May 12, 2018

I woke up to my phone blowing up.

Buzz, buzz, buzz.

It was driving me crazy. I checked it, and the brightness blinded me. After I adjusted to the light, I saw that they were all notifications from Lillian. She wanted me to meet her at the boys' house. Not their apartment, but their house.

They were getting ready to be sent back to 1966.

I texted her saying that I would be there in a few minutes. I wish I had spent the night at their place, but it would have been too hard. I bolted to Jenni's room and woke her up by throwing a pillow over her head. I knew that she would want to come too. She would never forgive me if I did not bring her along to say goodbye.

There wasn't much time, so I threw on the first outfit I could find. Some baggy jeans and my favorite band t-shirt with a pair of white converse. I released my hair from their braids and quickly did my makeup, but this time I decided to use water proof mascara.

I drove like a bolt of lightning to the Curtis house, I remembered exactly how to get there, Jenni was impressed. It was my home for over a year, so of course I remembered how to get there. I parked in the driveway right behind Lillian's car, then Jenni and I ran inside.

"How did you guys get in here?" I asked as Jenni as I walked through the door, which was swinging wide open. There were white sheets everywhere on all the furniture, and a thick layer of dust on every object, it lingered in the air too. It seemed like no one had lived here in years.

"I broke the lock," Dally stated proudly.

"Of course you did." I chuckled nostalgically.

The house seemed smelled of old people. I distinctly remember the house having that musty odor the first day or two when I first starting living with the guys, so it made sense. I lifted one of the white sheets slowly, and noticed that the furniture was not any furniture that I remembered from the Curtis house, so they must move out before it becomes foreclosed. But the house was a beautiful time capsule.

None of the lights were working, so we were only using natural sunlight to see. You could see the dust floating around in the air. Johnny sneezed a few times because of it.

Lillian's voice was stern, yet quiet. She said, "I put a lot of thought into this... and I think as long as you guys don't change the past... I think it's a good idea if there's a little pit-stop before sending you back home."

All of the guys looked at Lilian with puzzled expressions. Even I side-eyed her briefly, unsure of what she was talking about. It wasn't until Ponyboy's eyes shot towards me, and when our eyes met I saw a sparkle of hope in them. As if he already knew what she was going to say.

"What do you mean?" Darry asked.

"You guys are going to go to 1964 so you can see your parents... one last time," Lillian revealed to everyone.

It took a moment for all of the boys to fully process what she was saying. Almost all at the same time their eyes widened and their jaws dropped to the floor. Mine included. I could not believe it.

"Are you serious?" Soda asked with tears immediately welling up in his eyes.

"Just... please try not to talk to them. Your past-selves might see you and it'll cause chaos. And remember, you can't stop the accident from happening. It'll mess with the whole timeline."

"We know," Ponyboy said with a sour expression.

"You guys ready?" Lillian asked with a soft smile.

"Are you coming with?" Ponyboy asked as a Lillian handed him the headband and began turning on the machine.

"No, this is just for you three but I'll have Bri go with you."

"I am?" I asked, starting to reach out for the headband.

She nodded and put in the date, it was the day that Mr. and Mrs. Curtis left to go on a road trip, only for them to get tragically run over by a train just a few hours later.

"We should probably go outside," I stated. I'd hate for us to appear in the middle of the living room and their past-selves witness our entry.

Everyone agreed, so we shuffled out to the street. No one was around, but we headed over to a big tree on the corner that we could use to hide if we needed to. Hopefully it is still big in the 60s.

The three Curtis boys and I were gripping the metal headband tightly. Darry was hyper fixated on his hand, breathing in and out deeply and slowly. Ponyboy's knee was shaking as he anxiously waited for Lillian to send us to 1964, and Soda held my hand with his free one.

"Tell the old lady I said hi," Dally said softly and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"We will," Darry promised.

Lillian counted down as if we were in a rocket getting shot up into space and she sent us back to 1964, approximately six months before I arrived in 1965.

Once the bright light subsided, we were still in the same quiet residential street with the same houses, surrounded by the same trees. It was a beautiful day, with the sun shining and only the occasional fluffy white cloud floated peacefully in the sky. One cute house had a little child's red wagon sitting in the otherwise empty driveway, and another had a few hula hoops and jump ropes scattered in the front lawn. Luckily, no one was outside to see us magically appear out of thin air.

