my prized possession

CHAPTER 15

The sky was a perfect shade of blue, birds chirping in harmony with the breeze that sang a soft, soothing melody. The sunlight kissed our skin gently, warm and golden, as if blessing the moment. It felt surreal—like something out of a dream. I was lying on the soft grass, my head resting near the heartbeat of the one person who had completely turned my world around. Jackson. My boyfriend. I still wasn’t used to saying that out loud, even in my own head—but it was real. It took me the entire summer to truly accept that title, to stop second-guessing everything and just… feel it.

We spent nearly every day of the summer wrapped in each other’s arms, talking about nothing and everything, sharing quiet moments, and laughing until we couldn’t breathe. It felt like home. Like safety. Like everything I didn’t know I needed. There were kisses, long and lingering, full of emotions too big for words. But he never tried to take it further—not once. He always said, “I want our first time to be in New Jersey. Somewhere special. Not just anywhere.” And just like that, I loved him more. He didn’t want me as a moment. He wanted me as something lasting. And I respected him all the more for it.

Annabella left for Canada after graduation. She said she wanted to get settled before college started. She had family there, and she joined one of their summer programs. I missed her more than I could put into words. Our video calls and voice chats helped, but the time zone difference stole a lot of what we used to have—random late-night talks, spontaneous hangouts, even our laughter felt distant. My best friend felt far away. And even though Jackson was here, and wonderful in every possible way, there was still a hole her absence left behind.

But he tried—God, he tried—to fill the silence. With flowers, ice cream dates, shared playlists, and the way he looked at me like I was the only girl in the world. Somehow, he made everything feel okay, even when nothing was.

And now, summer was ending. The days were shorter, the nights colder. And Jackson had to go—off to college for the fall semester. He held my face in his hands the night before he left, brushed his thumb against my cheek, and promised, “I’ll call you every day. I swear you won’t even miss me.” I nodded, smiled, kissed him—but deep down, I knew he was wrong.

Calls aren’t the same. A voice through a phone can’t compare to a heartbeat beneath your palm, or the way his arms feel like armor around you. I already missed him, and he hadn’t even walked away yet.

But I had to let him go. Even if it shattered me a little.

I hadn’t seen Noah in a while. Part of me wondered how he was doing, where he was, what he thought of everything. But I never brought him up to Jackson. This relationship was still new, still fragile in some ways, and I didn’t want to stir up old doubts or memories. I wanted to give it the chance to be everything it could be—so I kept my thoughts to myself.

Forbes College still hadn’t gotten back to me. I had applied to a few other schools in New York, but the rejections came in like quiet heartbreaks. My mom suggested I apply to the town college as a backup. But I couldn’t. I just… couldn’t. The thought of staying here, in this place full of memories, while everyone I cared about moved on—it would drive me insane. I needed to leave. I needed Forbes to come through. And deep down, I believed it would.

The day before Jackson was set to leave for New Jersey, I decided to dedicate it entirely to us. One last day. One final breath of summer before everything changed.

I went to his house and the housekeeper let me in with a knowing smile. I walked up the familiar staircase and found him sprawled on his bed, flipping through a magazine absentmindedly. When he saw me, a soft, genuine smile lit up his face—one that melted every ounce of nervous energy in me. He pulled me close and kissed me, a kiss that was more than just lips meeting—it was emotion, longing, unspoken promises.

We sank into each other like puzzle pieces finally fitting. His hands found mine, his forehead rested against mine, and time seemed to freeze. Every touch, every whisper, every breath felt like we were trying to memorize each other. We were wrapped in warmth and connection, in something deeper than just attraction.

He kissed my neck, his touch slow, patient. There was reverence in the way he held me—like I was something sacred. The air between us was charged, but not rushed. We knew our time was limited, and we wanted to savor it. Nothing more, nothing less. Just us. Together.

And in that moment, I wasn’t thinking about college or rejection or distance. I was just a girl in love, holding on to a boy who made the world feel right—if only for a while longer.

After the heated, passionate moment between us, we lay in bed wrapped in each other’s arms, the room dimly lit, and the air thick with emotions neither of us dared to speak aloud. Jackson held me close, his fingers tracing idle patterns on my shoulder, and then—almost like a confession, he started to talk.

He told me he and Noah had gotten into a fight in London.

I turned to look at him, surprised. “Why?”

He sighed, his voice low. “My father came to the funeral… he made a scene. Acted like he always does—loud, drunk, inconsiderate. I snapped. I didn’t handle it well. I was so overwhelmed, and then Noah… Noah stepped in. He protected my mom from the embarrassment, calmed everything down like he always does.”

He paused. His voice cracked. “I said some things to him—things I didn’t mean. I was hurting, and I lashed out. He was furious. He stormed out.”

I felt his shoulders tremble as the tears began. It caught me off guard—seeing him so vulnerable, so raw.

I tightened my arms around him and pressed a kiss to his hair. “Don’t cry,” I whispered, trying to keep my own emotions steady. “Noah loves you. Your mom told me once—she said he adores you like a real brother. He’ll forgive you, Jackson. Just give it time.”

He looked up at me, his eyes glassy but hopeful, and gave me a small kiss. “You know,” he said, smiling softly, “Noah’s kind of fond of you too. He’s the one who pushed me to ask you out. He called me a coward.”

That made me laugh gently. “Oh, really? Noah said that?”

