn around. But just as I'm about to, he says, "Hey, can I... ask a small favor of you?"

I look back at him, my eyebrows quirking up as I stop and say, "Depends on what the favor is?"

"Right," he says quickly. Then he closes his eyes, takes a shaky breath, and continues. "Do you think you can... maybe put in a good word for me? With... er... with Elsie?"

My jaw drops in surprise, and he winces at my reaction. "Elsie?" I ask, and he nods his head. "Graham, Elsie is Harry's ex. Isn't there some type of law that says you can't date your best friend's ex-girlfriend?"

His eyes fall to his feet as he sighs and says, "There is. But Harry and I... well, we aren't really talking much at the moment. What he did to El was bollocks. Pressuring her like that. We had it out over it, and we haven't spoken. But the thing is... I've always had a small thing for her. But then Harry and her started dating, and I thought my chances were next to nothing."

"They're still next to nothing," I say truthfully, and he cringes. "I don't know, Graham. Harry is trying to get back with her."

"Harry's a git," he snaps, and my eyes widen. "If anything, please tell her not to get back together with him. He's a right prick."

"And your best friend," I remind him. "Listen, I have to go. But I'll... I'll try, okay? No promises. But I'll do my best."

He gives me a small grin. "Thanks, Summer. Enjoy your visit with your family, and have a safe flight home."

"Thank you," I reply. "Good luck, Graham. With, you know... everything."

And before he can say another word, I run back to the school, trying to wrap my head around everything he just told me. Graham likes El. I wouldn't have expected it, but now it sort of makes sense. He was always hanging around, and there were moments when he did interrupt Harry as he was trying to make a move. I wonder if I should tell El everything he said, or if it would just cause her more pain. I shake my head as I spot El in the corridor and decide to put it out of my mind for the time being.

***

My last day with the Carmichaels is more bitter than sweet. As much as I want to go home, I wish I could take them with me. The last day, Amelia and Oscar both take time off work to spend with me. We go around town, visiting as many sights as we can before I have to leave. When we get back, Amelia cooks some bangers and mash, and we enjoy our last meal together. Lily cries as we start talking about travel plans, and she begs her parents to let her go with them on the trip to Surrey tomorrow. They say there isn't enough room in the car for all my things and both the girls, so I have to say my goodbyes tonight.

The thing is, I don't want to say goodbye. The time I've spent with the Carmichaels has been so special, and in a way both Elsie and Lily have become like sisters to me. Even though I know I'll be seeing both of them again someday, it still hurts a bit to know I'm going to be leaving them now. When Lily goes to bed, Elsie and I stay up and chat about my upcoming plans. She also insists I call her the moment I land in Spokane, no matter what time it is, and I promise her I will.

"Oh," she says excitedly as she scoots closer to the edge of her bed. "I forgot to ask you. Did Graham say anything about Harry the other day when you two talked in the courtyard?"

I should've known this question was coming. Harry has been sending her more apologetic texts, and I can tell she's about to break and get back with him. I've been mulling over Graham's words, going back and forth on whether or not I should tell her what he said. "Sort of," I reply to her question, and her eyes widen as she curls up on the bed, giving me her full attention. "He actually told me to tell you not to get back together with Harry."

"What?" she gasps, her mouth falling open in surprise. "But Harry's his best mate! They've been almost inseparable for years!"

I nod my head. "Yeah, I asked him about that. And he... well, he said some things." Her lips curl into a frown as she waits for me to continue. "Elsie, he says Harry's a prick. That he shouldn't have pressured you like he did. That you deserve better."

She laughs out loud, and I wince. "Right. Like he tried to pressure you all term to hook up with him?"

I shake my head. "No. No, it's not like that." I hesitate, wondering if should tell her the rest of it. "Okay, the truth is... he likes you. He flirted with me because he thought I was kind of cute and American." I roll my eyes at the thought. "But he was only hanging around so much because he's always had a bit of a crush on you. Apparently when he found out what Harry did, they had a huge fight. And they've barely spoken since."

"Is that true?" she asks, and I can hear the surprise in her voice.

I shrug my shoulders. "I have no idea if it's true. But it's what Graham told me. He asked me to tell you, but I wasn't sure if I should. I mean, at the end of the day, it's up to you whether or not you want to believe him. And it's up to you if you want to get back together with Harry. My opinion? You deserve better than some asshole who's going to pressure you to do things you aren't ready for. But it's your choice, El. As long as you're happy."

She stares at me for a few minutes, her eyes wide as she tries to process all this information. Then she shakes her head, as if forcing herself back to the present, before saying, "It's probably just a bunch of lies anyway. Graham is probably worse than Harry." But even as the words come out of her mouth, I can tell she doesn't believe them.

"Maybe," I reply, even though I don't believe it either. "But there's no rule saying you have to be with one or the other. You can make the choice to ignore both of them, you know."

"I guess," she replies, but there's hesitation in her voice. Then she gives me a sad smile. "Can't believe you leave tomorrow. It feels like you just got here." I nod my head, because she's right. In a way, it does feel like I've only been here for a week. The time has gone by so quickly. "You're going to keep in touch, right?"

I roll my eyes. "Duh! Of course I'm going to keep in touch. You're my host sister. I can just leave and never talk to you again."

She smiles. "Good. Because I was thinking of traveling to America next summer. Maybe, if you wanted, your family could host me."

"Oh God, my mother would love that," I say, and she grins. "Let's plan on it then. Next summer, you stay with us in America. I'll have a couple free months before I head to school. I can show you around my hometown. Introduce you to Beth."

"And Baker," she says, and my smile falls a bit. She laughs. "Summer, you aren't fooling anyone, you know."

Yup, the smile is definitely gone now. "I don't know what you're talking about," I say, even though I know exactly what she's talking about. "But sure. I guess I can maybe introduce you to Baker. If he's still around." God, I hope he's still around. My eyes flit to the time on my phone. "We should get to bed. I have to wake up early tomorrow morning to head to Surrey."

Elsie laughs. "Nice change of subject," she says, and I wince. "Okay, okay. Goodnight, Summer. I'll see you next year."

"Next year," I reply as I slide further down under my blankets. "Goodnight, El." We both shut off our lamps as I roll over, holding my duck against my chest and smiling to myself, knowing I only have a few more days before my flight home. But I feel like my biggest hurdle is ahead of me, and as excited as I am to see my friends and family again, I'm also kind of dreading the next few days with my grandparents. What will they think of me? What will they be like? Will they like me? All these questions float around my brain as I close my eyes, willing sleeping to take me so I can get a little closer to home.

Author's Note:
Last day with Elsie and the rest of the Carmichaels, but not the last day in the UK! Got one more adventure before our girl heads home! Hope it goes well for her. Let me know what you all think of this chapter, and I'll be back soon with the next! Stay safe and healthy until then, my dears!
XOXO,
~Aly