Part 57 - Promise me?

Y/n

Closing the lid on my box was a lot more difficult this year than I remember it being, but that was a good thing.

I ended up having to run over to Enid's dorm before she left and borrow a piece of ribbon from her so I could utilize it into a sort of way to keep everything held together, because there was no way this box was staying shut all the way home without it.

Wednesday had been standing in the corner of the room while I was in there, so I attempted to ask how she was doing, but that was clearly something I should have known I would get no answer to, because she simply stared at me briefly before returning to her own packing.

Yeah, cool, meee toooo.

But now I was back in my room, sitting weirdly on the floor next to my bed, because god forbid my brain actually lets me sit cross legged like a normal human being, when sitting like this way was so much more fun. 

I didn't care too much about how it affected my posture, I'll worry about that later. Right now I was focused on looking over everything that I had put in the box this year.

Photos, clippings from newspapers, drawings and doodles I'd done in my spare time, and even a few hand written notes from my friends and boyfriend that I had kept on the corkboard above my desk, all stuff that contributed to the fact that I most definitely needed to find a bigger box to bring with me when I come back next year.

Not to mention my little mouse plush, which I have now kind of accepted to have been seen by Pugsley that day when I found him tucked under my arm, but he never brought it up, so neither did I.

I just placed him in said box, along with every other memory inside.

I never thought that I would end up making enough of them to fill it to the top, but it brought a warmth to my heart knowing that was the case. To know that I had experienced so much in my time here, that it no longer fit in its original hiding place.

The last thing put inside, atop of all the stacks of paper, was the note that Pugsley had left on my desk the day that I went dress shopping, wishing me a good day and saying that he'd be here if I needed him. 

I think it may be my new favorite sentimental item in here.

And as I took a moment to stare at it, I heard a pair of footsteps come up behind me, before a figure crouched down next to where I was, looking down at the box with a small smile.

"Aw, you kept my note."

While I knew that he was there, the sudden noise still made me jump a tiny bit, and my head whipped up to look at Pugsley giving me those kind eyes that made me melt.

But I felt like getting back at him a little for spooking him, so I flick his arm, to which he didn't even flinch.

"Of course I did."

I stood up, and he rose right along with me as I placed the box down on my bed, which was now bare after being stripped of it's comfiness, and I tied up the ribbon around to keep the lid shut. 

There was a small huff from the boy standing beside me, but he soon left a kiss to my temple, and I felt him grin against my skin.

"You're cute."

My hands paused momentarily, and he wandered back over to his side of the room to gather up his own belongings in a pile. 

I swear, every time he says something like that, which since last night when things became official between us, has been A LOT, I feel like that one girl in the video where she dots mascara to the corner of her eyelids and then acts all sassy.

It just felt so good to hear him call me cute, or beautiful, and it felt extra good when he kissed me.

I had a little talk with him last night after we got back to the dorm about how he doesn't technically have to ask for my permission every time he wants to kiss me, because he was my boyfriend now, and I wanted him kiss to me spontaneously. 

I'm pretty sure that he got the idea, but there was still that tiny bit of hesitation when he did it. We'll work on it.

I finished tying the ribbon into a small bow, securing the box closed before I turned on my heels and walked across the room and out into the hallway, where Pugsley and I had started to collectively place all of our stuff so we could carry it down after locking up.

Most of it was mine, he packed a lot lighter than I did. And somehow he only had a couple of bags of his things, plus a few extra small items, while the pile was majority my stuff. Clothes, shoes, various bits and pieces that just added up over time, all shoved into a few duffle bags and a suitcase.

It took longer than I thought to get all of my things into bags in the first place, partly because I was having a little trouble figuring how I was supposed to fit everything neatly, which in the end I completely gave up on and just shoved stuff in and hoped for the best,

But also mostly because I kept getting distracted by Pugsley when he made jokes, finding odd scribbles and notes he'd left for himself that made no sense, seeing as a lot of them were written down when he was half asleep, and we couldn't stop laughing at the absurdity of them all.

And we still had to go and grab Pugsley's chest of goods that Eugene had been holding onto for us in his dorm, which would be a bit of a bigger task with how heavy it was, but we've done it before, I'm sure we can manage.

I think I'm mostly just worried about putting strain on my right arm, since it still held a very faint ache to it underneath the layers of bandage that Pugsley had personally wrapped around my injury, saying he didn't trust anyone else to be careful with me.

I appreciated that he wanted to make sure I was properly taken care of, but honestly I could have done it myself.

Pugsley walked over, holding his own little box that held his notebooks and sticky notes that had been stuck to his shelves, and he added to the pile. Now that all of our stuff was out in the hall, the only thing left to do was to head down the hall for the chest.

He turned to me with a huff.

"Alright, you ready for some heavy lifting?"

I simply look up at him with a pained smile, nodding sarcastically.

"Yyyeaaahhh.."

He snorts, shoving my arm gently.

"You know you don't have to, I'm not going to make you exhaust yourself on my account."

