Chapter 569: Goodbye

I didn't go back to Harvard right away. The Kennecott twins wanted to watch over Liam in the cavern for a few days. And I needed to stay near him.

When I finally went home to my house, collapsed on my own bed, the quiet night outside soothing me close to sleep, I was thankful for the break. Shenka returned to school, promising to catch me up on work if it killed her. I wasn't worried, not really.

If I failed Elemental Interactions, it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Snort.

When I felt him in the back yard, tears welled in my eyes, but my body was already moving, carrying me down the stairs and to the door. I sat next to him in the chill September night, my hip tucked against his on the bench, so familiar, this meeting place, it almost felt like it would never end.

But everything ends. Everything. Eventually.

Quaid slid his arm around my shoulders and I settled against him, though without romantic intent. Just a comfortable, calm and soothing moment, two friends supporting eac