Returning To… 13A

The long month had finally come to an end. Sawyer and Otto both followed Travis, Tom and Tate to the airport. It had been an entirely fun month. In front of the departure building, the three heading back stopped and faced the two who would be going back to school in a few days. All small smiles on their faces.

For Sawyer. To think at some point he was too pissed to talk to his brother. And after a month together, after seven months away, he wasn't really ready to see him go. For Tom, it was more about going back to an empty house. Although Travis will be going back with him. For Tate it was the fact that after getting to be with both of them, he wouldn't get to be anymore. Somehow it helped a little being with them. Aunt Steph would be happy about this. It still wasn't the same without Peggy. For Travis, finally giving work some space to spend time with his family. And to see that they're okay and knowing they're alright. The smiles on their faces all month and the way they talked too. They're all getting there, right?

"So, back we go." Tate spoke first. "It's nice to meet you Otto."

"It's nice to meet you too." Otto flashed a smile.

"Thank your mom for the spa suggestion. It was fun." Tom added.

Sawyer assessed his dad. "You owe me dinner." "What?" Travis chuckled while asking.

"Tom said you made dinner for him."

"When you finally come home then."

Sawyer nodded. Home… he hadn't thought of home in months. And he could keep home away from his mind for a while. He enjoyed his time with his dad. They all spent time together. Some good times.

Tate walked over to Sawyer and placed his hand on his shoulder. "I can't wait to meet Noelle. You've always got good friends. Do you still talk to Kevin and the guys?"

"Yeah. But not really since umm…" he looked at his feet. "Alastair and Cassius came over. I talked to Viola last week." There were also Tyson and Symphony. Little contact was made even among themselves. Everyone went off to different universities. Even Symphony and Alistair. High school sweethearts who fought now more than they ever did in high school.

"We should get going. Tom has to go pack up and get back. School starts in a week."

Tate nodded. Peggy would have been in school too. To watch her walking through the school hallways. The smile on her face. All the possibilities in between.

He wasn't the only one with similar thoughts. Tom couldn't help thinking about how the first day of the school year will be without his mom coming to wake him up and coming up to the front door just before he leaves with a kiss to wish him the best school year. There's always something to think about, something to miss, something to make them all feel incomplete and hollow.

"Have a safe flight guys." Sawyer said, stuffing his hands in his trouser pockets.

"Keep your phone on." Travis cleared his throat. "We'll call you."

Sawyer nodded. "Don't forget to give it to Raina Tate." He'd wrapped a bracelet for her. He had one for Noelle too and Hannah. But Hannah wouldn't get hers just yet.

"Definitely mate. I'll give her." Tate pat Sawyer's back and started to leave his side.

"Bye Otto, later Sawyer." Tom turned around."Bye guys." Tate stepped beside his friend.

"Goodbye mister Wade, Tom, Tate." "Dad." Sawyer walked up to him. Travis looked at him expectantly. "Thanks for spending the whole month with us. We know it wasn't part of your plan."

"We?" He scoffed. Knowing he was speaking for both himself and his brother. "I'm glad I did too. It just happened a little too late." He looked down as he said that last part, then looked back at Sawyer.

He had an idea of what his dad was saying. "I didn't want to leave my room for a whole month. It was a silly thing." He looked down now. "I didn't want to be away from home for so long before going to school. I sh-"

Travis placed his hand on Sawyer's shoulder. Hoping his assuring small smile will indeed assure him. "Don't think like that. If that plan had worked out, it would have been you four. I would still have been too busy. There are a lot of opportunities we missed but there are some we didn't. We've been on the yacht before right? She was eleven. We've traveled. You've all traveled. So don't think like that." He squeezed his shoulder lightly. "You're okay?"

"I am." Sawyer nodded. Not able to match his father's small smile. "I am." He said again. There was truth in there somewhere.

He hoped it was the truth. He really wanted it to be. "Good. One day at a time okay?"

Sawyer nodded. "Bye dad." Travis gave him a look that repeated his earlier order to keep his phone on. "I will." Sawyer scoffed.

Travis sighed. "Alright then."

***

The school air was different. There was no reason for it to be, but it was. Sawyer left for school a few days before Otto. With school already open, it was easier to come back than spend more days in his hotel room. This way, he can be fully prepared for the school year. Rolling his suitcase down the very familiar path to his hostel, he took in the very familiar sites, planning where he would go first to get what he needed. All he had in his bag were clothes and shoes. Finally getting to the hostel doors, he stopped, let go of his suitcase and was just about to open the doors when it flew open and arms attacked him. Wrapping round his neck. Completely shocked, he froze wide eyes staring at the empty hallway. Feeling a heart beating against his own then he heard a giggle. He smiled and smiled more when he thought how sweet it is that she just hugged him. His hands captured her waist and he chuckled too. "Hannah Barbra." He called.

She stepped back. "This is so much better than waiting to hear from you." She assessed him. Is it possible, to look so much more beautiful, hotter?

"Stalking me?" He smirked. "I bet you have your answer ready."

She folded her arms, smiling and shaking her head. "See now, no reason I give will save me."