93The day before they were scheduled to leave, Crystal was lounging in the recreation area of the orphanage, watching TV. She already had all her things packed. She couldn't wait to start anew. She would miss the friends she had made here at the orphanage, and at school, but she was glad that she was moving on. She took a bite out of her granola bar, switching channels with her other hand. She looked at the clock. It was almost six o'clock, so she decided to watch the news. She turned to the news station, and settled into the sofa.
Half an hour into watching the news, Crystal's head shot up when she heard her parents' name. She watched intently, her heart pounding. The news broadcaster informed the public that they had been arrested at a motel on the outskirts of Ruskin. Her eyes watered. She had pushed the thoughts of her parents out of her mind as much as she could. Half of her had wanted them to get away, while the other half wanted them to get arrested. She took a deep breath, shutting her eyes. She was so tired of all of this. She was glad that it was all over. Or mostly over. There was still the thought of the Paytons. She was sure that they were involved, even though it hadn't been spelled out the night she had overheard their conversation. All she had was speculation.
She shut off the TV, and threw the wrapper into the trash. She walked into her room and climbed up to her bunk bed. She was drifting off to sleep, when there was a knock on her door. Her head shot up.
"Yeah, come in," she called out. Cindy poked her head in.
"Hey, Crystal. You have a call," she stated.
"Thanks," Crystal replied, getting down from her bed, and out of her room. She walked up to the pay phone, and picked it up.
"Hello?" she answered.
"Hey, Crystal, it's Nick," he replied, his voice sounding different.
"Hey, what's going on?" she asked, picking up on it right away.
"Well, there was a raid in the Payton's house. They were all arrested. The police caught them packing. Apparently, they were gonna skip town!" Nick explained.
"Wow. So what I thought was true," she whispered to herself.
"Anyway, there's still a bunch of cops around, and a lot of people outside. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know what was going on, since you used to be friends slash ex of Josh," he responded.
"Yeah, that's interesting news," she stated.
"Anyway, how's everything else going with you? You ready for tomorrow?" he inquired.
"Yeah, I'm definitely ready. I'm already all packed and everything. I only have a few more things to pack tomorrow morning, then I'll be all set," she told him.
"Me too. My dad's still furious with me. My mom's just sad to see me go, but she's glad that I'm gonna become something in life," he replied.
"Yeah, me too," she said.
"Well, I'm going to let you go. My mom made this huge dinner as a going away for me, and she's already calling me down. I'll see you tomorrow morning?"
"Yeah. I'm going to call the cab, and then we're going to go pick you up, and from there we can go to the train station," she replied, going over everything they had planned.
"Great. I'm so excited," he told her.
"Me too. I can hardly wait. Anyway, see you tomorrow," she said.
"See you." They hung up, and Crystal went back to her room. Molly was there going through her bag. She looked up when Crystal walked in.
"Hey, Crystal, we're about to play some card games in the entertainment room. Wanna play with us?" she asked. Crystal nodded.
"Sure," she answered. She had nothing better to do.
"Great, come on, let's go." Molly pulled out a deck of cards from her bag, then stood up. Crystal followed her into the entertainment room, where the rest of her roommates and a few other people were. She smiled and greeted them. They all got settled, and first started playing poker, gin, and a few other card games.
Crystal looked at her group of new friends. They were all really nice, even though at first it had seemed like Gina didn't like her. But she was suspicious with all new people. Anyhow, Crystal had formed a bond with them, and she was going to be sad to go.
After they had finished playing, it was close to ten. Crystal was really tired, but she was also excited so she knew it would take her a while to fall asleep. She still went into her room with the other girls, and they all got ready for bed. Soon, they were all settled into their beds.
"I'm really going to miss you, Crystal. You're the first one that I know of that gets out of here to go to college," Molly spoke up.
"I'm going to miss you guys, too. It's been awesome rooming with you guys," she admitted, turning on her side to face the other bunk bed.
"You won't forget about us, will you?" Rebecca asked.
"Of course not! It's amazing how we became friends so fast, but hey, it was easy since you guys were so nice to me and welcomed me," Crystal replied.
"I know I was a little suspicious of you at first, Crystal, but I'm always wary of newcomers, until I know what they're about," Gina stated.
"I know, Gina." Crystal sighed. "I never understand how life can be so different between one person and the next you know? I'm sorry to get all philosophical on you guys, but I always wonder about that. I mean, why is it that you can be so miserably unhappy and yet your neighbor is the most happy go lucky person you know? You guys understand what I'm saying?"
"Um, yeah, but you're getting way too deep for me!" Molly retorted, laughing. Crystal laughed.
"I know, I know. It just baffles me how life can be so great for some, and so horrible for the rest, you know?"
"Hey, I know I'm not the most fortunate person on this planet, but I've got friends, and life, and my youth for now. You gotta enjoy what you can when you can," Rebecca replied.
