Chapter 26
Goodbyes are never easy, its never easy to watch the one you love walk away. They suck and Hope hates them so much, in fact she's actually been thinking of just getting on that plane with Kelley. What does she have to lose. There's nothing for her here, then she thinks of her job, Carli, her mom. They would understand right? All this was going thru her head on her way to drop Kelley off at the airport
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The last few weeks before Kelley had to leave had been pretty great. They had been inseparable really, almost to the point where Kelley was pretty much living with Hope for the most part. They had dinner at Jerry's two nights a week, Hope even spent a few nights there on request of Jacob who had begged her to have a sleepover and watch movies with them. And who was Hope to say no.
Jacob had taken such a liking to Hope, his eyes would light up every time he would see Hope. It was such a turn over, he had closed down a little after his mom passed away but now it seemed like he was back to his true self. And Jerry was more than happy to have his son back to the happy kid he used to be.
The last week before Kelley had to go, Tobin and Alex came up to Seattle for the day. Hope had arranged to have dinner with them and had invited Carli to come along. Carli brought Bryan, a guy she had been seeing for a while now. To say Hope was surprised was an understatement. She was actually a little hurt her bestfriend had not mentioned she had a boyfriend at all.
"What the actual fuck Carli, how am I now just finding out you have a boyfriend?" Hope had followed Carli to the restroom after she had excuse herself.
Carli had rolled her eyes and just shrugged it off saying he wasn't her boyfriend, he was just a guy friend she'd been seeing for a while now.
Hope was still a little hurt about it but decided to just let it go for now, they would have a long talk about it soon. They went back to their table and had a great dinner. It was good to see Carli get along with Tobin and Alex, they had hit it off, and she could tell Kelley was happy to see them get along too. Bryan, Carli's new boyfriend or whatever he was to her, seem to hit it off with everyone too. Hope was still a little wary about him, she needed to make sure he was good enough for her best friend and made a mental note to get to know him better on a one to one basis.
The guys at the Bean were sad to see Kelley go. On her last day at work they decided to throw a going away party for Kelley after they closed one night. Which as much as Kelley loved them for it, she hated it. She had made such good friends here, she was gonna miss them a lot, specially Tim. By the time the party died down, she was a little bit of a mess saying goodbye to everyone. If it was hard to say bye to them she could only imagine how hard it was going to be saying goodbye to Hope.
The O'haras house had been hard to leave, the kids did not make it easy at all specially Jordan who had cried and begged Kelley to not go. Kelley couldn't hold back her tears, promising him to call and Skype as much as she could. Jacob had just been really quiet keeping to himself, he gave her a hug and just went up to his room.
Jerry was sad to see his little sis go. He knew it would only be until she graduated. He knew she would take the first plane back as soon as she had her diploma in her hands. But it didn't make it easier knowing she would be gone for almost a year. She hugged him and Jordan again for the third time before Hope reminded her they needed to go.
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So yes goodbyes were a hard specially when it came to a loved one. But it was only for 10 months, Hope kept reminding herself that. They were going to see each other on Thanksgiving, maybe Christmas and for sure for New Years.
The silence in the ride to the airport was killing Kelley, she looked over at Hope, she had this look on her face, the one she got whenever she was over thinking stuff, it was kinda cute Kelley thought. They way she would constantly bite her lower lip. But she could also see the saddens on her face and it killed her.
"I love you" Kelley said squeezing Hopes hand that she had been holding the whole ride and bringing it to her lips, placing a kiss on top of it. Hope smiled glacing over to where Kelley still had her hand to her lips.
"I love you too Kell" was all Hope said feeling so emotional, she gave a squeeze back and kept her eyes on the road stealing little glances every now and then at Kelley.
It was all they said in the car, they fell silent for the rest of the way to the airport. After parking the car Hope was about to open the door when she felt herself being pulled back to her seat, before she knew it Kelley was on top of her kissing her.
"I don't wanna go" Kelley said after pulling away "I wanna stay with you."
"I know, I know believe me I don't want you to go" Hope said running her hands up and dowm Kelley's back "we'll talk everyday ok? And Thanksgiving it's only a few months from now, we'll see eachother then."
"I know, it still really sucks tho." Kelley said her lips forming into a pout, Hope following with a pout of her own.
"Hey come on as much as I would love for you to miss your flight, we're already a little late so we need to hurry and get you on that flight before you miss it." Hope said giving Kelley one last deep kiss before she got out of the car, Hope following behind.
They got Kelley's stuff out of the trunk and headed inside. After a long hug, which took everything out of both of them to let go, Kelley was walking away with tears still in her eyes. This was going to be the most agonizing months ever. She was still in the same state as Hope and she already missed her like crazy.
The next few months were going to feel like years. And now Hope was dreading her decision. She loved Kelley so much, but she was beyond scared to what the distance might do to them. All she could hope for was for their love to be strong enough to make it through.