“Go,” Aggie urged, and I watched as Mom’s face fell. She seemed to be thinking about something, and I waited patiently to hear what was on her mind now.
“Let me hug you before you leave,” she said, her voice low now.
I climbed down the ladder and let her hug me. “Maybe I’m acting like this because I don’t want you to leave,” she whispered.
“I know. But you have no other choice.”
Another sigh escaped her, and she let go of me to look back into my eyes. Instead of saying goodbye, she pressed her lips into a thin line, then proceeded to walk into their bedroom.
“She’ll get over it. Come on, let’s get your things downstairs.”
*
I didn’t have to wait too long for Ezra to arrive. He parked his car on the side of the street and got out to come and help me with the suitcases.
I smiled as he approached me, and when he reached me, I pulled him close to me by pulling at his coat.
He kissed me softly, smiling. “Hey, gorgeous,” he whispered.
“Hi.” Ever since we were back together, the butterflies in my stomach wouldn’t stop flying.
“Hello, Ezra,” Aggie said as I let go of him, and he smiled at Aggie and lifted his hand to wave at her.
“Good to see you again,” he told her.
“You guys are invited over for Christmas dinner on Saturday night. Sound good?”
“That’s perfect, thanks,” Ezra replied, grabbing two of the suitcases sitting in the snow next to us.
“Did you pack everything you need?”
“Yes. I do have some things left in my room, but I don’t need to take them with me right now,” I explained.
“Great.” He put everything into the trunk of his car, and I hugged Aggie one last time before walking to the car.
“Call me if you need anything, all right?”
“I will. Bye!”
I was about to get into the car as Mom stepped next to Aggie in the doorway. She looked pained, and I gave her a quick smile and nod, letting her know that I was going to be okay. I was safe with Ezra, and I was ready for us to be together twenty-four-seven.
“I’ll take good care of her, Daria. I promise,” Ezra said, and Mom nodded after giving him a skeptical look.
“Have a safe trip,” Aggie called out, and we both got into the car to finally drive off to our apartment.
I breathed in and out as deeply as possible, then I turned in my seat to look at Ezra. “It’s gonna be you and me from now on.”
He smiled and reached for my hand, squeezing it tight and then bringing it up to his lips to kiss it.
“Forever,” he added.
Ezra becoming my new teacher was that one serendipitous event that neither of us looked for, but I was so damn happy we met, and I couldn’t wait to see where our love would take us next.
