Chapter 26:

*LUNA'S POV:

Going through security and checking in for the last time was a bittersweet feeling. Perhaps I'll come back next summer, but it all depends on where college opportunities take me. Strolling down the usual hallway, I made my way to the all too familiar office door of Dr. Collins, knocking gently on the wooden surface before entering. It was obvious that she had stepped out for a moment. I sat down in one of the chairs to organize my notes for today, smiling at all I had accomplished. This was going to be one bomb-ass portfolio.

"Ah, good morning, Miss Goodman." Dr. Collins chirped, carrying a stack of folders. She placed them on her desk and then sat across from me, smiling. "Since today is your last day, we aren't going to get you into anything major. Take it easy today, like saying goodbye to the ones you've befriended or something of that matter. As you can see, I'm gonna be up to my elbows in paperwork, so go ahead and start whenever you're ready."

I flashed a smile and gave a quick nod to let her know I understood. After finishing up my notes, I headed towards the play area to get one last day in with the kiddos. Surprisingly not, the only occupant was Cassie. Rainbow blocks were the center of attention instead of art at the moment. Stacking one by one very carefully, she was successfully constructing various towering buildings. I grabbed one of the block bins and sat across from her to build my own sculpture. The girl glanced at me a few times which encouraged me to initiate a small conversation; Cassie easily answered the simple questions and comments I gave her. The blocks she possessed slowly made their way into my building space, so we joined forces to create an entire colorful utopia. It didn't last long, however, since she decided to have her barbies dive-bomb the city and destroy it.

As the two of us picked up the scattered toys. I made the comment to Cassie that today was my last day to play here for a while. She seemed to comprehend the idea, asking a few 'whys' and nodding along with what I was saying.

When it was around noon, I excused myself from the playroom and walked back to the office to fetch my lunch. Dr. Collins was still scribbling and signing off on various forms as I returned. She was eating as well while we talked over a few things. I was encouraged to reflect on my experience here, asking if I would have changed anything or if I have any suggestions to better the program for future students. To be honest, the whole time just felt surreal, like I was already a qualified worker interacting among the occupants. I was respected and trusted because of the relationships made, which made it seem hard to let go.

She gave a heartwarming chuckle after my whole spiel, nodding in acceptance. Looking at the time on her watch, she made the comment that I better start tying up loose ends if I hadn't already. Throwing away my trash, I scanned the facility for familiar faces. The cafeteria was the first stop where I found a few progressing patients, telling them goodbye and giving a reassuring good luck talk. Changing route to the recreational room, I ran my fingers along the cream colored walls as I walked down the hall, reminiscing how this was the last time for a while. Fortunately, both boys resided in the room alone. Wesley has his face buried in a book while Damon was throwing a ball in the air.

Damon grinned once he saw me enter the room, holding the ball steady in his hands. "Hey, Audussy, how's it going?"

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. "Wow, my last day here and you can't even bother to address me correctly? What a friend."

"Hey, Audy, I was hoping you'd come see us." Wesley stated, setting his book down.

"Of course I'd come see you guys." I chirped. "You're friends now."

"I didn't agree to this."

"Damon,"

"Yes?"

"Shut the hell up."

"Alright, princess, jeez." he snorted, holding his hands up in defeat. "How's the boyfriend?"

"He's doing well." I smiled, thinking of Eddie's release the other day, "I'll let him know you asked."

Wesley exclaimed, "Good for him! He's a great guy, got a good heart."

I agreed, taking a seat next to Damon on the couch. "Okay, boys, here's the deal. Since we're friends now, we'll need to hang out together, alright? Which means you two have to work towards your goals."

"What's in it for us?" Damon asked.

"I'll buy you ice cream."

"I'm in," Wes said.

"How about a kiss?" Damon suggested, puckering his lips.

"Yeah, we'll see about that." I laughed. "Remember my break-up offer still remains."

Damon, Wesley, and I talked for about ten more minutes before I had to continue on with my round of goodbyes. Wesley shyly asked for a hug, which I couldn't say no to. The lanky boy tightly wrapped his arms around me and pulled away with a big smile stretched across his face.

"Don't worry, Audy, I'm gonna get out of here real soon." he said confidently but quietly.

I turned my head towards Damon, who wasn't paying attention, and then back to Wesley, whispering, "It's not you I'm worried about."

The boy silently agreed and said a final goodbye before excusing himself to the bathroom. Now stood just Damon and me. He stared at the rubber ball clutched in his hands, squeezing it once in a while. I could tell he was tense.