"I guess you're right. I'm going to try to make the best of my situation once I'm out in the world on my own. It's going to be weird not to have my parents in my life anymore," Crystal admitted, quietly.
"Hey, you'll have Nick there for you, right? You guys have each other. The one time he came here to visit you, he just seemed like the sweetest guy I've ever met. Don't ever let him go," Gina warned.
"I won't. He really is a great guy. He understands me, and puts up with me, and that's a lot to ask of a person," Crystal stated.
"Well, I wish you the best in your life, Crystal. Even though our paths may not cross again, I'll be thinking about you, and hoping everything turns out well for you," Molly said.
"Aww, thank you. I'll be doing the same. You guys are awesome," Crystal replied.
"This is such a group hug moment!" Rebecca replied, smiling.
"Well there's no way I'm getting out of bed," Gina replied.
"Me either. I'm too comfortable," Molly replied, laughing.
"Aww, guys!" Rebecca said, laughing. Crystal smiled. She was so glad to have these girls in her life, but tomorrow she would start a new life without them, and without any other person in her life, except for Nick. She was scared and excited about what the future held, but she was ready to face it.
The following morning, she woke up early and took a quick shower, then got dressed. She called a cab, and then finished packing away the rest of her toiletries and clothes. The girls woke up when she finished zippering up her bag.
"You leaving now?" Molly inquired, rubbing her eyes.
"Yeah, I'm going to head to the front. The cab should be here any minute," she told them.
"Aww, Crystal!" Rebecca said. They all got out of their bed and huddled around Crystal.
"I know we already said it a million times, but we're gonna miss you!" Gina said.
"I know! I'll miss you guys so much, too. I'll call you guys," Crystal replied.
"You better!" Rebecca said, smiling.
"Come on, group hug!" They all hugged each other, hard. Crystal felt tears prickling behind her eyes. She willed them away. She didn't want to get emotional now. Once she let go, there really was no stopping her. She pulled away.
"All right guys. I'll talk to you guys soon. I'll call you guys once I get settled in," Crystal told them. They nodded.
"Bye, guys," Crystal said, smiling tremulously.
"Bye, Crystal," the trio said, simultaneously. Crystal gave them one last smile, then grabbed her bag, lugging it out of the room, and down the hall into the front office.
"All ready?" Cindy asked. Crystal nodded.
"All right, just sign these here, and you'll be ready to go," Cindy replied, smiling. Crystal signed the papers that Cindy gave her, then gave it back to her.
"That's it?" Crystal asked.
"Yeah, that's it. I hope you the best in your life, Crystal. You deserve it," Cindy told her. She stood up, and gave her a quick hug.
"Thanks, Cindy. Thanks for everything," she replied, smiling. She picked up her bag again, and walked out of the office. When she walked outside, the cab was already idling by the corner. She walked up to it, and the cab driver helped her put her bag in the trunk. Soon, she was settled in the back of the cab.
"Where to, miss?" the cabbie asked. Crystal told him Nick's address. They pulled out into traffic, and Crystal closed her eyes.
Once they had reached Nick's house, she saw Nick waiting outside with his luggage. She saw his mom, and his siblings waiting out there with him. His father was nowhere to be found. Crystal figured that he wouldn't be around to see Nick off. She saw Nick hug his mother and siblings. Then, he grabbed his luggage and walked towards the cab. The cabbie helped Nick put his bags in the trunk, then he joined her in the back seat.
"Hey," he greeted, smiling.
"Hi," she replied.
"You ready for this?" he asked.
"More than ever," she told him. "To the train station, please," Crystal told the cabbie.
They got to the university faster than Crystal thought. They got on the shuttle bus that went from the train station to the university. They were the only ones on it. Soon, they arrived at the university. They registered, and after they gave them their room numbers and keys, they separated to go put their stuff away. They decided to meet back at the registration building after they were all done getting settled in.
When Crystal got into her room, she wasn't overly impressed, but it was clean and the bed wasn't too uncomfortable when she sat down on it. Then, she started putting away all her clothes and things. She finally finished an hour later getting everything situated. She walked back to the registration building, and Nick was already waiting for her. She smiled when she walked up to him. He put his arm around her, and they started walking along the path. The campus was beautiful, and pretty much deserted, except for the occasional student who was also working for the summer.
They walked around the grounds until they came to a really nice tree. They decided to sit underneath it, and they sat down, looking at the beautiful sunset. Nick put his arm around her, drawing her closer to him. She put her head on his shoulder.
"You think things are going to be okay?" she asked, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
"Of course they will be, Crystal. Things will be awesome. We're going to be happy, no matter what, okay? We've moved past our old lives, and now we're here together, ready to make a fresh start. Things will be awesome," he repeated, assuring her. She sighed and nodded. She felt this weird feeling inside of her. Something she hadn't felt in a long time. She tried to decipher the feeling, since it felt so strange inside of her. Finally, she realized what the feeling was. It was hope.
THE END