"Niall's grandpa died."

I burst into tears as the words left my mom's mouth. My grandma had died when I was eight. It must be so sad for Niall being so far away. Mom held Niall for a little longer and then I sat next to him while he sniffled and wiped his eyes. I held his hand for a while and we just sat there quietly. Finally, I whispered, "I'm sorry, Niall."

"Yeah, thanks," he whispered back and he gave me a half a smile. But then his lip crumpled as he began to say, "I just want to go home."

"Maybe you can," I suggested. "Maybe you can call your mom and dad later and ask."

"I don't think they'll let me fly that far alone."

I gasped suddenly and said, "I have an idea!" I rushed to my mom and said, "Niall really wants to go back to Ireland. Maybe I can fly with him."

Mom's face held a look of amusement, but also compassion. "Honey, I really don't think he's going to be able to go back to Ireland. And I know you mean well but you're not old enough to go with him."

"Mom, I'm almost 15!" I argued.

"Maggie, you turned 14 three months ago."

"Still, I'm a very mature 14 year old."

"Sweetie, just do your best to comfort him here. You're not going to Ireland," she said with that final-sounding tone and I knew there was no changing her mind.

I went back to where Niall was sitting; he hadn't moved an inch. "Do you want to watch something funny?" I suggested.

"No."

"How about if we plan more of our trip."

He just shook his head.

"I know. You need one of my best super fudge milkshakes." I went into the kitchen and found that we had all the ingredients. As I whipped up the shakes, Niall wandered into the kitchen. I put extra chocolate chips on top of his and handed it to him.

"Thanks, Meg," he said. "Maybe we can watch a movie after all."

At dinner time, Dad announced that he had been talking with the Horans in Ireland and together they had made a decision. Niall was going to be able to fly home for his grandpa's funeral, and my father was planning to go with him. I was happy he'd get to go home but disappointed that I couldn't go. I understood, I guess. My dad had flown before and I hadn't, and of course, I wasn't an adult even though I thought I could handle it. But in any case, Niall would get to be with his family and that's what was most important.

"When will you leave?" I asked.

"Tomorrow afternoon. We'll fly out of Louisville, change planes in Washington, DC, and then it's an overnight flight into Dublin."

"Wow," I said. "I wish I could go." Niall smiled at the thought.

"Another time, kiddo, I promise," Dad answered. "When it's not such a sad occasion and you have more time to visit."

"That sounds like a good idea."

That night, I hung out with Niall in his old basement bedroom while he packed his suitcase and then we played some cards. I was bummed that we wouldn't be spending New Year's Eve together, but I didn't say anything. He was sad enough about his grandpa.

"Thanks for today, Meg," Niall said as I got ready to head to bed.

"Sure thing, Niall. That's what friends are for." I hugged him tightly and I could tell he didn't want to let go.

Around midnight, I heard a creaking of the floor outside my room and then I heard Niall whispering, "Meg, are you awake?"

"Yeah, what's up?" I whispered back.

"Can't sleep," he said.

"Want me to come back downstairs with you?"

"Could you?"

"Of course." I grabbed my pillow and the top blankets from my bed even though Niall's bed already had blankets on it. We sat and talked for a little and watched a little Spongebob to make us laugh before we tried to sleep again.

When we finally turned off the light and drew the blankets over us, I scooted close to Niall but I didn't want him to think it was weird. I wondered if maybe I should hold his hand like I did in the caves. This strange part of me wanted to hug him, like to actually hold him but I thought that might be weird because he was like my brother after all. I thought it might really help but I chickened out. I eventually turned on my side, away from him, and he turned away from me. But somehow we ended up with our backs pressed together and it felt like that was the perfect way for him to fall asleep.

The next morning was kind of a flurry of things, from getting last minute items packed and making sure Dad and Niall knew where their passports and boarding passes were. Niall looked happy which made me feel happy. He was excited about going back to Ireland. No one had made mention of how long he was going to stay or even how long my dad was going to stay. I just hoped it wouldn't be too long. I'd miss them both a lot.

When they were ready to leave, I hugged them both tightly. "Maybe you can call me while you're there," I told Niall. "Just tell me how things are going or whatever. You know, if you have time. Otherwise, I'll see you when you get back."

"Sure thing," he said in a hoarse voice. Our hug lasted a long time. It was weird, like neither of us wanted to let go.

It was my dad's urging that finally made us say a last good-bye. I waved as Dad pulled out of the driveway and headed to Louisville. The rest of the day seemed barren without Niall; the rest of the break did, actually.

To pass the time, I did some more research on our Route 66 trip. I wanted to find some more cool places we could stop, something for him to check out when he got back. I returned to school on January 3 so it wasn't that long after he left that I got back into my routine. He would be coming home in one week, but I still missed him like crazy and couldn't wait til he got back.

* * * * *

I know - super short chapter. I could have tacked it onto the last one, but I didn't have this part quite ready and I didn't realize it would be so short. Stay tuned - lots more coming up!