Hah, like I was going to let him stop me from doing this. I would rather carry it by myself than cave to his offer, I am totally fiiiine.

I shake my head, shrugging like it was no big deal.

"Watch me, Addams."

His mouth pulled up into an amused grin, and he laughs softly, with the sun filtering through the windows in our room hitting the side of his face perfectly lighting up his features as he tilted his head in agreement at my antics.

"Alright then, let's see what you got."

He gestured his head down the hall, and he started on his move down the floorboards with them squeaking under each step. When I first started at Nevermore I thought the sound was rather annoying, but now it was sort of comforting knowing that nothing had changed. I just hope they don't decide to replace the flooring over the break.

I followed after my boyfriend, keeping up just walking at his heels as we made our way down to the open door that came into our view soon enough, which once crossed through, would lead into where our friend waited for us to arrive.

You know, I think I'm still kind of trying to get used to the idea of this whole 'having a boyfriend' thing. 

It's not that I don't absolutely love it, because I do. I really do. But I guess that I just always thought that finally getting a boyfriend would have to be this huge shift in my life, where I would have to face a shit ton of changes that I wasn't prepared for, that I'd have to center my whole existence around this other person attached to my hip.

I suppose my fears were rooted to thinking that I would need a boyfriend, instead of just wanting one. That I would end up relying on him too much, to the point where I forget how to be my own person, how to think for myself.

If only I had known back then just how simple it was going to be.

I didn't need Pugsley as a boyfriend, but I sure as hell wanted him.

I mean it probably helped a little bit that the only thing that really changed about my relationship with him was what I told people when they ask what he is to me. But that, plus the fact that I now got to kiss him whenever I please, was it.

We still acted the same, bantered and smiled at each others jokes and subtle digs like we've been doing our entire friendship, and now it's just evolved into something even greater, there's nothing challenging about it.

He was still just my best friend. Only now he was truly mine, in every sense of the word.

And after walking ourselves down the hall, passing by a couple of students on their way out, Pugsley finally walked into Eugene's room, while I stayed in the doorway, leaning myself against the threshold as I watched his presence be acknowledged by the curly haired boy standing by his bed.

While the two greeted each other in a friendly manner, I noticed that Eugene too had gathered up all of his stuff into a pile in preparation of finally getting to go home today, and my eyes glanced over at him as he gave me a short wave, which I returned in kind. 

Last night when Pugsley and I had gotten back to our dorm, I had found my phone laying on my nightstand where I left it yesterday, and it held countless texts and missed calls from Eugene, asking where I was and if I was okay, and clearly my disappearance had him worried all night, so he was the first person I went to when I woke up this morning.

I had been met with bleary eyes at 7am when he opened the door to see me there, and I got a very relieved hug along side a lot of worries he had made very clear to me, mostly just saying 'I thought you were dead' over and over again, but I assured him that I was fine, without making a huge deal about the scar on my arm, and thankfully neither did he.

And now he seemed to be back to normal, calm and no longer fearful of my demise, and he was currently focused on helping Pugsley drag the chest that we came here for, out of the corner he had stashed it in so we could take it off his hands at last.

Once it had been pulled to sit in the open area of the floor, Pugsley crouched down and clicked open the lid carefully, lifting it up to check the insides to make sure that everything he left in it was still there since last he looked.

I don't think he really believed that anything had been taken, but better safe than sorry I suppose.

And as he rummaged through the items, with Eugene now being blocked from his view by the lid of the chest, I watched said bee boy move over to his bed, and he grabbed a small cardboard box off the top of one of his desk shelves before wandering back over to his original spot. 

The outside of the box was completely plain, giving no indication or hint to what lay inside, and Eugene stood silently in wait for Pugsley to finish what he was doing, presumably so he could give my boyfriend the mysterious gift.

It didn't take long for his inventory checks to be done, but as soon as they were, Pugsley sighed deeply and gave the contests of the chest one last glance before his hand pulled the lid back down to shut it closed again, and only then did he see just how quietly Eugene had been waiting, because he flinched ever so slightly when he finally noticed the boy towering over him, box in hand.

Honestly Eugene looked a little menacing just waiting there not saying anything, I mean not even a cough to make his position known, but I guess he had a different idea of what being patient looks like.

Pugsley rose from the floor rather quickly once he had realized Eugene was standing there, and he straightened out his legs until he became taller than the other boy again, staring down at the box in Eugene's hands, which was soon held out for Pugsley to take in his own.

He was hesitant at first, glancing between the box and Eugene, but when he didn't see any looks of malice, he carefully accepted the gift.

But he didn't open it immediately upon receiving it, and instead looked up at Eugene one final time before he spoke quietly, with a touch of nervousness.

"This isn't gonna explode in my face, is it?"

Seriously? After all this time, he still thinks that... Okay you know what, fair.

Eugene shook his head, letting out a small huff through his nose as he smiled.

"A little snack for the road."

