Page 54 of Life Lessons

Musgrove salutes me cockily, signalling that I’m on my own now as she skips away. I spot the twins lingering at the gates, watching me intently. They’ve semi-forgiven me for disappearing but it’ll take some time to patch up our friendships. I sincerely hope we do though, considering they’re my only true friends on this earth.

“I never would have left you by choice,” I state and close the distance between Abbie and I. She remains in place until our chests brush, involuntarily leaning into me as I cup her cheek. Easing her face up to look at me, I pray she can see the earnestness in my gaze. “I have a thousand things to say, but it all can wait until I’ve told you I love you more than anyone has ever loved another. This time apart has been agony but with each passing day, I became more certain you are my soul mate. You came to me in my darkest time and showed me the light, and now we’re together again, I will never let go.”

“You said that before,” Abbie states, absent of emotion. “And you did. I nearly died—”

“And I broke every rule, risked being arrested and even worse, the wrath of your mother to be by your side. I’ve been watching over you, determined to see you succeed and cried for you in your failures. But you’ve succeeded, all on your own.” I step back to marvel at her robes, pride ripping a smile across my face.

“What about the letter?” she asks, the hurt in her eyes clearly visible.

“The twins told me about that. I was keeping track of you the whole time and I promise you I didn’t send it. I think it may have been Thornton. His way of letting you down gently, maybe. Either way, whatever it said is horseshit. I would never have left you if I had any other choice.”

As I speak, the words settle in that Abbie not only overcame the usual changes a young woman her age would face, she overcame her own demons. I’m in awe of that accomplishment alone. A Bentley pulls up beside us then, the back door flying open and a shriek piercing the air. Speak of the devil herself. I grab Abbie’s hand and pull her behind me, coming face-to-face with a glaring Agatha.

“Get your hands off her!” she shouts, feebly trying to push me aside.

“No fucking way. She’s graduated and I’m not on the campus, you have no hold over me now.” Agatha tries to shove at me again until Abbie walks out from behind the shield of my body to watch us curiously. I vaguely notice the far door of the Bentley opening but I’m distracted by Agatha flailing her arms until I snap my fingers in front of her face. “With whatever respect you believe you deserve, Agatha, there’s a high chance I’ll become your son-in-law one day and father your grandchildren. So if you want any part of Abbie’s or their lives,” I lean in close to her face now, “it’s time to back off, you old witch.”

A gruff throat is cleared, cutting off the wail of cursing Agatha is about to release. Robert Nightingale stands there, tall and proud in a soft grey suit. His eyes are sharp this time, focused on his daughter with a faint smile.

“Glad to see you’ve been reunited.” He nods to me. “This is quite the man you’ve found for yourself, Abigail. He refused to leave the hospital until he was certain you would be cared for properly.” Abbie’s head flicks up to me, but I don’t meet her gaze yet. Robert reaches past his stunned wife to give my hand a firm shake. “Good to see you again, son. Agatha, it’s time to go.” My throat constricts at his words and Abbie’s fingers suddenly interlink with mine as her parents return to their car and pull away. The air is thicker now than the smoke billowing from the exhaust, a heavy silence falling on us.

“You really did all of that for me?” Abbie asks in a small voice. I can’t take it anymore. Twisting and picking her up in one swift motion, I walk Abbie back until her spine mets the van and my mouth savages hers. Fireworks explode between us, crackling and igniting a newfound passion in me. Fuck, she tastes even better than I remember. My senses are filled with the sweet angel in my arms, the way her legs wrap around my waist and shoves her tongue into my mouth revealing her devilish nature. We devour each other, not needing air or words anymore. She is mine and I’m hers. That silent vow is cemented into our hearts, carved in by our brutally fierce love. Nothing will come between us again, wherever Abbie goes is the only place I will be found.

Breaking apart, chests heaving, Abbie rests her head against the van before looking back to take it in. “What the fuck is this?” she blurts, stifling a laugh. My cheeks flare and I set her down, rubbing a hand over the back of my neck.

“Look, I know it’s not pretty on the outside but at least take a look around the back.” Leading the way, I pull open the rear double doors of the campervan. Whereas the exterior is plainly white on top and powdered blue on the lower half, every inch of the inside has been painstakingly considered and worked on. Towards the front seats, there’s a mini kitchenette complete with countertop hob and small basin. There’s two of everything hidden inside the cabinets, along with a fold out table posing as a menu chalkboard. At the back, a double bed which faces out so we can watch the sunset cuddled up together, framed with fairy lights and covered with fluffy pillows and throws and shit like that.

“I know it’s probably not the splendor you’re used to, but I thought when you’re not counselling the youth of Liverpool, I thought we could go wherever the road takes us. Maybe even to America, like I promised. Just me and you.” I turn to face her now, catching sight of the tears in her eyes. Here goes nothing, my over-practised speech in the bathroom mirror coming to an end. “I’ve never wanted anything for myself, but now all I want is to see the world with you.” Abbie’s tears spill over and she throws herself into my arms.

“It’s perfect. You’re perfect. All this time I thought you’d moved on and forgotten about me—”

“Never,” I growl. Lifting her onto the edge of the bed, Abbie bounces slightly and I take my chance to kiss her again. And again. From her neck to her nose and back, I can’t get enough. Abbie giggles and pushes me back, cocking an eyebrow at me.

“Wait, how did you know about my counselling job?”

“Musgrove,” I reply, diving back into the crook of her neck and she laughs.

“Of course, I should have known.” My hands roam Abbie’s body, unable to resist the woman I’ve been dreaming about. Working my way down her legs, I pry her biker boots off so she doesn’t dirty the covers, before pushing her further up the bed. Yeah, I know, I’ve changed. Kicking off my own, I crawl over her and yank on the inside handles to close us inside. “You know,” Abbie breathes in between kisses, “I’m no longer a student and you’re not a teacher. What better way to start our new future than to test this bed right outside the academy?”

“Oh, you little minx,” I smirk. Rolling up her robes, I pause upon finding my Metallica t-shirt hidden underneath. I can’t speak for a moment, stroking the motif over her breasts. This girl is everything I could have hoped for, the one to draw me from the pit of resentment I hid behind. The one who grounds me, gives me a reason to live and has shown me how to love. “I fucking love you, Abbie.” I have to tell her right now before I burst.

“I fucking love you too, Jethro. Now show me just how much.” She winks and I don’t need to be asked twice.

The End

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