"Let's go, we are gonna be late!" A deep male voice announced.

We all snapped our heads toward the Curtis house and we ducked behind a fairly large tree together. We slowly poked our heads out in time to see Darrel Sr. standing beside the car that they ultimately perish in. He was wearing a spiffy brown suit, and he was checking his watch in an irritated fashion.

I glanced over at the front door, where their mother was rushing to the car with her green suitcase with brown leather edging. She held her little hat so it didn't fly off her head as the wind was whipping her carolina blue skirt around her knees.

"Oh my god," Darry whispered, in complete awe over seeing his mother alive and well.

"There they are," Soda said softly with his sparkling eyes wide.

Ponyboy was silent with utter disbelief. I didn't really know what to say to help comfort any of them. This is a very unique situation.

"I didn't say bye to the boys yet!" Mrs. Curtis stated as Darrel took her suitcase and put it in the trunk of the car for her.

"We are only going to be gone for a few days, you'll see them when we get back," Darrel stated, waving off her intuition. "We have to go."

"You're right," she said solemnly. She did glance back at the house, and I could see the gears in her head turning as she debated on running back inside.

"Candace, I want to beat the traffic!" Darrel called out from the driver's side door. "The boys will be fine! They've got Darry, he's home from college for the weekend!"

It was like watching a movie. There was nothing we could do but watch them take steps closer and closer to their fateful demise. All of the boys were watching them so affectionately. I can't imagine being so close but yet so far to your parents, knowing that you'll never see them again.

Darrel reminding his wife that Darry was home from college for the weekend reminded me how different their lives were just a few months before I met them. Darry was a sophomore in college, Soda was still studying to graduate high school, and Ponyboy's biggest worry was not making the track team that spring. And they were all so incredibly happy.

In the blink of an eye, Ponyboy had dashed away from the tree and began sprinting straight toward his parents. None of us had any time to even try to stop him.

"Ponyboy!" Soda said but kept his voice at a whisper just so he didn't bring any attention to himself.

"Get your ass back here!" Darry called out for him.

"Shit," I groaned. I should have known he was going to be difficult.

Candace turned around when she heard Ponyboy running toward them. Ponyboy stopped right in front of her and looked her up and down, as if determining if she was really there or a figment of his active imagination. She opened her arms to him, and he stepped into her and gave her the biggest hug.

"Damn it," Darry grunted.

"That is so sweet," I said softly. I watched with a heartfelt look on my face because I knew that Ponyboy really needed that hug from his mom. They all need their mom.

I looked at the two brothers, and their faces were longing with heartache. Even though Lillian didn't want them to interfere with their fate, they still deserved to say goodbye to their parents.

"Go ahead," I said and nodded my head toward the reunion taking place without them.

"No, we couldn't," Darry said.

"Go talk to them," I stated with a firmer tone to let them know that it is all right.

Darry looked at me and asked, "are you sure?"

I nodded with a smile. Tears started to well in my eyes just at the thought of them reuniting for the last time. "Yeah. Go."

Darry didn't hesitate to walk over to his parents, and his dad noticed him right away. He walked around the hood of the car to meet Darry beside Pony and Candace and gave him a fatherly hug and ruffed up his hair a bit.

"Are you gonna go?" I asked Soda when I realized that he hadn't moved yet.

His eyes met with mine and he said, "I want you to meet my parents."

"Are you sure?" I asked. I felt guilty with taking time away from just the family being together.

"Yeah. I know that they'd love you," he said with a smile.

I smiled back at him softly and nodded in agreement. Soda and I walked alongside each other, away from the tree and toward their parents. I felt so nervous.

"Pepsi!" His Mom greeted enthusiastically. "Well, butter my backside and call me a biscuit, I thought that all you boys were inside."

"Where do you keep spawning from?" Darrel asked with a hearty chuckle. He gestured to Soda's hair and asked, "when did you get a haircut?"

"Uh... this morning," Soda said and he run his fingers through his hair and gave an awkward closed-mouth smile. Ponyboy kept anxiously glancing back at the house to make sure no one was coming out.

Darry was practically a carbon copy of Darrel. The father and son duo had the same hair, and the same blue-green eyes. Darrel looked quite young, too young to be having a nineteen year old son. It reminded me just how young Darry was and how fast he had to grow up to take care of his brothers.