Even with his reassuring statement, Pugsley still seemed to be a bit wary of opening it up, and his head turned over to face me silently, and I shrugged.

I mean, I doubt anything bad will happen.

And I think Pugsley picked up on my thoughts, because only after I did that, did he finally lift the lid off of the box in his hands, and he took a glance at what was inside.

I couldn't see what it was myself from where I stood, but if the smile that grew on Pugsley's face was any sign as to if it was going to blow up or not, then I'd say that he's very much in the clear.

"Don't forget to pace yourself."

Eugene's words were a little less light hearted than before. But hey, if it's food in there, then maybe I can convince Pugsley to share a bit with me.

Actually...maybe not. I think I just saw the box move.

Pugsley grins down at the mysterious yet most likely living contents inside, and I could hear his tone become less afraid, and more grateful towards Eugene.

"Woah...thanks."

He placed the lid back down over the top, sealing away whatever thing he had been given, and there was a tiny adorable smile on his face showing how happy he was that Eugene was actually being nice to him, without having to be told to do so.

Eugene's eyes glanced over to me, and he sighed when he saw how thrilled I look now that they were finally talking like buddies, before returning his focus back to my boyfriend.

"You know, I was thinking..over the break, if you're not too busy..you could..come for a visit?"

I internally fist bumped the air when Eugene's words reached my ears, and my smile was turning out to be just as wide as Pugsley's was. There was just something about watching friendships flourish like this that made me unbelievably happy inside.

Especially when I know that I might have had something to do with it.

Pugsley's expression shifted to one of mild surprise, like for a moment he didn't really understand what he had just heard, but he looked joyful about the idea of it anyway.

"Really? To your actual house?"

While I was mostly focused on staring at the really cute look that Pugsley had on his face, I saw Eugene nod gently out of the corner of my eye.

"That's what friends do, right?"

I never thought I could feel so proud. I know that technically I was Pugsley's first friend, but it was a different kind of feeling watching him make another one, and I didn't even have to do anything. 

He just looked so happy to have finally gotten the word 'friends' to come out of Eugene's mouth, and it was the most adorable thing in the world to watch. I might have to look away before I start crying.

Dramatics aside, I really was happy that the two of them were now friends. They have a lot more in common than I think either of them realize, so it'll be good for them to sit down and actually talk about their interests. I have a feeling they're going to get along pretty well...

And as much as I hated the idea of ruining the little moment they had going on here, I felt the urge to add in my own sarcastic remark to the mix about how it took them long enough. 

But the moment I opened my mouth to do so, my efforts were cut short by a high pitched squeal and the call of my name from down the hall.

"Y/n!!!"

I knew who that gleeful voice belonged to the second I heard it, and my lips had already turned up into a smile before I whipped my head to face the source of that squeal, and my eyes were met with a very special little girl that I could never be not happy to see.

"Tillieee!!"

My voice heightened by like several thousand octave upon seeing her, and I immediately bent my knees to crouch down towards the floor with my arms open wide for her to jump into.

Eugene's once 4, now 5 year old little sister Matilda was bounding down the hallway as fast as her tiny legs could carry her, with pink sparkly rainboots on her feet clicking against the boards with every step, accompanied by stripy leggings and a unicorn shirt that only made her even more cute.

And her head of messy caramel colored ringlets bounced as she ran, which funnily enough wasn't very fast, and the shoes probably didn't help since they were like 2 sizes too big for her feet, but you gotta cut her some slack, she's like 3 and a half feet tall.

Matilda was the epitome of little girl, and just seeing her again was bringing a happiness to my heart that I'd so dearly missed since the last time she had graced me with her presence.

I didn't have to wait much longer with my open arms waiting for her, before she reached where I was, and threw herself into my embrace and wrapped her own smaller arms around my neck as I hoisted her up off the floor with a grunt, and I supported under her legs so she didn't fall.

Of course I couldn't resist swinging her around a couple of times, because whenever I did, I got the cutest little giggles from her that I just can never pass up hearing. 

"Oh my gosh you've grown so much!"

She was like the little sister that I had always wanted growing up, and I felt very honored knowing that she found joy in being around me. Getting little kids to actually be nice to you is usually like an Olympic sport, but with Matilda she was just kind to everyone.

Eugene's moms, Sue and Janet, were walking down the hall not too far away, and they both gave me sweet smiles once they had realized it was me that their daughter had run off to greet in such a hurry, and I reciprocated their expression as they continued to walk further towards us, hand in hand.

Matilda lifted her head from my shoulder where she had rested it while she hugged me as tight as she could, and she looked back at the two with a toothy grin on her face.

"Mama did you see?? Y/n's here!"

Oh my god my heart cannot take this anymore I may just explode from cuteness.

As the two mothers finally came to a stop in front of us, Janet, who personally I think Matilda resembled most, let out a soft laugh at her daughters antics and nodded.

"Yes baby I saw."

She turned to look at me with that same sweet smile.