"Though I can't offer a kiss, can I offer a hug?" I asked.

"Nah,"

"Dammit Damon, I want a hug and you're gonna give me one!" I chuckled, holding my arms out.

He hesitantly stood up and I engulfed him into a tight embrace. Freezing at first, he awkwardly stood under my touch, but eventually melted into the gesture and squeezed me like a boa constrictor. I could barely breathe, but I knew it was something he desperately needed from someone and I was the only one genuinely willing to offer it. I didn't let go until he let go, and even after that, seeing as no one was around to witness (including the cameras), I hopped on my tip toes and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. I giggled at his reaction, which was wide eyes and an agape mouth.

I looked at him one last time, softly saying, "If you can't do it for your parents, Damon, do it for your friends."

Damon didn't utter a word but lightly nodded, fiddling with the ball in his hands. I turned and left the room, aching to see his face outside of this place one day. Walking away was one of the hardest things to do. I've grown so close to Damon and Wesley and leaving them here was heartbreaking. Phew, breathe, Luna, breathe.

Some of the workers and other patients expressed their sorrow to see me depart, but thanked me for my time here. It felt really good to know I had some kind of positive impact, even if it was just a small one. After saying my final goodbye to Hazel, I made my way back to the children's area to find Cassie. Not being able to find her at first causes a slight panic, but I eventually saw the young girl hiding behind the leg of her mother.

"There she is, Cassie. Go give it to her." her mother said, pointing at me.

I crouched down and gave Cassie a smile. "You got something for me?"

She hid her face behind her mom's leg, giggling a bit. I could see a piece of paper in her small hands. Her mom nudged her away from her leg and whispered something in her ear, causing Cassie to nod and then slowly walk over and place the piece of paper in front of me. She ran back to her mom as I laughed, picking up the paper and flipping it over to see whatever was on the front. My jaw nearly hit the floor over the drawing. Cassie had drawn a picture of me. Me! Detail by detail. It was stunning! Breathtaking! Award winning!

"Oh my goodness," I gasped, looking up at the excited child. "You drew this? Of me?"

"Mhm," she nodded, smiling.

"Can I have a thank you hug for it?" I asked, outstretching my arms. She wobbled over and lightly placed her tiny arms around my neck. Showing physical affection was becoming easier for her and I couldn't be prouder. Waving one last time to the little girl and her mother, I headed back towards Dr. Collins' office. She was again MIA, so I simply gathered my things and checked my phone for a few messages.

Eddie: I'm outsideeeeeeeeeee

Eddie: all the way outside the gates tho so you have to walk sorru

Eddie: sorry*

-I'll be out in a minute :)

Eddie: im waiting

-CALM YOUR ASS DOWN MUNSON BEFORE I KICK IT

Eddie: soMEONES CRANKY

-fight me

Eddie: you'd lose BIG time honey

"Luna? You all packed and ready?" a voice from behind said, startling me.

I put my phone down and nodded at Marleen's question. "Yeah, I guess I am. A certain someone is outside waiting for me."

"How sweet. Keep an eye on that boy, alright?"

"Will do. It's kind of my job as a girlfriend anyway." I laughed.

"Alright," she chuckled, "all the papers are filed and I filled out that report for you. Everything is settled. You're free to go, Miss Goodman."

"I'll miss you." I said, opening my arms for a hug.

"I'll miss you, too, sweetie." she sighed, returning the hug. "I'll walk you out."

The two of us walked to the front desk so I could return some of the items I was given when I first arrived. I nearly squealed when told I was special and could keep the badass lab coat. Goodbyes were exchanged between Carly and I, and with Dr. Collins one last time before I exited through the doors and walked through the small parking lot. The guards let me through the gates and as I looked around, I spotted the familiar jeep. Throwing my stuff in the back, I hopped in the passenger seat.

"Hey babe," Eddie greeted, leaning over to kiss me. "What have you got there?"

"Oh, Cassie drew a picture for me as a goodbye present." I answered, showing him the piece of art.

"Holy shit, that's beautiful." he said, admiring the details. "So I take it your last day went well?"

"Yeah, it was good." I replied, "I'm gonna miss Damon and Wesley, though."

"I miss those assholes, too." Eddie chuckled.

"I kissed Damon on the cheek, if that's okay."

"Nah, it's cool. No big deal." he said, shrugging his shoulders. "He's a nice guy."

"He's such a sweetie and it breaks my heart knowing he's such a mess. I gave him a hug too, and for a second, I thought he wasn't gonna let go."