"We couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye," Darry said to them with a brittle voice.

Candace smiled lovingly at Darry, the way a mother always does. "No tears, son. We won't be gone that long."

She used her perfectly manicured thumb to wipe away a rolling tear on Darry's cheek. He sniffed and smiled softly and put his large hand over hers. I have never seen Darry so vulnerable before. He played it off by saying, "I know... it just feels like it will be a long time."

It's no wonder why all the Curtis boys are so good looking; because their parents are beautiful. She has long and thick golden hair, with enticing yet dancing eyes that reminded me so much of Soda. Candace has this sort of beautiful vibrancy about her that I could only wish to emulate.

Candace looked over at me and she asked politely, "who is this?"

Soda cleared his throat and gestured to me as he said, "this is my girl, Bri."

"Bri?" She repeated. Her eyes brightened more, and a smile picked up her pink lips. For me, everything felt like it was moving in slow motion and it almost didn't feel real.

"It's very nice to meet you." I smiled at her kindly.

"What happened to Sandy?" Darrel asked.

Candace hit his chest with her hand and said under her breath, "don't ask that."

"What? It's just a question," he whispered, as if I wasn't right there listening. It made me chuckle.

"You are just as pretty as a peach, honey. How did you two meet?" Candace asked sweetly.

Soda and I immediately looked at each other. We didn't really discuss what we were going to tell them about our relationship. Do we lie or tell the truth about me being from the future?

Soda finally broke our eye contact and told them confidently, "I met her at the DX. She came in to pay for her gas, and I immediately fell for her."

I saw him try to fight his grin until his eyes met back with mine. I asked in a low voice, "you did?"

"I did. Instantly," he promised.

"That's so sweet," Candace cooed in her comforting southern accent.

"The DX?" Darrel asked. "What were you doing over there?"

Soda and I both realized that he wasn't working at the DX when his parents were alive. He thought quick on his feet and he said, "Steve started working there so I went in to visit him and grab a hot dog."

"Pony, I feel like you've grown a few inches since I saw you this morning," Darrel joked without realizing he was making Ponyboy hold his breath over the statement.

"Maybe I'll grow another foot before you get back," Ponyboy joked back tearfully.

"By the way, Dally says hello," Darry said.

"Has he been staying out of trouble?" Candace asked.

Darry shrugged and chuckled, "more or less."

"It was awfully nice for you guys to come outside but we really have to go," Darrel said while tapping on the face of his watch.

"In a minute." Candace waved him off. "I want to keep talking to our future daughter-in-law."

I chuckled bashfully and tucked some of my dark hair behind my ear. I said, "I've heard so much about you, I'm so glad I got to meet you."

"Do I know your mother, honey? Oh, we must get together for coffee."

"She ain't from around here, mama," Soda chuckled.

"How about you come over for dinner on Sunday night then? We will be back that afternoon and we can get to know you better," she offered.

I smiled sweetly at her, knowing that she will never see Sunday. "I'd love that."

"Sunday evening should be just fine, Lord willing and the creek don't rise," she said.

"I'm really going to miss you, Mom," Ponyboy stated and gave her another hug. He closed his eyes and held her tightly, never wanting to let go.

Candace chuckled and pet Ponyboy's hair gently as she promised, "I'll call you when we get to the hotel, okay?"

Ponyboy nodded, but we all knew that they were never going to make it to the hotel. It shattered my heart, but all of us had to be strong so they didn't know that something was seriously wrong.

"Bye, Mom," Soda said and I could hear his voice trembling. He gave her a hug and said, "I love you so much."

"I love you more," she said gently.

"Oh, I don't think so," he chuckled.

Darry gave his love to his mother next while Soda was saying goodbye to his father. Ponyboy was the last to say goodbye, and I could tell it was really hard for all of them to let their parents go.

We were about to leave but Candace opened her arms for me. I stepped into them and gave her a hug. She smelled of powdery roses. She whispered in my ear, "welcome to the family, Bri."

That made my breath halt in my throat. I hugged her back harder and I closed my eyes. Now that I know that they would have accepted me, I truly felt included and welcomed. Their parents are very sweet people.

"Thank you," I said back softly. I swallowed the lump in my throat, I was trying so hard not to cry.