"Y/n it's very nice to see you again, Tillie talked about you for weeks after the last time we saw you."

Awwwww...

That made me feel so amazing.

Especially since the last time that I had seen them was when I first met the three, last year back at the hospital after Eugene had gotten attacked by the Hyde. Matilda had been younger back then, the kind of young that needed a lot of attention. And with both Sue and Janet being so worried about Eugene, they were so tired and couldn't keep Matilda distracted when they visited.

But one of the first days I had gone to see Eugene, I was introduced to the rest of his family, and I offered to keep Matilda occupied and happy so they could focus on Eugene, and also so they could get some sleep.

And it was honestly so much fun to spend time with her. I hadn't had much experience watching over kids before that, so I was a little nervous I would accidentally mess up or hurt her, but she was pretty mellow all things considered.

We mostly just played make pretend games and I even let her do my make up one time, which ended with me looking fabulous, obviously. I told her awesome stories that I knew from when I was little, and sometimes that would even be enough to make her fall asleep in one of the hospital chairs.

I carried her around a lot, but that wasn't really an issue with how small she was, it was like holding a school bag, which I had become very accustom to by that point. Then of course there was all the horse back rides she made me give her, but again I didn't mind for one second.

I was just glad that I could take her sweet little mind off of the fact that her brother was laying in that bed, covered in cuts and bruises and not being able to play with her himself.

But now it had been almost a year since I had seen any of them, so clearly I made quite the impression on her if she still talks about and remembers me after all this time, which only added to how honored I felt to be someone she get's happy to see.

Sue and Janet left their daughter with me, knowing that she was in safe hands so that they could go into the room I stood outside of to go and greet their other child, who was currently starting to swing his bags over his shoulders, almost being pulled down to the floor one or twice as he did so.

And my eyes wandered back over to Pugsley, who had begun to drag the chest across the floor of the room towards the door, and I stepped to the side slightly as he passed by me with a huff.

The thing did look kind of heavy to be carrying by himself, but I also knew that he wouldn't even consider asking me for my help while I had a small child in my arms, so he stayed silent and smiling while he continued to heave the piece of furniture down the hall.

But seeing him struggle to do all the work alone is probably my cue to get going anyway.

I bent my knees once again, carefully lowering Matilda back down until her feet were planted on the floor beneath her, and I loosened my arms from around her and placed my hands on either sides of her arms with a smile.

"Hey, why don't you go and help your brother carry his things? I'm sure he could use someone strong like you."

Her baby teeth were on full display as her smile grew, and I noticed there were a couple of gaps where I assumed she had already started to lose them, and she nodded enthusiastically.

"Okay!"

She was quick to turn away from me and rush off into Eugene's dorm, joining the rest of her family and grabbing one of the smaller bags, which still she huffed and puffed while holding on to, and I sent them all one final smile before I pushed myself up from where I crouched, and started towards my own room, where my boyfriend was probably laying on the floor out of breath by now.

Oh who am I kidding, he's not that weak.

Orrr...maybe he is.

When I reached the outside of our room, I stood next to the pile of belongings that the chest now sat with, and stared down at the body that lay flat on the squeaky boards after all, breathing with a subtle exhaustion as he kept his gaze up at the ceiling above him, only for his eyes to drop down over to me when I cleared my throat quietly. 

There was a silence that lingered for a moment while I tried desperately not to laugh at Pugsley's current state, and he glanced away from my eyes, perhaps from embarrassment or maybe he's just too tired to care that I was on the brink of cackling at him.

I take a breath, calming myself.

"...You good?"

It was very much a rhetorical question that I asked purely for shits and giggles, because I could clearly see that he was far from good. Subpar at the very least, but he lifted one of his hands, giving me a thumbs up in spite of that.

"Yeah, totally fine."

My dumb question was met with a sarcastic tone, which brought back that feeling of amusement in my chest as I walked over to stand next to where he lay, towering over him with a grin.

"So let me get this straight, you can carry me just fine without getting tired, but give you a chest to drag across a hallway and suddenly you're a dead man?"

His eyes shot back towards me at that, and he pointed up at me with a look of offence.

"Those are two completely different things, okay? That chest wishes it was as easy to lift as you are."

I hold up my hands in surrender, finally letting myself laugh softly at his unwavering statement, that left no room for argument, so I just nod.

"Alright, alright, you make a flattering point there. Come on, we should get going."

I extend my left hand down to him, awaiting for his hand to grab mine so I could help him off the floor, but it turns out he had other plans.

I really should have been able to see what idea he had in his head at my gesture when his expression shifted to a cheeky grin, but for some dumb reason I trusted this dude, and so I didn't realize what he was doing until he had already yanked my arm hard enough that I fell forwards, only catching myself on my hands with a split second to spare.

My palms were planted on the ground on either side of Pugsley's head, and he just stared up at me with a smug smile, feeling proud that he had caught me off guard with his little attack.

There was no point in trying to go off at him for making me land above him like this , so I just shake my head softly, returning his gaze.

