CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
( GOODBYE )

     CARMEN SIGHS HEAVILY. Aurora and Jonah stand in front of her, their bags laying at their feet, and Jonah's red Corvette parked behind them. The girl gives Aurora a weak smile, swallowing back her tears.

"You're leaving to meet Jonah's parents," Carmen announces lowly, sinking into Zach's side. "When will you be back?"

"Two weeks tops," Aurora replies. "It won't be long, Caramel. I promise I'll call you every night. It'll feel like I'm right next to you on the couch."

"But you won't be," The girl stresses. "Are you sure you want to leave? I don't want to even think about something happening to you-"

"Nothing will happen," Jonah assures her, placing his arm around Aurora's waist. "I'll make sure of that. You just enjoy your time with Zach, and I'll take care of Aurora."

"Okay," Carmen murmers, nodding as she blinks away tears. "Jonah, I trust you. Please keep an eye on her for me."

"Of course," He smiles as Aurora rushes forward, embracing Carmen in a hug.

"I'll going to miss you, Caramel," Aurora mutters into the girl's shoulder. "Stay safe for me, alright? Don't let Heroine boss you around."

"I won't," Carmen chuckles, wrapping her arms around Aurora's waist.

"And you," Aurora starts, looking over to Zach, pointing an accusing finger in his face. "You better watch her, Heroine. If you let anything happen to her, I will hurt you so much."

"Don't worry, I'll make sure she's safe," Zach grins down at Carmen, his eyes lighting up as they find hers. "Always."

"Good, because I'm sure Daniel Skye would like a date with Carmen if you happened to go missing," Aurora smirks, sending Zach a wink.

"I don't think so."

"I love you, Caramel," Aurora waves, grabbing her bags before Jonah has the chance to. "I'll call you while I'm on the plane, okay?"

"I love you too," Carmen says, her bottom lip trembling as her best friend slides into the car. "See you soon."

The car doors slam, and the engine of the Corvette starts up. Zach leads Carmen back a few steps, both of them watching as the car slowly drives away. The passenger window rolls down, revealing a waving Aurora.

"BYE, CARAMEL! I MISS YOU ALREADY!"

Chuckling through her tears, Carmen lays her head on Zach's shoulder. "So, what are we going to do without her?"

"I've actually already made plans," Zach says, the edge of his lips twitching upwards. "I'd like to take you out on a date today."

"Really?" Carmen questions, excitement clear in her voice.

"Yes, really," He agrees, his heart skipping a beat as a smile appears on her face.

"And I've already made plans, too," Daniel says, stepping over to the two. "I'd like to third wheel this date."

"Daniel is going?" Carmen raises an eyebrow.

"I didn't plan th-"

"Yes," Daniel says, tossing his arm over Zach's shoulder. "I am going."

---

"Oh my gosh, I need another one of these popsicles!" Carmen gushes, tossing the empty plastic into the trashcan they pass by. "They're literally the most amazing thing ever."

"Another one?" Zach chuckles. "That's your fifteenth already. Since when have you had an addiction to popsicles?"

"Since they started tasting so good," She shrugs. "Is my tongue blue?"

"You look like you ate a smurf," Zach laughs as she sticks out her tongue. "But it's cute. You make being a murderer look good."

"On a scale of one to ten, I rate you a negative two," Daniel chimes from behind the two. "Zach, step up your flirting skills. You may be boyfriend and girlfriend already, but that doesn't mean you should stop trying."

"Daniel," Zach warns, turning to face him with a sigh. "Why don't you go get Carmen a few more popsicles while we go play some games?"

"Zach, we're at the fair," Daniel says. "Am I being used here? Do you not want me to chaperone?"

"No, actually," He grumbles in responce.

"Well too bad," Daniel laughs. "I'll be here all night. But go have fun. I'll get Carmen some popsicles."

"Thanks you," Carmen smiles, taking Zach's hand in hers. "Come on, Zach. I want to ride the Scrambler."

"I'm not too good with spinning rides," The boy states as Daniel walks away, leaving the two alone. "So be prepared for anything. I might just throw up on you."

"Please don't," Carmen winces. "I'd rather not be thrown up on."

"I'm kidding," Zach snickers, leading her over to the short line for the ride. "I have a high tolerance for spinning, you're in luck."

"Then I guess I'm luc-"

"OH MY GOSH, I KNOW YOU!" A young girl rushes over, jumping onto Zach. "IT'S ZACH HERRON, MADDIE! HE'S REALLY HERE!"

Carmen stumbles backwards from Zach's grasp, nearly tripping over a stranger. Steadying herself, she braces herself on her good foot, before pressing some of her weight onto the other. Zach sends a worried glance at her, seemingly not noticing the girl that had attached herself onto his waist.

"You're my favorite from Why Don't We," The girl gasps, stumbling on the tips of her toes. "I love you so much, I can't believe you're here!"

"I love you too," Zach says, his hand reaching out to Carmen.

"Who are you?" The girl questions, looking up at Carmen as her sister, "Maddie", joins the three. "Are you Jonah's sister? You look kinda like him . . . "

"No, this is my girlfriend," Zach informs her with a smile. "Her name is Carmen. Carmen Elliot."

"You have a girlfriend?" Maddie's eyes widen. "I thought you were single!"

Carmen laughs, covering her mouth as the twelve year old pouts, puckering out her bottom lip. The other girl then proceeds to step over to Carmen, staring up at her.

"You're pretty." She states simply.

"Thank you," Carmen smiles down at her. "So are you, I like your hair. Did you braid it yourself?"

"ZACH!" Maddie screeches, her eyes widening as she looks up at him. "Can we get a picture with you?"

Carmen giggles down at the eleven year old as she bats her eyelashes repeatedly. Zach glances from Carmen to the little girls, nodding as Maddie pulls her phone from her pocket.

"Mom!" Maddie yells into a crowd beside of them. "Come here!"

Immediately, an older woman rushes from the crowd, her eyes searching for her daughter. As her eyes find Maddie and Lana, she relaxes, and steps over to the two.

"Thank God! I almost couldn't find you! Where have you two been?"

"We found Zach Herron!" Lana exclaims. "And guess what! He has a girlfriend!"

"Well that's amazing," The woman chuckles, looking to Zach and Carmen. "I'm sorry they bothered you, they've just wanted to meet you for a while."

"It's fine," Zach dismisses. "Now, who wants a picture?"

"I do!" Maddie says, shoving her phone into her mother's hands. "Come on, Carmen! I want you in the picture, too."

"Are you sure?" Carmen questions, her cheeks heating up at Zach shoots her a wink. "I'm not famous or anything . . . "

"You are to me."

Maddie proceeds to grab Carmen's hand, tugging her gently next to Zach. Lana wraps her arms around Zach, while Maddie holds onto Carmen. Holding up the phone, their mother snaps a quick picture as the four of them smile at the camera.

"Thank you!" Lana hugs Zach again.

"Oh, before we go," Maddie starts, turning to Zach. "You need to tell everyone about Carmen, don't you think?"

"There's no need to rush," Carmen assures Zach and the girls.

"Everyone will love you, I promise." Maddie states.

"Yeah, Carmen," Zach nudges her. "Why Don't We introduce you to the fans?"

Laughing as she lays her head on Zach's shoulder, Carmen shakes her head. "You're such a loser. But yeah. Why Don't We?"

_____