I happened to glance inside the living room window and I could see Ponyboy watching a show on the couch and I really hoped that he wouldn't look outside. Once his parents waved at us and they got into the car, we walked together in silence back to the tree where the Time Machine was patiently waiting for us so we could go back home.

I didn't send us back to 2018 until we helplessly watched their little car drive down the road and out of the neighborhood. We were all silent as I prepared to send us back to my time.

None of us spoke as we walked quietly into the house. The gang only had to wait a couple of minutes for us, probably relieved that we came back at all.

"How'd it go?" Steve asked in a soft voice.

Soda sniffed gently and said, "it was great."

"I'm glad we got to see them," Darry said in a strong tone. He looked at Lillian and said earnestly, "thank you so much."

"Of course," she smiled kindly. I'm glad she knows how much that meant to them.

Suddenly, the reality of everything hit me like a truck. I found myself sniffling and I tried to hide my red face by refusing to look anyone in the eye. I felt a pair of arms wrap me in a hug. It was my Sodapop. I could not handle saying goodbye again. Especially after what we just did.

"It's okay, Bri, it's going to be okay." He smoothed my hair.

"I don't think I'm ready to let you guys go."

"Come here, I wanna talk to you," Soda said softly.

"No, I will not let myself cry." I could hear emotion trying to break my voice. I just felt so overwhelmed. He lead me into his room, the room that I slept in when back when I lived here.

Soda closed the door and led me to the old rickety bed. We sat on the edge of it, and he looked at me tenderly.

"Remember the first time we met?" He asked.

"How could I forget?" I smiled through my sniffles.

"You needed to get gas for your car, and I thought your face was so darn cute when I told you that it was only a couple bucks," he chuckled. "You were shocked."

"It was my first day," I defended jokingly.

"I remember... after my shift was over, a little car pulled over as I was walking home and offered me a ride. Sure enough, it was you."

"I forgot about that." I blushed. I was so bold back then. I could argue I did it for survival, but I think I knew deep down that I just wanted to be close to him.

"I didn't." He grinned, tears were forming in his eyes, causing them to glisten. "I thought you were a Soc the first time we met. Just about the prettiest damn Soc I'd ever seen. And every day since then, I never stopped thinkin' about you. I could never take my eyes off of you."

I blushed even more, if that was even possible. My cheeks were burning and itchy from the tears that silently tricked down my cheeks.

"I remember when I saw you buckle your safety belt, I thought it was the gosh-darnest thing," he laughed. "Then, I offered that you stay with us, and you were so sweet." He cleared his throat. "I knew I wanted you to be my girl the moment you stepped inside my house and you got along with everyone and their very different personalities. Even Dally likes you. I remember dating Sandy, I wanted to break up with her for a while. There were so many reasons, but none of those reasons mattered until I met you."

I did not know what to say to that. I felt so loved by him. I squeezed his hands gently.

"Then when you left, I just about tore myself to shreds," he chuckled nervously.

"Which time?" I asked.

"Both. I managed to get Dally to admit that you guys were okay, that was the only thing that kept me going."

"This time, you have to go," I sighed. "But you'll visit, right?"

"Of course. Hopefully I ain't gonna be in an old folks home."

"You will not be that old!" I laughed.

"You helped me figure out who I am, and I am real grateful. I wish it could be like this all the time. I've loved every second I was with you." He paused and sighed. "But, it's time to go."

There was nothing I could say that could top what he said to me. I could not even think clearly, I was so full of emotion. I was so happy for them, but so upset.

I hoped that he knew that I felt the same, even though I could not say it. He really can read me like an open book, even before he got to know me. My only regret with him, was that I wish I told him how I felt about him earlier than I actually did.

"I almost forgot." Soda scooped down to the ground and came back up with a smile. He handed me a sweater, folded neatly and set it on my lap. It only took a moment for me to realize that it was his sweater.

"What are you doing?" I asked him tenderly, gently clutching the sweater in my hands. A sweater that meant so much to him.

"I want you to have it."

"Soda." I sighed softly.

"It's okay, really. I really, really want you to have it. Ma woulda made you one anyways." He chuckled.

"But... you love this sweater."

"I do. But I love you even more." He pulled me in and kissed the side of my head. "How about this. Find me within the next few weeks, and give it back to me. Then the next time I see you again, I give it back to you. That way, there will always be a 'see you later'. Okay?"

