Brick felt like an outsider, somehow. Sure he got a send off from his mom and step-dad. Even his gram came down with her her husband and his son to make sure all his stuff got to his dorm room. Still, he felt a little lost seeing all his friends from home at Izzy and Cowan's.
"Oh, it'll be fine," Harley kept telling him.
Brick was quiet. He couldn't find the words to tell her that she needed to be here for him to come home too. After all, she was busy getting ready for a new school year. And they would both have more classes to tackle even if most of hers were online with a Teacher's University.
"Can you imagine if I moved all the way there," she talked about how happy she was that she didn't have to go anywhere. "It would be such a long drive, I'd never get to see you."
It didn't make him any happier.
"I just don't like change," he finally admitted.
"I know, but it happens, no matter what," she sounded older than he remembered. "But you know we'll keep in contact every day."
Harley was happy to see where he would be living. It was in a new dorm with lots of closet space. Brick was here on a basketball scholarship. "You'll work hard, like you always do." She took his hand like she knew he was scared. He hadn't even met his roommate.
"We're so proud of you," she told him with a smile.
Even so, he knew it would be hard work. He wasn't thinking of a new era, he didn't even know if he knew what it might take to achieve a moment on the court. It was an uneasy feeling, but hugging Harley helped.
"I gonna miss you so much," he felt the warm tears trickling down his face.
"You know, I love you," she said and he said he loved her too. "You can do this."
A nod was all he could manage, but he didn't want to let her go.
"Mercer will be here shortly, he'll show you around campus," she told him. "You've got friends here already and I trust them. Izzy said you can always come to Sunday dinner."
Brick sighed. Harley let go and looked him in the eye. "It'll be fine."
He kissed her then hoping she'd stay just a little longer, and she did for a few more minutes.
Nice chapter.
ReplyDeleteOften we don't enjoy or like changes but they are a part of life.
Moving is stressful, I can understand why he doesn't want to do it.
Maybe she sounds older because she's giving him advice.
I like the closing paragraph as well.
Kissing someone to make them stay a bit longer.
That's a cool trick!
Nice
ReplyDeleteThe routine is comfortable and the places we always go to seem more reliable, but the time always comes to take new steps, to make changes.
ReplyDelete(ꈍᴗꈍ) Poetic and cinematic greetings.
💋Kisses💋
Change can be hard at first but then it gets better.
ReplyDeleteReally personal and romantic
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI love the end of the story today
Me gusto el fragmento. Siempre es bueno contar con la familia y amigos. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteAaaaaaw....totally understand how Brick is feeling. Hope things work out for him at school, and I wonder what is next in store for him and Harley? I guess we'll just have to wait and see:)
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a great start to the week so far, Ellie:)
Change of any kind is always a source of discomfort and fear about what will happen in the future. It can be difficult at first, but with time we can come to realise that this change was the best thing that could happen. That ending is very good! I really enjoyed it! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteChanges are hard, but I'm sure things will be sorted out soon.
ReplyDeleteHarley 's encouraging Brick to ease his fear of location change. Nice of her, a real friend in need!
ReplyDeleteOh it makes me feel how it seems like starting to stay in dorm as from friends and family.
ReplyDeleteBit sad but not when we focus on motive behind this challenge