"I hate you.."

His eyes narrowed slightly, obviously not convinced that my words held any truth behind them, and they didn't, but he rolled his eyes anyway, lifting one of his hands to tuck a strand of stray hair away from my face.

"You sure about that? Cause it kinda looks like you're falling for me."

The only thing I hate is how clever that was. I mean, here I thought I was supposed to be the funny one, and then he goes and comes up with something like that.

I huff, pushing myself off of him and sitting down cross legged next to him as he lifted his upper body off the floor, keeping his eyes softly on me before he glanced down to my right arm that rested in my lap, and I saw his expression drop a little.

"I didn't hurt you did I?"

Ehhh, I mean falling on my wrist didn't feel amazing, but it also wasn't worth saying anything, not when I knew he already felt bad about my injury. 

I look down to the bandage wrapped around my arm with a small smile, and I shrug.

"Nah, it actually feels a lot better since yesterday, so don't worry about it."

I was trying to be reassuring about the whole thing, but when my eyes lifted back up to Pugsley, he still had his gaze locked down at my arm, staring intently with a look of guilt at the tiny portion of my scar that poked out from the bottom edge of the bandage, and I pulled my arm back out of his view.

"Hey, it's not a big deal. I mean, once my hand heals, then we'll be matching."

My other hand came up to poke his forehead, to which he finally smiled at, and he looked back up at me gratefully. I didn't want him to feel bad about what happened, because if it weren't for him, I would be dead. I would take a cool looking scar over death any day, and I just wished he understood that.

He nodded, tapping my leg gently before he grabbed my left hand, and he pulled me along with him as he stood up from the floor with a sigh.

"Yeah...I guess we will."

Even if I couldn't ever get him to truly stop feeling guilty over my arm, at least I could try to replace his negative thoughts towards it with positive ones. Because personally I think it'll be awesome to have matching scars with him, it's like having a piece of him that I carry with me wherever I go.

He pressed a quick kiss to my forehead, before stepping away and making a move towards the door, and I knew I should too. His family was waiting down in the courtyard for him, and I shouldn't keep him for any longer than necessary.

"You ready to go, amor?"

Pugsley's voice echoed from where he stood in the doorway, patiently watching me as I basked in the warmth that the sun brought to this room for what may be the final time, and I sigh.

"Not really.."

I didn't think I was going to get emotional saying goodbye to a dorm room, but just standing here looking at everything bare and boring without the life that Pugsley and I had put in here, was making that uncomfortable lump form in my throat, but I didn't feel like I was going to cry.

The feeling in my chest wasn't really sadness, but more like a longing for the memories that had been made within these four walls, a desire to go back and relive them over and over again so I could feel the happiness that came with them one more time. 

I mean yeah, remembering them made me happy, but knowing that it was over, knowing that I can't go back just for a second, to feel the same things I did in those moments... I guess it's more of a bitter suite goodbye in the end, because I know that when I come back next year, this won't be mine anymore.

"I'm just...I'm going to miss this."

"Miss what exactly?"

The uncertainty in Pugsley's words made my head turn over my shoulder to glance at the confused look that he had on his face, and I shrug as I gesture my head back towards the room, blinking a couple of times as my eyes landed upon my desk.

"This, you know. Living with you.."

I heard a very quiet 'ah' from the boy behind me, and there was a silence that lasted a few seconds before he spoke again, a little louder this time.

"Right...I forgot about that. I guess the odds of this happening again are pretty slim."

There was an undertone of disappointment in his voice, most likely the same kind that I was feeling as I thought about that very same thing. He's right, the chances of me and him being roommates next year were practically nothing, this time was just an accident that worked out for the better.

But now that the time had finally come to actually say goodbye to this space, where he and I had spent countless minutes talking, laughing, making memories that I will never forget, I must admit that closing that door will hurt a little extra.

I hope the new people don't hate the lock too much, but that honey will never come out.

"Well..."

The gentle, calmness in Pugsley's voiced snapped my brain out of the rather depressing rabbit hole it was threatening to fall down, and I turned my entire body to face him this time, being met with the view of him leaning against the door frame, and his features were yet again lit up by the soft sunlight that made his smile glow brighter than ever before.

He had one of his hands held out for me, and he wiggled his fingers slightly as a way to gesture that he wanted me to take it, so I make my feet move from where I stood, slowly shuffling my way over to him as he spoke.

"If it makes you feel any better, I'll visit you so much in your next dorm that it won't feel any different."

By the time his sweet offer had come to a finish, I had already placed my hand in his, and he pulled my form into a soft hug and rested his chin atop of my head as I nodded and returned his embrace.

"Good, cause I would be sad if you didn't."

I felt his shoulders move slightly in a small laugh, and his fingers came up to run through my hair in a comforting manner.

"Well we wouldn't want that.."

We both knew that we would have to leave at some point, but neither of us made any sort of move to do so. Pugsley just let me stay like this in his hold, because he knew how safe it made me feel, and I really needed it right now, and I think he did too.