Now I wish I had something to give him in return so he had something to remember me by. Tears welled in my eyes again. "Okay."

With his hand still in mine, Soda stood up and I stood up with him. He held me in his arms, probably for the very last time. He said, "look up, darlin'."

I looked up at him, with my chest pressing against him. He smiled at me softly, and brushed some of my hair behind my ear. His love for me was so warm and true. I hope I never lose these memories I have of him. And I hope that each step he takes next in his life, he finds happiness and everything he has ever wanted. I can't wait to hear all about his life. He deserves everything good in the world.

"Let me kiss you, just one more time," he begged.

My lips met with his. Soda and I kissed. My heart grew warm, and it made it harder to let him go.

"It hurts to say goodbye. We are really gonna miss you. I know the whole gang sends their love," he said softly.

"Every day that we had together, I will keep them inside my heart," I told him. "I'm so glad I got to know you."

"I don't know what I'd do without you. I love you more than you know. There'll never be anyone else but you for me. Even with the world changing around us so much, nothing will ever change between me and you. My heart is true, and it's yours for as long as I live."

We shared one more kiss before we walked back to the living room and everyone was giving their goodbyes. I set the sweater down on the back of the couch. As much as I'd love to run away from my problems, I knew I had to say goodbye to everyone. I started with Darry, the tough guy who did not even cry when his parents died.

"I remember the first time we met, you did not know that I spent the night but you have showed me nothing but kindness. You immediately made me feel like a part of your family. I want you to know how much I deeply appreciate it." I pulled him into a hug. I got a famous bear hug from Darry once more, I was gonna miss these bear hugs. They always made me feel so safe and secure.

"You are apart of our family, darlin'."

"Thank you." My voice was tight.

"I'll see you in about... fifty years," Darry chuckled softly above my head

I inhaled sharply to stop myself from letting a tear fall down my cheek. "I hope so."

I moved on to Two-Bit.

"You can make any situation into a funny one, and that's a great quality to have," I said, trying to be nice to him for once in my life.

"And I'm your grandpa," he added proudly.

"Yes, that's true." I laughed. I still can't believe he grows up to be a girl-dad. And he is a great father too. A former latchkey kid who turned it around for himself who gave everything he had to his family. All the generational trauma he endured in his own youth ended with him, he never passed that along to his own children. He truly is such a great guy. I'm so proud to be his granddaughter. "So I guess this really isn't 'goodbye', it's more of a 'see you later'. Right?"

"Yeah, kid, I'll see you later." He smiled.

"I'll probably visit you after you guys leave." I sniffled. "Don't forget, Mandie is your second child!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know."

"And Grandma is the one who comes up with the name, so keep your mouth shut."

"Will do." He smiled proudly.

I pulled him into a hug. "I'll see you later, grandpa."

"See you later." He hugged me back. He squeezed me hard, just like he always has.

Next in line was Dally.

My relationship with Dally was complicated, but one thing is for sure: I care for him, and he cares about me. All that we went through together last year really solidified our friendship and made me realize just how big his heart really is.

"Dally," I began. He rolled his eyes for the millionth time so he didn't have to deal with his feelings. "You have saved my ass countless times, I don't even know how to begin to thank you."

"Shoot, it was nothin'." He popped the collar of his vintage leather jacket and crossed his arms.

"It wasn't nothing to me," I said sweetly.

Dally refused to look me in the eye.

"You are a hero," I said, teasing him slightly.

"Shut your trap, doll," he growled.

"You're my hero. And I care about you." I knew that my words were bugging him, that was the point.

"Whatever, man." I saw him fight his crooked smile.

"And I know you care about me." I clicked my tongue.

"Shut up," he snapped.

"You aren't denying it." I smiled so wide at him.

"Just go away."

"You are a really good guy, Dally. I'm going to miss you a lot."

Dally exhaled slowly and his leg was bouncing where he stood. He sniffed a little and said in almost a whisper, "yeah, I'm gonna miss you too."

I gave Dally one last hug, something I know he loathed doing but always seemed to tolerate it when it was me. Dally eventually put his hands on my back and patted me a couple times. This hug came off as if it was a favor for me. That was about as close to a hug I was going to get from Dally with everyone else watching.

I noticed that Jenni and Lillian were saying their goodbyes to everyone too. I could not hear what they were saying, but they were very emotional. I have known the boys twice as long as everyone else, so why was I not falling apart? I'm only leaking.

