Chapter 7

Rubie's Pov

It's Thursday, the day before I leave for South Korea. Also, the day I go to the amusement park after sixteen years...wow, I have a bittersweet feeling about today, I'll be going out with my family like old times, but it's also the last time I'll see them in a while...again.

My mom didn't wake me today, but when I got downstairs, I saw mom bring out beautiful-looking egg and ham sandwiches with my favorite coffee to the table.

"Morning, family!'' shout to get their attention

"Good morning dear," Mom and Dad chorus

"Morning, sis," Ryan says, dragging a chair out for me to sit

"Thank you, what's with the special treatment, huh," I say, pointing at everything going on.

"Well, today is your last there before you fly away," Ryan says, handing me my plate and a cup of coffee and creamer with sugar.

"Thanks, true. I feel so sad, but at least I'll spend the whole day with you guys," I say, smiling.

"Yes, and we'll go to the park later in the evening; Ryan isn't going to school today, and I'll be home before 4. I want to make sure I spend the last second with you before you leave," my dad says, reaching for my hand.

"Thanks, Dad. I'm happy you even allowed Ryan to stay home" I hold his hand and smile at my mom.

We talk throughout breakfast, and Dad has to go to work when we're done eating. We clear up the plates, and Ryan washes them up; Mom decides to open the restaurant before 12 today, saying the earlier, the better, so that we close early and still make it to the park.

Ryan and I help a lot in the restaurant, and it's just as impressive as it was the first time I helped here. Having a restaurant after University is a different joy that most people will not understand.

We take a break when the customers reduce and Bri visits. Ryan invited her to introduce her to our mom formally, so I was wrong; he wasn't playing her. He was just scared of what Dad will say, and I got him. I hid Brad for some time before big mouth; Jessica mistakenly told my mom about him. I'm happy Ryan finally introduced her to Mom, but I don't think he'll introduce her to Dad that soon.

"I'm so grateful, is that you spoke to Dad. That's what gave me guts to bring Bri here," he says, looking at her and my mom laughing and continuing.

"He apologized for the way he behaved, and we started talking like father and son again; you're going tomorrow, and your visit was short, but it was a blessing to help Dad come back to his senses, thank you for coming," he says hugging me tight.

"I missed you, big sis," he says, and that's the first time in a while that I heard that; I hug him back, smiling.

"So you are serious about Bri, right, I have her number, and if you mess up, I'll come back from South Korea and kick your ass," I say, breaking the hug; he laughs.

"You behave like you're her sister, not mine," he says, pouting

"I told you I didn't want you; I wanted a sister, so..." I trail off, smirking

"Oh, really okay then, and yes, to reply to your question, I'm serious about her. She's my type, and she gets me; I like her."

"If that's the case, then if she is the one to mess up. Tell me I'll teach her a lesson; I hope you guys last," I say as we walk towards Mom and Bri.

Bri helps, too, before we close the restaurant by 2, and she leaves. Dad comes home by three and freshens up, and I serve lunch, pasta, and meatballs, precisely what I ate the day I came back; that's what I'll eat before returning, and it's also Dad's favorite.

We have lunch together and talk; I feel so happy; this is what I miss and will miss when I leave again.

After lunch, I go and freshen up. I put on a baggy black top and baggy jeans overall with timberlands; I pack my hair in two uneven doughnuts, chokers, rings and necklaces, and magnet earrings. I put my phone and AirPods in my pocket and then walk downstairs. My family is all dressed up, and we decide to take a selfie; Mom says she's getting the picture framed.

The drive to the amusement park is short and I make us ride all of thealmost all of them while eating cotton candy and the chocolate snacks I can lay my hands on, we also take pictures everywhere we can, making last-minute memories, and it's so fun.

I'm so happy they agreed to this trip; it's incredible.

By the time we return home, it's all laughs and happiness flowing everywhere. We shouldn't be making dinner tonight; so tired.

I go to my room and call Brooke to tell her about today.

"Hey, hey, co-worker," I say

"Hey you, what's up?" She says

"Just called to check up on you."

"Your girl is just there, but I had fun today. I went out with Caleb, and we hit off great, so .... he'll ask me out soon, I guess," she says, and I widen my eyes.

''I thought you had a boyfriend."

"Meh... didn't work out," she dismisses it

"Jesus Christ, Brooke, that was two days ago," I scold

"Yep, it was fun while it lasted," she says, and I shake my head

"How was your day, though? You're leaving tomorrow, right?, How are your family taking it?", She asks

"You remembered, yep, they're doing okay. I had fun today; we spent the whole afternoon at the amusement park; we just got back," I say to her, looking at the time; it's 8:30 pm

"Ohh, that's nice. I'm happy you're happy, love," she says, then continues

"How do you feel about leaving everything and going halfway around the world for one and a half years? You won't see any of us," she says thoughtfully.

"Well, to be honest, I feel bombed; we just discovered our friendship, and then I disappeared, and my family is so much better with me around, and I know that, but I'm doing it for my future and adventure. I need to go out and see more people, opportunities. I've been cooked up in my world for too long, I live such a mundane life, and I should loosen out. Yeah, and this is just the perfect opportunity, so I'm happy I'll be leaving my comfort zone, but sad I'll leave the people that make me comfortable," I explain to her with a sigh.

"I get what you say, Rubie; you must spread your wings. I'll miss you. Like I said, I'm happy when you're happy," she says. We talk more about her and how many options she has if Caleb fucks up what they have.

She hangs up, saying she needs to sleep and get up for her classes tomorrow; she's currently in grad school. I hear my family downstairs, and I join them; they're having I'll weekly night movie times on weekends, usually on Fridays, but since I won't be here by then, we have it today. I sit next to Ryan with folded legs on the couch, and we watch Wakanda forever, and it's fantastic; I won't spoil it, so go and watch it. After watching the movie and discussing it a lot more, it clocks 2 am, and Dad retires to bed first, then Mom; Dad wasn't joking when he said he would spend the last second we have today cause he's free.

Ryan also goes to bed saying a 'night, big sis' that makes me smile.

I'm so tired when I retire to my room, the fatigue is pulling me down, but I'm so happy with how today turned out; I'll travel tomorrow happy. I'm reminiscing today and how Ryan puked with a silly smile as I fell asleep.