"I hope this is okay to say," Eddie started, "but remember when I had told everyone I was getting released and you and him were messing around again? Well after you left, he actually apologized to me."

"For what?

"He didn't know if he was pushing boundaries with me by messing with you so much. I told him that if he felt he was coming off too strong to talk to you about it, but I assumed you were okay with it."

"Aw, he really said that? I loved the sarcasm! It was like fighting with a male version of Luna."

"That's what I thought," Eddie agreed. "I said it wasn't a big deal if he had a crush on you, but he shook that off saying he didn't. Apparently, you remind him of his old girlfriend and it takes him back to a time when he was happier."

"Ugh," I groaned, throwing my head back against the headrest, "I have to go back and save him."

"I'm afraid you don't have the authority to do that, Miss Goodman." Eddie said, giving me a slight frown as he pulled out onto the road.

Noticing how there wasn't as much wind as usual as we drove down the road, I jokingly gasped, "I can't believe you. . .still have the doors on. . .in this weather?"

"I figured you'd be all dolled up so I put the doors back on. We wouldn't want the wind to mess up that pretty hair,"

"What? This hair?" I laughed, pulling it out of its bun and letting the messy strands fall.

"Or that flowy dress to fly up. . ."

"Oh you'd like that, wouldn't you?" I teased, guiding his hand to my lap and dragging his palm up my left thigh, exposing my bare skin.

"Don't make me have to pull over."

"Mmkay," I hummed, shooing his hand away and covering my thighs again. "Where are we going anyway?"

"I dunno."

"You don't know?"

"I really don't know."

"You're just driving?"

"Basically,"

"Oh my God," I snorted, rolling my eyes.

"Let's go see a movie." he suggested.

"Which movie?"

"Look 'em up."

"Okay," I answered, typing in the website for the nearest movie theater. "Ooh, I found one!"

"What is it?" he asked.

"I'm not telling until we get there."

"Lunaaaaaaaaaaa," Eddie whined.

"Nope. Shit, you better hurry! It starts in five minutes!" I squealed.

"Five minutes? Don't worry, I got this." he said, gripping the wheel and speeding down the road.

"Eddie Slow down!" I laughed, smacking his arm.

"Put the windows down? Okay!"

"What? No!" I shrieked, as he rolled the windows down, air blowing throughout the jeep. I screamed, laughing uncontrollably until I heard a familiar threatening noise in the distance. I looked in the rearview mirror and my thoughts came to a conclusion.

Police sirens.

"Shit! Shit, shit, shit!" Eddie cursed, hitting his palm against the steering wheel as his speed decreased. The car sped towards us, coming closer to the jeep. Eddie pulled over to the side of the road and waited for the cop to follow, but it zoomed past us and raced towards another crime incident. Pulling back onto the road, Eddie exclaimed, "Oh thank GOD,"

"You are so lucky! You wouldn't have known what to do!" I screeched, holding my beating chest.

"My charm would've saved me." he stated, looking at me. "Women love me."

"And if it was a guy cop?"

"I think we both know the answer to that one, too." he smirked, sliding his hand up my thigh again.

"Eddie!" I scolded, smacking his hand away. "I'm not some piece of meat to get you out of speeding tickets!"

"Then why the hell am I dating you?" he shouted, jokingly furrowing his eyebrows. "Besides, you're the piece of meat who almost got me the ticket!"

"You were the one speeding."

"You told me to hurry."

"I simply told you that the movie we're seeing starts in five minutes."

"You implied it."

"Well, I'm sorry I want to see Goosebumps."

"Goosebumps? I had a police scare for fucking Goosebumps?!" he yelled, rubbing his forehead.

"I read the books in elementary! I wanted to see the movie!"

"You're truly something, Audy." he shook his head, smiling.

"Yeah, and you have to deal with it, asshole." I cooed, blowing him a kiss.

We continued down the road, laughing and joking with each other. I finally felt the feeling of true happiness again. I wasn't worrying about Eddie having a sudden outburst or his sanity, he was himself again and I couldn't have asked for more.

Nothing could go wrong now, right?...................................................A/N: Yes, I am alive, and I am sORRY.

I was stuck because I didn't know what to write! This is just a filler because I needed to give you guys something. Luckily, I already have the idea for the next chapter! WE ARE ABOUT TO FLOOR IT INTO THE MAIN PLOT, SO HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS LADIES AND GENTLEMEN BECAUSE IT MIGHT GET A LITTLE BUMPY.

I'm so lame. I'm so sorry for me.

I'm also kinda excited because I've been working on some other little writings that I'm waiting to share. Hehe.

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xoxo