“Okay, are we doing this or what?” Steph asks, “I’m dying to find out where everyone’s going.”
The guys chuckle.
They all agreed they’d keep it a secret until graduation day, we wanted as much time together as possible without the knowledge of just how far we’re going to be split up weighing down on us.
“Me first,” Miller grins. “I’m staying here.”
We all look confused for a second, at least until Claire speaks up. “Holy shit, you’re playing with Chris?”
Lucas gapes, “you lucky fucker.”
Miller nods, “yup, and I’m on a five-year contract, so I’ll be staying here for a long time. Not to mention, it’s right inthe middle of the country, so I’ll be close to all of you no matter where you end up.”
Steph rolls her eyes, “you don’t have to brag.”
August elbows her, “you’re going to love Florida, don’t try to pretend like it’s the worst thing in the world.”
“Congrats, man,” Blair shoves him. “You’re going to dominate next year with that kind of team.”
“Too bad even the best coaches can’t fix what’s wrong with you,” Johnny jokes.
August smiles, “where’d you get drafted? I hope it’s as far away from me as possible.”
He sounds like he’s serious, but I know he’s going to miss him. The two of them get on each other’s nerves, but they love each other. That will never change.
“Colorado. Sasha’s coming with.” Johnny smirks, “watch out guys, cause we’re coming for the cup.”
“Fat chance,” Steph teases. “Not with my man on the ice.”
Lucas and Blair stare at each other for a second, then turn to the rest of the group. “We kind of already told each other,” Lucas admits.
“It was mostly an accident,” Blair adds.
Claire elbows both of them, “if by accident you mean ran to each other the second you found out, then yeah… totally an accident.”
“You know?” I ask her.
“Of course I know,” she raises a brow. “Lucas can’t lie to me to save his life.”
Part of me doesn’t want to hear where they’re going, cause it means that it’s real. We’re really going to be living on opposite sides of the country soon.
“I’m going to Chicago,” Blair tells us.
“And I’m going to Vancouver,” Lucas beams.
There it is. We’re all leaving. We’re all going to very different places, places where we won’t be able to see one another whenever the hell we want.
I’m not going to get to see Claire and Steph every day, and I’m not going to get to go on drives with Lucas anymore.
This really sucks.
We all pull each other into a big hug, holding tight, and barely concealing the ugly tears starting to form in all of our eyes.
“Promise to text all the time,” I tell them.
“It’s not going to be the same without you guys,” Claire sniffles.
I look to my left, making direct eye contact with Lucas. He smiles softly at me, “we’re not letting go, we’re just saying see you later.”