I laid back against his chest, thinking for a moment. He did that? I couldn’t help but smile faintly. For some strange reason, I missed Noah. The thought of him stirred something I didn’t quite understand. Get a hold of yourself, Vanessa, I scolded silently. You’re with Jackson. This is what you wanted.

As night fell, reality crept back in—it was time to say goodbye. Jackson was leaving tomorrow for New Jersey. Everything would change after this.

Standing by the door, I held his hand a little tighter than I needed to. “I’m going to miss you,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I’ll call you every day,” he promised, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Every single day. Morning, night… you’ll be sick of me.”

I smiled through the tightness in my chest. “I could never be.”

Then I asked, “Who’s taking you to the airport?”

“My driver,” he replied. “Mom’s flying straight to New Jersey to meet me there. She couldn’t make it back in time, but she’ll be waiting.”

That made it feel even more final. The last chapter of summer was truly closing.

He drove me home, and as we stood by my front door, the silence between us spoke volumes. One last kiss. One last embrace. One last glance.

“Goodbye… for now,” he said.

I nodded, swallowing the ache in my throat. “For now.”

And just like that, he was gone.

As I stepped into the house, my heart felt unbearably heavy. Tears clung stubbornly to the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill. Billy was the first to see me. Without a word, he pulled me into a warm hug. I didn’t resist—it was exactly what I needed.

“You’ll see him again,” he said softly. “But right now, it’s time to focus on your future.”

I nodded. He was right. Jackson would always be part of my life, but my future was waiting—and so was Annabella’s. I dragged myself upstairs and collapsed onto my bed, craving sleep like air. I needed to rest. I needed peace.

The next morning, I was pulled out of sleep by the familiar buzz of my phone. I blinked groggily at the screen—Jackson. My heart jumped.

I answered immediately. “Hey!”

He sounded tired but cheerful. “I’m at the airport. About to board.”

I shot up in bed, startled. “What? Already? What time is it?”

“Ten,” he chuckled.

I gasped. “Oh my God, I overslept!”

He laughed again. “I figured. But I wanted to hear your voice before I flew out.”

“I’m going to miss you so much,” I said, my voice soft, vulnerable. “Don’t replace me with some New Jersey girl, okay?”

“Never,” he said without hesitation. “I wouldn’t dare.”

We both laughed, but inside, I already missed him.

After hanging up, I sat quietly for a moment. The silence of the house sank in.

I eventually dragged myself out of bed and downstairs. It was completely empty. Where was everyone?

Then I spotted a note stuck to the fridge:

Billy – Work.

Chris & Christiana – Summer jobs.

See you later!

The twins were really growing up, and while I was proud, the reality that I’d be leaving soon made the emptiness in the house even louder.

Thinking about my own future made me remember—the mail. I rushed to open my laptop, heart thumping as I refreshed my inbox.

Then I saw it.

Subject: Admission Decision – Forbes College

I clicked it open, and my breath caught in my throat.

Dear Vanessa Parker,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Forbes College to study Computer Programming. Your full tuition has been covered under the full scholarship. Congratulations once again.

I screamed. I actually screamed out loud.

I did it.

I got in.

Tears of joy streamed down my face. Without thinking, I dialed Annabella, not even considering the time difference. She picked up, groggy but alert.

“I GOT IN!” I shouted.

She screamed too. “OH MY GOD! I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!”

We laughed and cried on the phone. “Now,” she said, “you can stop being depressed every five seconds.”

I laughed harder. “You’re not wrong. I’ve missed you so much.”

I wanted to tell Jackson too—but I knew he’d still be in the air. I’d wait.

I couldn’t keep the excitement in. I called my mom next. She was overjoyed. “I’m so proud of you, baby. I’ll be home by the weekend—we’re celebrating, no arguments.”

Even Billy, Chris, and Christiana were thrilled when they got back. I felt like I was floating on a cloud. Everything was finally falling into place.

Later that evening, Jackson called.

“Guess what?” I beamed.

“You got in, didn’t you?” he said, smiling through the phone.

“Yes! Forbes said yes! Full scholarship and everything.”

He was happy for me—though I could sense the bittersweet undertone. “I just wish you were coming to New Jersey,” he admitted quietly.

“We’re in the same country, Jacks,” I reminded him. “It’s not forever. We’ll make it work.”

He didn’t argue. “I know. And I’m proud of you.”

Getting ready to move was a whirlwind. Shopping for essentials, choosing new outfits, packing my life into boxes—it was exhausting. But it also felt… real. Like I was stepping into the next chapter of who I was meant to become.

When we finally arrived in Florida, the warm breeze wrapped around me like a welcome hug. I couldn’t wait to see the beaches.

Forbes was even more beautiful than I imagined. The campus buzzed with life. Students dragging suitcases. Parents giving long, tearful hugs. Laughter echoing in the hallways.

I found my dorm—room 2B. A two-person setup. I was nervous about who I’d be sharing it with, but when I walked in, a girl with long braids and bright brown eyes smiled at me warmly.

“Hey! You must be Vanessa,” she said. “I’m Naomi Vincent—your roommate.”

She was sweet, funny, and instantly easy to talk to. I could already tell we were going to get along great.

As I unpacked my things and arranged my new space, I took a deep breath.

Welcome to college, Vanessa.

This is going to be a blast.