I might have been the only one to truly voice it, but I think he's going to miss this room just as much as I am.

If anything he's definitely going to miss being able to annoy me into waking up in the mornings, and not that I'd tell him or anything, but I will too.

I sigh.

"I guess it just sort of makes you wonder.."

"About what?"

I turn my head back up to face him at his question, only to see he was already staring down at me, and I shrug.

"I dunno, just...what if it hadn't happened?"

His hand continued to run through my hair gently, and he tilted his head slightly at my very vague wonder, but he let me talk without being interrupted.

"I mean, what if you and I had never met that day? Do you think we still would have eventually found each other?"

He takes a deep breath, looking up and back into the room momentarily as he thought about it, and he nodded slowly.

"Yeah, I like to think so."

His gaze turned back down to me, and he smiled before kissing the tip of my nose.

"But I guess we'll never know."

And I will be forever grateful that's the case, because I'm not sure what kind of person I would be without Pugsley in my life.

From where my head was resting against his chest, I could feel the steady repetition of his heart thumping, a little quicker than I had expected, but it just made it all the more calming to listen to. Sometimes I'm just mesmerized with the idea that this one tiny thing that lay hidden away within his body, was the center of him, his ability to live, his love for those around him, for me..

And in this moment, I like to think that maybe it was beating just that tiny bit faster because of the girl he held in his arms.

Can't I just stay here forever?

The answer is no, no I cannot. I have to let go of my sweet boy at some point, even if just for a little while. Because as nice as it would be if they could, these bags are not going to carry themselves downstairs.

I reluctantly started to pull myself away from Pugsley, and he took my tiny movement as his cue to finally loosen his grip on me to let me go, because we had already been stalling for long enough.

But I think I'll be okay with locking this door as long as I know that he's on this side of it with me.

Pugsley pushed himself off of the doorframe, still keeping a smile on his face as he moved over to the pile of things that sat in wait behind me, and he picked up a couple of my bags first before he even looked in the direction of his own, stacking them on his shoulder without being asked to.

And before I did the same, I reached for the front pocket of my main backpack still on the floor, plucking my keys from it and swinging the metal carabiner around my finger a few times as I took one last look into the dorm.

I know it sounds cheesy to feel like I miss something that isn't even going anywhere, but I can't help it.

With a final deep breath to center myself, I take a small step forward and reach for the handle, pulling the door closed as the hinges squeaked, and I lifted my plethora of decorative chains including the adorable whale shark that accompanied my keys up to the lock, shimmying the ridges of the dorm key inside like I had to until I was able to turn them.

And as I heard that tiny click indicating it was locked, I felt an odd sense of relief. 

Not gone, just left behind.

"Come on cariño, we gotta get going."

I turned at the sound of the endearing nickname, and it brought a smile to my lips as I saw Pugsley leaning against the railing of the hallway, covered in various bags but not once complaining about how uncomfortable I'm sure it was.

There were only a couple of remaining things left from the pile aside from the chest, and I reached down to grab them in my own hands.

"Yeah..okay."

With my bags now swung over my arm, I reach down towards the chest with the hand that didn't currently ache, and I take one side as Pugsley does the same with the other, both of us lifting it off the ground and sharing the work which made it feel not as heavy as we started our walk towards the first staircase that led down to our destination in the front courtyard where his parents awaited.

And I didn't look behind me. 

I know I'll be back again soon enough.

But until then, I get to focus on what's in front of me. The most amazing boy to ever walk this earth, my best friend, and the absolute love of my life. 

Who would have thought that I'd ever be lucky enough to find all three in one person.

««« ♪ ♪ »»»

"I'm serious- this time- I really have to- go-"

Pugsley was barely able to get the words out through the giant grin he had on his face, as I continued my attack upon every inch of his face that I could see, leaving affectionate pecks across his skin, which was turning a darker shade of pink with every kiss that I gave him.

I mean can you really blame me though? He's standing right here in front of me looking all cute, and this is the last time I'm going to see him for a while, so I wanna get the most out of this before he really does have to leave.

It did look a little bit like he was struggling to breathe with my onslaught, but honestly if he is going to die from this, then I'd say it's a pretty honorable way to go out.

He has said multiple times in the last five minutes that he has to go, but with each one, he makes no move to back his words, and just stayed within my grasp very happily until the next time he claimed he needed to leave.

It was adorable.

The only thing stopping me from doing any more than the tiny actions I was right now, was the fact that Morticia and Mr. Addams were standing less than 10 feet away, waiting by their car for Pugsley to join them. 

And even though they had made no comments or spoken a word about the display that was happening right now, I'd bet that they have definitely been looking a little bit, which is also the reason I decided that now was probably a good time to come to a stop.

As much as I love my boyfriend, I don't love the idea of his parents staring at us while I show him affection.

I pulled away from him and dropped back down from my tip toes so I wouldn't fall over.

"Okay, okay. I'm just sad that you have to leave."

