^{If you missed the first book - Fireflies - you might want to start there. It's here in its completion, written for Steemit. If you enjoy it, feel free to ask to be added to the subscriber list for the sequel, where new chapters are being released daily.}

Entry 29

The hug goodbye was awkward on both sides, but both parties forced themselves to be as natural as possible.

"I'd love to stay in touch. Maybe this summer, I can look for internships near you. We can pick up where we're leaving off?"

"Sounds like a plan," she lied. Attempting to relax the tension between them, she teased. "I'll make sure we keep the chacha far away from you this time."

He looked at her with hesitancy, unsure of her mood. She nudged him playfully and smiled, easing his apprehension.

"Yeah! I think I'm done with that. Apple juice is about my speed from now on!"

"It really wasn't that big of a deal, you know." She faced him and tried to radiate as much sincerity as she could. "You're a good guy, Caleb."

"I guess. Not such a bad thing to stay on my toes though, right?"

His laughter held the light-hearted feel that Talia remembered from their first meeting on the plane. He would be alright. The embarrasing part of his trip would be one of the things on his long list of "never agains", no different from every other college student.

Reaching into his bag, he pulled out his phone. "Here's my contact info. Reach out and let me know when you get home safely?"

"Sure." This time, she wasn't sure it was a lie. She didn't have any other friend in this world, and she wasn't about to toss the one she did have. It might be nice to talk to someone other than the bagger at the supermarket who always mechanically asked if she needed help to her car. She typed her phone number into his phone. When he texted, she would respond.

Her towncar arrived shortly after. Once again, she had made separate arrangements to stay an additional day back at her hotel, so that she wouldn't have to share the group bus back to the airport with all the trek mates. She was sure that they secretly assumed she was a snob, but that was a price she was willing to pay to keep her distance.

Caleb quickly picked up her bags before she had the chance to shrug off his help. He was hoping to extend their final minutes in any way possible. Talia didn't see the harm in it, so she followed along behind him.

After the bags were in the trunk, he moved quickly to the door, before the driver had the opportunity to usher her in.

"See you later, Sunshine?"

She wrinkled her nose at the nickname, but laughed gently. The silicone sun no longer reminded her of her shortcomings, but of the person that it actually reflected. Her mom's presence was still tangible, Bryd was alive...ish, she had a plan to bring him back, and she had a friend in this world.

Maybe life was about to take a turn for the better.

^{Thank you to @penderis for making my beautiful dreemgirl divider :)}

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