*Hannah’s POV (Afternoon, Friday May 8th)

I am so excited!! Today is the day when Em and I pack up our things in New York, Mac and Susan do the same in LA, and we all go home to Chicago and reunite with Sam. “Well, it’s time to say goodbye to our room.” Emily says looking around our empty room. “Yeah it was an awesome second year, first for you. But next year, we’ll get an even better one. Now let’s hit the road! The taxi won’t wait forever!” I say running down the hallway. “All right calm down, let’s go.” she says chuckling.

After we take the taxi to the airport and our flight is over, we sit and wait for Mac and Susan since they’re supposed to be getting in at the same airport. What feels like a day later, we hear that the flight from Los Angeles has just landed. Ten minutes later we see the girls come through the gate and we all scream and run to each other hugging. “Ready to go to our baby?” Em asks us. “More than ready, it’s been too long!” Mac says. I text my mom that we’re all at the airport and twenty minutes later she’s there to pick us up with all our bags and take us to Sam’s.

We go into Sam’s apartment building and go to her room. Susan knocks on the door and when Sam opens the door she sees all of us and her eyes and smile become so much wider. We all scream and tackle her in a big group hug. After the craziness, we all sit down and chat. “I’m so happy that I get to see you all for a few days before you leave again.” Sam says. “We’re glad we get to see you too, and each other. I mean Hannah and I have lived together for the past nine months for school.” Em says.

“Yeah and Suz and I have lived together for that long at school too. But all five of us haven’t been together since spring break!” Mac says. “It’s kind of funny. Now it’s Kenz and Emily staying in the US in LA and NYC, and Han and I in Europe.” Susan says. “So how’s the job hunting going?” I ask.

“I’ve interviewed to be a waitress at Applebee’s and a salesgirl at Hollister so far. I find out about both of them sometime this week. I think both places liked me.” she says. “That’s great! It would be nice if there was a way for you to have both jobs and therefore, two paychecks twice a month.” Em says.

“Tell me about it! Fingers crossed. So how long are all of you in town?” Sam asks. “We all asked each other on the way here and it just so happens that we all have to leave on Monday.” I say. “Wow…so you’ll be here for only two full days?” Sam asks sadly. “Yeah, but don’t worry, my parents are prepared to take you in whenever you’re ready, if you need a home.” Susan says with a small smile.

“Really?! That’s awesome! Thank you, Susan. It means a lot to me. Especially considering everything you’ve done for me in the last year.” Sam says getting a little teary. “All right no more tears, let’s go out and have some fun!” Mac says.

We all agree and head out in Sam’s car to go out to eat at Applebee’s of all places. It’s the same one Sam interviewed at. We get there and sit down ordering our drinks. After a little while, a group of people who look like a theatre cast walk in talking loudly. Typical theatre people; I would know. I’m used to those types. After a little bit, I notice one of them checking out Sam. The guy walks over to our table and I prepare to fend him off.

“Hey, baby. What’s your name?” the sleaze ball asks her. Being the naïve person she is, she tells him and he asks her if he can give her a good time but before Sam can answer, another guy with striking blue eyes and a British accent comes to the table. “Hey leave her alone. Stop being such a creep, man!” The guy goes back to their table and the blue eyed one tells Sam, “Hey I’m sorry if he was bothering you.” “Oh it’s okay. But thanks for subtly warning me that he’s a creep.” she says jokingly. It’s at this point that I know where I know this guy from.

“Hey! You’re an actor, right? You’re playing Danny Zuko in the Broadway in Chicago production of Grease?” I ask. “Yeah! How did you know?” he asks me surprised. “I’m an actor and I’m majoring in acting in college so I’m up on what’s going on in the theatre world, especially here since this is my hometown.” “Oh that makes sense. But yeah you’re right. I’m Louis Tomlinson. What are your names?” he asks us.

We tell him and he says to Sam, “Well Sammie if that guy ever tries to bother you again, let me know. I’ll get him off your back.” “Thanks, Louis. I’ll see you around!” she says smiling. “See ya. Bye, ladies!” he says before returning to his table. “Well look at that, Sammie. You’ve made a new friend!” Em says. “Yeah, he seems really nice.” Sam says. The rest of the night is spent at Applebee’s and then we all have a sleepover at Sam’s place staying up late and watching movies.

Two Days Later (Monday, May 11th)…

The past two days, it’s only been the five of us helping each other pack for our trips. It was fun but sad at the same time. It was great to spend all that time together, but it’s so sad to see it end. We know that while Susan and I are in Europe it will be harder for us to keep in touch, but maybe it won’t be as bad as we’re thinking. It’s the morning that we’re all leaving. Sam is driving us all to the airport. The ride there is fairly silent and somber feeling. I mean we did only get two days of being reunited and now we’re gonna be apart for months again.

We get there and park, then we all go through security and walk to the LA and NYC gates first. Those flights board before London and Paris. We arrive at the gates and we all look at each other with tears in our eyes. We all hug Mackenzie and Emily, me hugging Em last and then Susan hugging Mac last.

“Keep in touch as often as you can, okay? We’ll miss you so much.” Sam says. The girls nod and moments later the flights are called to board. We wave good bye to two of our best friends as they head off to LA and the big apple. We still have time before mine and Susan’s flights so we decide to watch the planes take off.

Then Susan and I walk to the London and Paris gates with Sam. The gates are adjacent from each other so we stand between the two wondering which would be called first. Susan’s to Paris is first and so we both hug her and we both cry a little before she boards. Then a minute or so after, London is called. It’s probably because I’m the only one left, but when Sam hugs me goodbye, she sobs into my shoulder. She quickly stops herself because she knows I have to go.

“Have lots of fun in London, okay? Try not to worry about me. Hopefully I can get one or both of those jobs and keep my place.” she says. “I’ll try. Maybe if you work at Applebee’s you’ll see Louis again.” I say with a wink. She laughs and we say our final goodbye before I board my flight. I get on the plane, find my seat, and make myself comfortable for the long flight ahead. I don’t know what’s waiting for me in London, but I feel like this trip is gonna steer my life in a great new direction.

Notes