He nods.

"I know you are, but I mean are you sure that you don't want us to give you a ride home? It's really no trouble at all, and then I don't have to say goodbye just yet."

Tempting as that offer was, there was just something stopping me from agreeing. I know going with them would probably have more pros than taking the bus did, but I dunno, I kind of like the ride home in that thing.

I'm not sure what it was about it, but there's almost a kind of calmness in staring out a dusty window by myself without anyone else around me, it gives me the chance to think about stuff. And right now I would say that I probably need that time to process everything that has happened.

Plus, even though he says it's no trouble, I'd still feel kind of bad treating him and his family as if they were a taxi, so I think this time I'll just stick with the bus.

I shake my head.

"Nah I'm sure, and don't take this as me saying I don't love you, because I do, but I need some me time."

And the trip home via the bus was almost 2 hours, so me time I would definitely be getting.

Pugsley didn't at all seem offended by my need for peace and quiet by myself, and he nodded with understanding as his hand reached for mine, and he interlocked our fingers gently.

"Okay, if that's what you need then that's fine with me. But if you change your mind at any point, I'll come and get you, I promise."

I'm not sure if I could even consider asking him to do that, but knowing he was willing to do so without any questions asked felt pretty nice. 

"I'll make sure to keep that in mind."

He smiled.

"Good. And I mean, we'll see each other next week anyway so it's not like I'll be away for very long, the time will pass really quickly."

My face dropped at that.

Okay. There's something I've forgotten about, and I have roughly less than five seconds to figure out what it is before Pugsley sees that I am completely lost as to what he's referring to.

Now is seriously the absolute worst time to be forgetful, and my brain has the audacity to do exactly that.

So what the heck is next week...

I was trying desperately to go back through all the things he and I have talked about as of late to find the thing I had forgotten, but it seemed as though I wasn't quite quick enough in my silent panic, and I'm pretty sure the confusion on my face was more obvious than I had hoped, because I heard a soft huff from the boy standing over me.

"Oh mon chéri, you wound me, truly. Don't tell me that you already forgot about our date?"

I...didn't mean to, but I might have. And now I felt unbelievably embarrassed because of the fact, but he didn't need to know that.

Pugsley had a tiny smirk on his face as he watched me sink back into myself slightly, wanting to disappear from this moment just a little bit.

"Y/n."

I could tell he was on the edge of laughing at my guilty face, but he knew better than that so he just waited for me to speak, and I did so with a slight shift to my octave caused by my nervousness.

"I didn't forget, I was just...testing you."

There was no way in hell that he was convinced by my lame attempt to save myself, but he nodded slowly and lifted my hand up in his to press a kiss to my knuckles.

"Alright then, well if you can remember, dress up nice next Friday because you and I are going out."

Oh so this is gonna be like a proper date. Now I'm kind of curious what he's got planned, but I can be patient for a week and keep it a surprise for myself, as long as I get to spend time with him then it'll be fun.

"We hate to break this up but Pugsley my darling we really must be on our way!"

Morticia's voice broke through the eye contact that I and her son were determined to maintain, and Pugsley's head turned over his shoulder for a second and nodded at his mother before exhaling and looking back to me.

"Okay, well until then, promise me that you'll call? Or text, write, or you know even carrier pigeon if you want, anything. I just want to be able to still talk to you over the break when you're not around."

Cute...

"Don't worry, I'll call you when I get home."

His hand finally started to let go of mine, and he leaned down towards me and his smile didn't falter even once as he returned my affection from earlier, in the form of a very gentle and quiet kiss to my mouth, making it last longer than the one I had given him like it was his way of saying goodbye for now.

And when he pulled away from me after several seconds, he let his face linger in front of mine for a moment.

"Then I will talk to you later my love.."

I may just pass out right here and now.

He moved away, holding onto my hand loosely for as long as he could before his touch eventually fell away from my own, and I stood still as he walked over to the open door of the car where his parents still stood. Morticia ushered him inside the vehicle once close enough, and he disappeared from my view behind the tinted windows.

I got a wave and a small smile from Morticia which I quickly returned before she herself climbed into the car after her son carefully, only now leaving Mr. Addams, who also sent me a short goodbye gesture as he followed his wife, closing the door behind him as the car's engine started with a gentle hum.

My feet moved on their own, taking a few steps until the back window came into view, which was as tinted as the others, meaning the smile on Pugsley's face as he stared out of it at me could be seen clearly, and it brought a grin upon my own lips.

His eyes focused onto the glass, and he huffed a breath of hot air onto it, drawing a small heart within the steam and pointed at me through the mostly clear layer that lay between us, and all I could do was stare and smile.

The look in his eyes as they kept themselves locked onto mine was almost hypnotizing to watch, and seeing the sparkle in them whenever he was looking at me made me feel like the prettiest girl in the world.

And watching that sparkle start to move further and further away from me as the car rolled away down the windy path that led out of school, with him still not looking away from me even once until they turned a corner sharp enough to have the trees block me from his view,

I realized that my question from earlier was pointless.