Next was Ponyboy.

"Ponyboy, we have been through a lot together."

"Yeah." He sniffed. "A lot."

"I do not think I would have made it in that church without you. Don't change, okay?" I rubbed his shoulder.

"I won't, I promise. I'll make you proud of me, Bri."

"Good boy." I smiled.

Ponyboy hugged me and I hugged back. "Lay off the cigarettes, will ya?" I said into his ear.

"I'll try," he chuckled.

Johnny was next.

Hot tears were streaming down my face now. I didn't want to say goodbye, it is so hard. "Windrixville was a real adventure, wasn't it?"

"Yeah," he chuckled. He got nervous and he looked down at his dirty sneakers.

"Don't you ever do anything like that, ever again," I said. "I won't be there to save you next time."

"I'll do my best," he joked.

"I'm going to miss you," I told him truthfully.

"Me too. You're a cool chick, Bri."

"You too, Johnny," I said followed by a little chuckle. I stepped up to him and we hugged, rocking back and forth on our feet. One thing I've learned about Johnny, is that he is never the first to let go.

Johnny felt like a part of me in a way. I saw so much of myself in him, I wanted to protect him like it was my job. I did all that I could, now my job is to let him go. My purpose in his life was over.

Next I was face to face with Steve. His lip was curled in resentment, he didn't seem too keen on having to go home either. His arms were crossed over his chest, blocking the Van Halen graphic on his t-shirt that he cut the sleeves off of.

"We did not really get a chance to really hangout much, did we?" I asked.

"No, not really," he said with a shrug. Steve was probably the one member of the gang I never really had one-on-one quality time with unless you count the shifts we had together at the DX. We still got along though, he was funny and always found a way to make me laugh.

"I wish we could have done something about that." I shrugged. Steve is pretty private and reserved, and sometimes unapologetic and insensitive. I found him to be a bit aloof and distant, so we didn't really get close. "Since we all know that you don't leave the DX, I'll visit a lot."

"Now that I know that I never leave, I might try to change that," he said.

"Maybe you will," I said with a smile. "No matter what you do, you will be great."

"Thanks, Bri." He gave me a sad smile. He wrapped his buff arms around me and gave me a tight hug.

I didn't want to let go. If I let go, that meant I had to talk to Soda. If I talk to Soda, then that means they really have to leave. He was last in my line, but certainly not least.

We technically already said our goodbyes when I first got to the house. When I stood in front of him now, it felt a little more real.

"Soda—" I started. My voice was already breaking.

"Don't," he interrupted. He held my hands in his. "Let's just spend our last minutes together, together. Not talking about the sad stuff."

"You're my best friend. I'm scared this is the last time I get to see you again." I sniffed.

"Come on, now. Don't talk that way."

"It's just so unfair. It feels like I just found you, and now I've lost you again."

Soda opened his arms up for me and I walked right into them. He rested his head against mine, and didn't let go. This is our last goodbye, and pretty soon it'll all be over. I stayed in his arms until it was Lillian's turn to say goodbye.

"It's my fault. I'm just a sucker that fell in love with a girl I can't have, huh?" He said with a sigh.

"If I had the choice, I'd never let you go. I'm going to miss you," I said quietly, still in the hug. I need him so much, I can't let him go.

"My love for you lives on no matter where I go. I'll be yours forever." He squeezed me tighter.

"Don't forget me, okay?"

"I could never forget you. I promise. Even when we go back, I'll still be thinking about you for the rest of my life."

I stepped back and waited for Jenni and Lillian to filter through the line. I stood there, trying not to cry. My boys were going to leave me. My face was hot and probably red, tears filled my eyes as I tried to think of anything to get my mind off of the situation at hand.

"Oh, Bri," Pony said sympathetically, bringing all the attention on me.

"No, I'm fine," I laughed through my tears and tried to wave it off. "I'm just really gonna miss you guys."

Pony walked up to me and hugged me once more. This prompted Two to run and join, followed by Dally, Soda and Steve, Johnny, then Darry. They all squished me in a group hug that I will forever cherish.

"You'll always be a part of the gang, Bri," Soda said.

"Yeah. Forever," Dally added, followed by a nonchalant clearing of his throat. "You're a grease for life."

