by Cole Gibsen
I grinned. “It’s a gift.”
He laughed. “Well, I just want you and the others to know there will always be a spot for you in the Network.”
“Thanks, but don’t hold your breath.”
He frowned. “But you’re samurai. What else are you going to do with your lives?”
“I’m not really sure … ” I shrugged. “I think it will be fun to figure out.” Before he could argue, I threw my arms around him and squeezed. “Take care of my mom.”
He made a startled noise, but when I made no move to let go, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and squeezed back.
He said nothing when I pulled away, only stared at me with his mouth slack.
“Take care.” I turned away from him, threw the door to the condo open, and rushed into the stairwell. I practically leapt down the stairs until I reached the ground floor. When I emerged in the lobby, I immediately spotted Kim outside standing in front of a taxi van.
I ran through the doors, laughing as Kim picked me up and spun me around.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered against my ear.
I leaned back so I could stare into his dark eyes. “It’s been what? Not even twenty-four hours?”
“Too long.” He pressed me against his chest, burying his face into my neck.
“Guys!”
I turned and spotted Quentin leaning over the driver in the front seat. “Save the huggy-kissy for later. We’re late.”
The side door of the minivan slid open and Drew, Michelle, and Braden waved to me from the backseat.
Kim gave me a devious look. “It’s not too late for us to make a run for it. We could disappear, just the two of us.”
I swatted him. “You know as well as I do we’re all stuck together for life.”
He gave a dramatic sigh. “That I do.” He carried me to the van, depositing me on the sidewalk so I could climb inside. I settled into the middle seat and Kim climbed in beside me.
Braden leaned forward, resting his arms on the back of our seats. “So what are we going to do first when we get there?”
Kim smiled and stretched an arm around my shoulder. “Whatever we want. That’s the point.”
“I’m so excited!” Michelle drummed her fingers against her knees. “I can’t believe we’re finally going back to Japan. I wonder how different it will be—if there will be anything left to remind us of home.”
Drew said nothing. He only bobbed his head along to whatever he was listening to on his iPod.
“It doesn’t matter.” Kim shook his head. “Japan’s not home for us anymore—and neither is St. Louis.”
I looked at him. “So where exactly is home then?”
The van lurched into traffic, jostling our bodies together.
He smiled. “Anywhere we’re all together.”
Smiling, I settled my head in the curve of his neck and watched the passing buildings as we made our way to the airport. He was right.
We were finally home.
Photo by Kyle Weber
About the Author
When Cole Gibsen isn’t writing she can be found shaking her booty in a zumba class, picking off her nail polish, or drinking straight from the jug (when no one is looking). Cole currently resides in the Greater St. Louis area with her husband, daughter, and one very cranky border collie.
