( chapter thirteen )

" I don't have to be so afraid of goodbye, because goodbye doesn't have to be forever. "

- Jenny Han, To All the Boys I've Loved Before

❁

FOR THE PAST WEEKS BEFORE TOM WAS LEAVING FOR CALIFORNIA, he and Y/N spent it together as what they have promised to each other.  They would also invite Harrison and Erika with them from time to time. 

Tom also spent it with his family since he would be away from them too, not just from Y/N. 

Tom and Y/N could not stop exchanging with each other a bunch of 'i love you' and holding on to each other. They would have lunch together while in school and dinner at Y/N's home since her dad would cook for them. 

There was a day wherein Aiden and Tom spoke to each other and apologized because of the fight they had before. It was also the time that Tom told Aiden that he was leaving for his acting career. 

Few days before he was leaving, he had his last day in school. He already talked with his teachers and the principal regarding his acting career and cannot go to school anymore. 

At the same time, he also spent it with some of his friends together with Harrison. Y/N gave him time to spend it with them. 

And an unexpected moment happened during that day.

"Hey, Tom and Y/N." A very familiar voice called out for them and the couple looked back at that person.

"Camille?" Tom asked and she just gave them a small smile.

"Mind if we talk for a bit?" She asked and both Y/N and Tom looked at each other in confusion.

They arrived outside the school building to talk since Camille asked. They sat down in the bleachers where the view was the lacrosse team playing. Tom will surely miss playing lacrosse with his teammates. 

"Look." Camille started and looked at the couple. "I just want to say that I'm sorry for everything. Most especially to you, Y/N." Camille's eyes focused on Y/N who just looked at her back. 

"I'm so stupid enough to call you my enemy just because of some boy that I liked." She pointed at Tom. "All these years, we could've stayed best friends until now you know? But because of my jealousy, I ruined it." Camille continued and already felt tears forming in her eyes. Y/N felt her chest tighten and went near Camille. "I'm sorry, Y/N. I mean it now." 

Y/N gave an arm around Camille's shoulder and pulled her closer for a hug. Camille was now crying more when Y/N pulled her for a hug. Y/N felt that everything was better now that Camille apologized for her mistakes. "I forgive you now, Camille." She whispered, loud enough for Camille to hear. Y/N looked at Tom who was smiling at what was happening. 

"Really?" Camille asked as she pulled away to look at Y/N. Y/N just gave her a reassuring smile as an answer. Camille hugged her once again by surprise which made Y/N giggle and hugged back.

"Thank you, Y/N. I swear, I'll be better for you this time." Camille said while hugging Y/N.

"I take your word on that, Millie," Y/N said and Camille's eyes widen as soon as she heard that nickname that Y/N just called her.

"You called me Millie again," Camille said and smiled. Millie was the nickname that Y/N made for Camille. She would always call her by that name since they were best friends. 

"Millie?" Tom asked Y/N.

"It was the nickname I used to call her," Y/N answered and Tom nodded in agreement.

"So Tom," Camille called him. "I heard that you got that role for the new Spider-man."

Tom scratched the back of his neck before answering. "Well yeah, I did. I'm glad I was the one who got it." He answered. 

"Does this mean that you'll be leaving?" She asked.

"Yeah. I'm leaving next Monday already." Tom answered. 

"Would you be okay with that, Y/N?" Camille asked Y/N who just smiled and looked at Tom.

"It's his dream after all. I support him for that." Y/N answered. 

Camille looked at Tom and Y/N and just smiled. "You really are a perfect match, you know?"

❁

last week of january 2016

Y/N, together with Tom's whole family, Harrison, and Erika, came to the airport to see Tom leave for California. 

"Facetime us from time to time, dear." His mother said while giving him a kiss on the cheek. "I will mom, don't worry," Tom said while hugging her.

"Here is a book of mine to keep you up when you feel stressed out." His father said and gave a book that he wrote. Tom got it and hugged his father.

"Man, I'll miss golfing with you." Harry, his brother, said when he gave his older brother a hug. "And beating you In golf too." He added which made Tom punch his chest lightly.

"You sure you're not coming with me to pursue your photography career?" Tom asked him and Harry shook his head.

"I have to finish school first," Harry said. "I'm still sixteen, bro." He added.

Tom also gave a hug to Harry's twin brother, Sam, and also had a quick chat with him. Seeing this made Y/N feel so happy that she got a boyfriend who was so loving towards his family.

"He'll be a great actor, you know." Y/N heard Harrison's voice talking to her. "I would show you his performance in Billy Elliot soon." He added.

"You should," Y/N answered Harrison who gave her a smile before Tom approached them. 

"Man, I'll miss you," Harrison said. "I'll catch up with you there soon though." They gave each other a hug and patted each other's back.

"I know, mate," Tom answered back to Harrison. "Take care of Y/N for me, okay?" He told his best mate and Harrison nodded. Tom also turned to Erika who was there and gave her a hug too.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of her too," Erika said and pulled Tom closer for her to whisper in his ear, "Don't let the ladies swoon over for you when you get there. Got that?" Erika said and pulled Tom back. "Don't worry, I got my eyes only for Y/N." He said to Erika and she just smiled and gave him a high five.

Lastly, Tom turned his attention to Y/N. Save the best for last, he said to himself.

His family and their friends walked back a little to give them some time alone. As soon as Tom had his eyes on her, she couldn't help but cry a little but she also gave a smile. Tom walked closer to her and wrapped his arms around her. 

"Fuck." Tom cursed under his breath. "It's hard to leave because of you, you know? Should I just cancel?" He joked that made Y/N punch him lightly. "I'm kidding, love." 

Y/N raised her head up to look at him properly. Tom cupped her cheeks with his hands and leaned his forehead to hers. "Wait for me, okay?" He whispered. He pressed his lips to hers for a while and eventually pulled away.

"I will, Tom. Even if you take years, I'll wait for you." Y/N answered and sobbed. She looked away for a while.

"Look at me, love," Tom said and that made Y/N look up to him again. "I will never not think about you." He said and kissed her forehead that made her smile and held on to his arm.

"And I'll never stop loving you, Tom," Y/N said. "I'll miss you so much,"

"I'll miss you the most," Tom said. He hugged her once again with his head on top of hers for a while before pulling away and gathered all his luggage.  He waved to his family and friend before walking away.  

All Y/N could do was watch him leave until she noticed that her hair was tied with the scrunchie that her mother gave to her. Her eyes suddenly widen and had an idea on her mind.

"Tom! Wait!" She called after him and ran towards him before he could go through the gates.

As soon as Tom heard her voice, he stopped walking and looked back to see Y/N running towards him. She suddenly jumped onto him and he caught her and spun her around.

He put her down before saying anything to her, "What's wrong?" He asked her, concerned.

Y/N then untied her hair and handed him the scrunchie. "I just wanted to give this to you. Something that you can keep while you're away. Something that will make you think of me." She said.

"But, isn't this the only thing that you could remember your mom?" He asked her.

"She will always be in my memory, Tom." She answered with a smile and Tom smiled back at her. He held out his hand and Y/N placed the scrunchie around his wrist. They hugged once again and pulled away then Y/N pressed her lips to him. After a few seconds, she finally pulled away and leaned her forehead to his.

"I love you, Y/N Y/L/N," Tom whispered.

"I love you, Thomas, always."

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

A/N: it was heartbreaking making this chapter honestly. but it's also sad that this book is almost finished! stay tuned for the epilogue in the next few days. love ya'll!

WORD COUNT 1,600 words
PUBLISHED april 10, 2020