“Let’s go,” Jace says from behind me. When I turn, everyone is waiting, and they all look as upset as I am.
I take his outstretched hand, and we all make our way back toward the main house and stand in solitude outside the doors.
“What are we doing?” I ask as we line up side by side.
Lennon takes my free hand. “We’re waiting to say goodbye the only way we can. They have to go back through this way, and the least we can do is send them off with a smile and a wave. If that’s all we get, we’re going to embrace it.”
His answer is simply put, but the emotion and meaning behind his words are anything but simple. With Jace on my right and Lennon on my left, holding both of their hands, I lift my head high and wait for Kyra to come around the corner. When she does, we all stand strong, hand in hand, and send her off with warm smiles and I love yous, much to Claudia’s dismay.
The line parts, and as everyone begins walking back to their respective villas, I stand my ground.
“I’m glad it wasn’t one of you,” I finally say when I think everyone’s out of earshot.
Looking back at me, they each nod once but don’t say anything. They don’t have to. I can see the relief in their eyes. It mirrors my own.
We’ve been given another week together. We’re going to make the most of it. No more rules. No more holding back.