“I’m Sebastian Wolcott.” He grinned. “It’s nice to meet you, Zoey.”
“Same. Maybe I’ll see you around. Come on, Dad. We have to get the boxes up to my room.”
“I’ll return the cart to you.”
“No problem. Take your time.” He smiled, holding up the money I had just paid him.
“I can’t believe you paid that boy for the cart.” Sam smacked my arm.
“Why? There was no way I was carrying all these boxes up three flights of stairs.”
We loaded the cart and took the elevator up to the third floor.
“Ah,” Zoey screamed when she saw Maya. “Sorry, we’re late. My dad was paying off some guy, so he’d let us use his cart.”
“Cool, Mr. Castile.”
“Thank you, Maya.” I smiled.
Three hours later, the dorm room was complete, and the excessive amount of throw pillows was neatly placed on Zoey’s bed.
“Hey, Zoey.” Sebastian stood in the doorway.
“Hey, Sebastian. This is my best friend, Maya.”
“Nice to meet you. Would you two like me to show you around? This is my second year here.”
“That would be great. Bye, Mom.” She hugged Sam. “Bye, Dad.” She turned and hugged me. “And by to you, little sister.” She hugged her. “I’ll see you soon. Don’t miss me too much,” she told her. “Love you, guys. But it’s time for you to go home.” And just like that, she was gone.
Sam reached over and smacked me.
“What?” I asked.
“This is your fault. You introduced her to that boy, and now he has become more important than us.”
I chuckled. “Come here.” I wrapped my arms around her. “She’s happy, Sam.”
“I suppose,” she sighed.
“She’ll be home visiting before we know it.”
“You sure about that?” Her brow raised.
“No.” I shook my head. “No, I’m not.”
By the time we arrived back home, it was late. Sam took Charlotte upstairs, changed her into her pajamas, and laid her down for the night. Once she was done, she joined me on the couch.
“Listen,” I said.
“Listen to what?”
“The silence. There’s no music blaring, teenagers laughing, no arguing. Isn’t it grand?” I smiled.
“Honestly, it is. But I already miss her.”
“So, do I, baby. So do I.”
Sam’s phone rang. “It’s Zoey!” Her eyes lit up. “Hello.” She put it on speaker.