"There will always be a room for you if you ever want to come and visit," Darry chuckled.

I laughed, surrounded by the love and affection for them all. My boys. I will forever love my boys.

"Everyone ready?" Lillian asked.

The guys slowly started to let go and look over at Lillian. She was standing beside her newly built Time Machine, with a sad smile on her face.

"Yeah. Come on, guys," Darry said gently. The guys all dispersed and headed over to the Time Machine that Steve helped Lillian build, and they all grabbed a hold of the metal headband.

"We are ready," Steve stated.

"Darry, you got the paper?" Lillian asked, referring to the instructions on how to properly destroy the Time Machine.

Darry nodded and patted his back pocket.

My heart was pounding in my throat, like I was about to witness an execution. I couldn't bare to watch, but I also couldn't go through with it either. We all knew this day was coming, I just didn't realize how soon it was.

Lillian was inputting the destination date when I stopped her. "Wait, wait."

I ran up to Soda and threw my arms around his neck and brought him down to me in a hug. He grunted a little bit but turned it into a chuckle. He hugged me back just as tightly and stood up straight so my feet lifted off the ground.

"I don't want you to go," I said, buried in his chest.

"I wish you could come with me," he whispered back. His heart was breaking in front of me, but I have no choice but to let him go.

I turned my head to the side and noticed that Two had walked over to Lillian and he gave her a goodbye kiss on the cheek. I hate to admit that I've never seen him like this before. I love my best friend, and I was glad that she found happiness. Even if it's with my grandfather.

"Gag!" Dally yelled. It caused all of us to chuckle.

I lifted my head up from Soda's chest and he put my feet back down on the ground. With our foreheads close together, at the same time we said, "I love you."

"If I don't see you again, I need you to know that I always loved you. Just remember that I won't be far away. Just close your eyes, and think of yesterday and we will be there, together," he said.

I reluctantly backed away from him, feeling him slip through my fingers for the last time. It took everything in me to let him go. I saw a surge of sadness in his beautiful brown eyes, and he grabbed a hold of the metal headband just as Two was retreating back to everyone else.

Lillian clicked a button which made the Time Machine whirl and buzz. She put her hand on the metal bar that is supposed to send them back to 1966 once she pulls it.

With an unsteady voice, Jenni said, "we will miss you."

The guys were silent. They never really liked dealing with sad things, and this was certainly one of those times. Johnny had his eyes closed, bracing for the harsh impact of time traveling again. Two was looking at Lillian longingly, I was almost afraid he was going to let go at the last second and stay here. My eyes bounced between Dally and Soda, I was going to miss them most of all.

I could hear Lillian counting down quietly to herself. She pulled the lever, and my eyes went toward Soda. Soda smiled at me, and he gave me a small wave. I saw tears in his eyes. I had a feeling that I was losing him forever.

There was a bright white light that blinded us all. I had to turn away and cover my eyes. The moment I looked back, they were gone and the Time Machine was gone. It was as if they were never here.

I took the opportunity to steal into a moment from way back when. I could see the memory so vividly, Soda's eyes were dancing in the only way they knew how. My heart was thumping in my chest, from both the adrenaline and just being in his presence. He drove his cars fast, real fast. When we borrowed Dally's T-Bird that he stole from Buck, we would blast the radio and drive like we were never going to turn back. He would take his eyes off the road to look at me, where he flashed me his enchanting smile. With the wind in our hair, the sun in our eyes, and the music in our ears. We were invincible. We were alive.

I can take myself there whenever I want. It's the way he smiles when he looks at me, like I'm the only person in the world. And when it fades away, it leaves behind a ray of golden sunshine that will forever be a part of him. I am so happy that I met him. I can still feel his love inside of me, and he is safe forever in my heart.

"That's it." I sniffed. "They're gone. Just like that?"

"I can't believe it." Jenni had tears falling from her eyes, spilling onto her cheeks.

"I should have gone with him," I choked out, covering my trembling mouth with my hands.

It didn't feel real. How were they gone from our lives forever? I had never felt so far away from Soda, we were a lifetime apart. Maybe in another life, I would make him stay here with me.

All three of us hugged each other. I was expecting Steve to bust through the front door yelling, "sup bitches, I'm back", or Two sitting in front of the TV eating his favorite chocolate cake. But that wasn't going to happen. I was never going to see that ever again.