If that mix up hadn't happened that day, he and I still would have met. I know it.

Even as I have to watch him drive away, leaving me standing here feeling more love for him than I thought possible for someone to feel towards another, I know just how much of an impact on my life that boy has had.

Some good, some...well, not. Everything that's happened up until this point was worth it, if it meant my life always ended up here. And I don't doubt that in every other reality that I live in, that I will always meet him.

I would do this all 100 times over again, with every bit of pain that came with it, because none of the physical and emotional turmoil that I have been through, compared to the amount of love in my heart towards him, because without all of that pain, I wouldn't be here right now.

I feel like I was destined to meet him that day, and I wouldn't change anything that's happened since then for the world. 

Whether it be not sleeping because I'm worried he's gotten himself killed digging up a zombie, giving him that awkward first hug when I thought he wouldn't come back, dragging him back to our dorm when he turns to stone, teaching him my favorite road game when he gets bored on the bus,

Getting shot in the leg and waking up to him being the only other person in the room while I heal, being carried on his back through a forest when my legs get tired from walking so far, being the only person who gets to see his scars and staying up late with him when he can't sleep and talking about the things that scare us,

Hiding from the police when we get caught eavesdropping over things we're not supposed to hear, having him pay for my dress in secret and seeing the smile on his face when he finally got to see me where it.

Even having to watch him almost die and have him be the one to save me from my own demise, all of it was worth it to be where I am right now in this moment.

And with every life that I have the privilege of living, I will find and love him in every single one.

I promise.

"What's got you all smiley like that?"

I jumped at the sudden voice that broke the silence built up inside of my head, and I turned my head to see a head of curly hair and glasses standing where I had left my pile of bags on the ground, hands in his pockets as he looked at me with a smile.

It took a couple of breaths to get my heart rate back down after that tiny scare, and I walked over to Eugene, stopping a couple of feet from where he stood.

"Hey, I thought you left already."

He let out a huff.

"Uh, yeah, everyone is waiting in the car for me, but I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye properly."

Oh, right. I hadn't even noticed if I'm being honest, but I was glad he came back, even though he didn't have to. I just saw him so wrapped up with his family that I thought that the tiny wave I sent him would be the parting we had this year, but I guess he had other plans.

"Aren't they gonna get annoyed with you for taking so long?"

He shrugs with a grin.

"Probably. But I wanted to talk with you a little longer, how bout I walk you to the bus stop?"

I mean...I guess it technically wouldn't be imposing upon my me time, and I could certainly use the help with carrying my stuff, but I wasn't sure if keeping him away from his family that long was a good idea. Although I have to admit I did kind of want to talk to him too.

I sigh and hold up my hands in mock surrender.

"You know what, sure. Not my fault if you get in trouble later."

He nodded, reaching down for one of my bags and hoisting it onto his shoulder.

"Good, let's go then. Don't want you to miss your ride home."

I grabbed the rest of my stuff, which in all transparency wasn't actually that heavy at the end of the day, but I still made an effort to grunt when the weight was put down onto my body, and Eugene snorted at my dramatics slightly.

"You are ridiculous, come on."

We started on our gentle walk out of the courtyard, being surrounded by mostly silence after most of the other students had already made their way back home, and our footsteps echoed against the cobblestone.

Though it was soon replaced by the sound of dirt crunching beneath our feet, as we ventured down the path that led to the main gate, and after almost 5 minutes of saying nothing, Eugene cleared his throat.

"So uh, how's the boyfriend?"

Oh this little weasel-

I swung one of my bags at him, not hard enough to cause damage, but with an amount of force that I'd hope got my annoyance across.

"Bro THAT'S what you wanted to talk about??"

He laughed at my attack, bringing up his arms in a very weak attempt to protect himself, and he spoke through his giggles.

"I'm just asking, I like to think I had something to do with it, I mean I did kind of point out how much you flirted with each other before any of this relationship stuff happened you know."

I stopped swinging at him and put my bag back over my shoulder with a sigh.

I guess he did sort of have a point. But if he's referring to when he told Pugsley and I to 'get a room' then he was absolutely no help at all. He has been with me through most of my feelings though, and for that I suppose he had a tiny bit to do with it.

"Yeah yeah, whatever you say cupid."

He shrugs, pointing his gaze back towards the path in front of him.

"Insult me all you want, but I'm just saying. You look happy.."

I take a moment to think about his now softly spoken words, tilting my head up to the sky as I let myself bask in the sunlight that shone through the branches of the trees above us, and that warm feeling flowed into my skin as I smiled.

Happy does not even begin to describe the feeling in my heart right now, but I suppose that's the simplest way of putting it.

I squint my eyes open, not looking at the sun directly, but letting myself see the gentle glow it brought to the partly cloudy sky that covered the area of trees we walked through, and I take a deep breath and enjoy the fresh air that filled my lungs.

"Yeah, I am."