Valencia!

Nine

The following two months my and Tylon's families helped us fill out our requests for pack leave.

Mine was accepted right away, Tylon's was denied 3 times until my father intervened, then it was accepted as well.

I have a feeling it had something to do with Maximus not wanting Ty and I to leave together.

“Have you finished packing?” Griffin asks leaning against the door frame to my room. “Almost.” I tell him with a plastered smile.

“I’m gonna miss you.” he tells me, and I get up from the floor and move to give him a hug “I’m gonna miss you too.” I tell him honestly “but I’ll be back to visit sometimes.” I tell him and he laughs “I think I’d rather go visit you, I can see the epic college parties now.” He smirks and I slap his shoulder playfully.

“Are you almost ready Sweetheart?” my mom says walking up from behind Griffin “your dad is waiting for me to give the word and he’ll come get your bags.” she explains

“Yes I just finished.” I tell her and she walks back down stairs. “Hey, I’m really glad to see you smile again Valen.” Griffen tells me and I give him a halfhearted look “honestly it still hurts . . . a lot, but dad said it will get better every day.” I tell him and he just nods

“Come on let me grab some bags and walk you to the car.” he smiles

It was a five-hour drive to the apartment that my dad rented for me and Ty. It was a nice little 2-bedroom apartment that overlooked union bay.

Ty got a position on the local police force; his experience will help him integrate into the job he wants once we move back home . . . eventually.

It’s taking longer than I’d like for my heart to mend, logically this shouldn’t have affected me this much but I’m glad I don’t have to go through this alone.

“It’s beautiful here.” Ty’s mom says as she walks out onto the balcony. “You doing ok?” she asks, and I nod “I was just feeling a little sick, the pizza here is definitely greasier than it is at home. I tell her and she laughs

“Don’t get homesick already, you have 5 long years before graduation Dr. Isles.” she says with a smile, and I give her a little laugh. “How could I get home sick when I have Ty here with me.” I tell her and she smiles. “Well now that I think of it you two better get a little homesick, I will be expecting you both home for the holidays.” she pushes her shoulder into me then wraps her arm around my shoulders “come on let's go order the boys around some more.” she teases, and I grin.

It takes two days, but we have everything we need and today is my freshman orientation at the college. My mom and Mrs. Sydney are going to attend with me while the boys go hit up the town.

It started with a long and boring speech but afterwards, we got to tour the school. It's both magnificent and grand in both size and academically.

I have no doubt I will get lost a few times before I get my classes down and it makes me a little nervous.

“You alright sweet girl.” my mom comes up beside me and rubs my back “Yeah it's all just a little nerve racking.” I admit with an unsettling feeling in my stomach

“Why don’t we go get something to eat and get a little girl time in.” Mrs. S suggests and that might be just what I need to get rid of this feeling. We go to a cute little Vietnamese restaurant that’s right on campus, and I fill my stomach with a few freshly made, pork pot stickers and it hits the spot.

“So have you . . . you know.” my mom starts, and I look at her confused. Mrs. S picks up where my mom left off. “I think what your mom is trying to ask is if you are sexually active?” she asks with a little chuckle. “Yes that.” my mom says with a grin, and I look at them both a little embarrassed.

“Well to be honest I have done that . . . . . . . . but only once.” I admit and a little blush creeps to my cheeks.

Mrs. S pats my hand lovingly a few times and smiles “it’s ok dear you don’t have to be embarrassed we’re all women here.” she chuckles a little.

“Well, I think you might want to consider going on some kind of birth control.” My mom tells me and sips her tea and Mrs. S nods. “College can be a crazy time” she adds, and I laugh a little

“Should I just go to a primary care Phyician, or do I need to go to a gynecologist for that?” I ask timidly. I feel like this is something I should already know, especially going into the medical field, but I haven't ever really had to look into it.

“How about we find you a doctor while I’m still here and I can go over options with you.” my mom says with a loving smile, and I nod. “I would like that.” I tell her.

We spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the campus and surrounding shops and by the time we make it back to the apartment I am completely exhausted and fall asleep on the couch.

At some point Ty picks me up off the couch and carries me to bed. He pulls the covers over my body, and I hear the door click as he leaves.