"Wait, your leaving? Again?" Leo asked, staring at me with his mouth agape.

I nodded, smiling excitedly, "Yeah. My aunt thinks it's a good idea for me to connect with my roots and what better way to do that than be with my family."

"You're family?" Leo repeated, "You mean the people who constantly lied to you about your identity for who knows how long? That family?"

"Leo," I warned, stuffing another round of clothes into my suitcase, "It's only for two weeks and besides," turning over to look at him, I finished, "I might even get some answers on this stupid journal. Maybe even a loophole to all this royalty business."

Sitting besides my open suitcase, Leo raised an eyebrow at me, "What do you mean a loophole?"

"I'll sort of...don't want to be the next queen?"

His eyes widened once again, "What?"

"Hey Mia, your aunt's here." Chase informed me, walking into the room as Leo continued to just stare at me in shock.

I smiled at him, "Thanks Chase. Could you take that box down to the car for me?"

"Yeah, sure." Walking over to the cardboard box besides my bed, he picked it up before glancing at me as if silently asking if he needed to know what was going on with Leo and I. I shook my head, in response and continued to stuff my suitcase.

Before Chase had left the room, Leo asked him, "And you're okay with this?"

He nodded, "I think it'll help Mia's memory if she's around the people she grew up with."

"What about me? I grew up with her?"

"Leo," I sighed, why are you so against me leaving?"

"Well," Chase began, "I'll take that as my cue to leave."

Once Chase was out the door, I moved my suitcase and seated myself besides him.

Grabbing my hand, Leo held it in his for a while. Leaning my head on his shoulder, I rubbed circles into the back of his palm, waiting for him to respond.

It was quiet between us, an enjoyable silence. I often find it funny how relaxed I am with him. Like with Adam, I can't really make any physical contact without him inacting it.

Bree and I hug every now and again but even then it feels off.

Chase and I are just compulsive (jealous), awkward, or just subconscious.

But with Leo, it was just instinct. It was like he could read my mind and I could read his. Bree often told me that before when we fought together, it was as if we were one. Then again, I wouldn't expect anything else. After all, we did grow up together. It only makes sense that we know each other from the inside out.

"It's just," Leo sighed, breaking the silence, "I don't want you to get hurt again."

"I won't." I reassured him, "And if it makes you feel any better I'll facetime you every day to keep you updated."

Leo shook his head, "Nah. You should spend as much time with your family as you can. Don't worry about me. Now," standing up he grabbed my last suitcase and told me, "I think it's time for you to go back home to Mission Creek."

My smile faltered for a second, "Yeah. Home."
______________________________________
"Ready wannabe blondie." Austin informed me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

I glanced down at my fading died blond tips before looking back at him and asked back, "I'm the wannabe blondie?"

Rolling his eyes, he shoved lightly, "Shut up and get in the car Mia."

I laughed at his flushed red look as he walked into the drivers side before jumping in.

Looking back at the warehouse housing the hydra loop to the island, I sighed.

I already missed them.

"Mia." My cousin called out, catching my attention. I hummed back in response.

He sighed before continuing, "Don't worry. You'll be back before you know it."

Turning around to face him, I nodded and told him, "I know."

He was right. I would be back before I knew it but all for the wrong reasons.