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The whole trip was spent with Stella showing me around Virginia. It was beautiful here, hot, but worth it. Winston also spent time with us, I didn't mind that. We went swimming a lot because Stella had taken the whole week off work. I was so happy too be spending time with them. I called Max every night and told him I loved him, he seemed to be doing fine. Life was all fine.

On the last day Stella was driving me back to Richmond before the sun had even came up. "I hope you had a good time." She said as we drove through the countryside.

"Of course I did, it was fun." I said. We stopped and got breakfast at Ihop.

"Remember when we were little and we used to walk to that Ihop down the road?" She asked, "Before it closes down?"

"I do." I said. We ate pancakes and watched the sun rise out the window. "We'd better get going." I said. I had an early morning flight and I definitely didn't want to miss that. We drove the rest of the way to the airport in silence. When we got there she got out of the car and hugged me.

"I'm going too miss you so much." She said hugging me tightly. "I love you so much Wynter. Come back and visit sometime."

I hugged her back. "I love you too Stella." I said kissing her on the cheek. We said our goodbyes and then I went through airport security and sat down in the terminal. I looked at the time, seven forty-five. It was only five at home so I figured I wouldn't call my friends.

Instead I waited and mentally prepared myself for the long flight. I was flying all the way to Texas then I had a three hour layover before flying home. I was supposed to get home sometime around noon, Las Vegas time.

I sighed softly and I waited for them to start calling us to board our plane. I looked out the window at Virginia. It was beautiful here, I was sure going to miss it.

＊＊＊

When we landed in Texas I couldn't be more relieved. I walked out into the Dallas airport and smiled, it was a nice airport. I got out my phone and called Max, it rang and rang, then went to voice mail. Weird, maybe he was still asleep. I called Isabel instead.

"Hey Wynter! Are you still in Richmond?" She asked me.

"No, I'm in Texas now. My flight doesn't leave for three hours though." I said as I walked around the airport.

"So when are you getting in? Sometime around noon?" She asked me.

"About twelve thirty. We should go get lunch when I get back, I'll be hungry." I said laughing.

"Of course we can." Said Isabel laughing.

"Have you talked to Max today?" I asked her.

"No, but it's only eight forty here so he's probably still asleep." She said.

"Oh yeah, I forgot about the time change." I said smiling, "I can't wait to see you guys."

"I can't wait to see you either." She said laughing.

"My phones gonna die so I guess I'll see you when I get back." I said. My phone charger was in my checked bag. I guess that wasn't the best planned idea.

"Yeah, I'll see you later. Bye Wynter."

"Bye Isabel." I said then I hung up. A few minutes later my phone died and j was bored. I walked around the airport and just looked at things. I still had an hour left too kill. I bought a smoothie and then went back to the terminal and sat down. Texas was not as pretty as Virginia.

I couldn't wait to get home. I missed everyone, mostly Max, but everyone else too. I couldn't wait to get home too see if I got accepted into any colleges either. I hoped I got Virginia because it was so beautiful. Oregon would be nice too though.

Eventually we boarded the plane and took off. I felt sick too my stomach the whole ride home. I'm sure it had something to do with the 'minor turbulence' we kept hitting. I don't think I'd ever been happier to be back on the ground. I was happy too be back in a place that knew and recognized.

I went and got my bags then walked out the front door into the hot, dry, Nevada air. I smiled as I breathed it all in. It would be a good day to go swimming. I walked through the pick up area looking for Isabel's car. Then I saw it and I walked over when I got close Isabel jumped out of the front seat and hugged me.

"Isabel!" I said hugging her back and smiling. She pulled away and looked at me, here eyes were red from crying. "Isabel..." I said, "What's wrong?"

Summer got out of the back of the car followed by Brad. "It's Max." Said Summer softly.

"What about him?" I asked. I quickly felt panic rise up inside of me.

"He killed himself." Said Isabel. Her voice seemed so distant, so un-Isabel like. Then I realized what she had said. I felt an emptiness over come me.

"What?" I squeaked. My voice sounded so small and insignificant. It didn't even sound like it was coming out of me. I felt my heart shatter inside of me and tears filled my eyes as I hugged Isabel. She hugged me back and we cried.

"Come on guys... We should get home." Said Summer softly. We all got in the car and drove home and all I could think is why? What had happened? Was it my fault for leaving? Isabel dropped me off at Max's old house. I guess it wasn't exactly his anymore since he wasn't here.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" Isabel asked me. I shook my head. "I love you Wynter."

"You too..." I said. I grabbed my bag and walked up to the front door. I went inside and was greeted by Maggie hugging me.

"Wynter." He said crying. I hugged her back and cried too. I felt empty and alone.

"This is all my fault." Said Morgan. She was lying on the couch with tear streaked cheeks and red eyes. "Why did I tell him I was getting a divorce when his best friend was gone. I'm such an idiot." She said crying harder. Everything was so sad and uncomfortable. I couldn't believe it.

Mr. Jones walked over and handed me and envelope with my name written in Max's handwriting. "For you." He said. I started crying again, then just went upstairs. I opened the envelope with shaky hands.

Dear Wynter,

I know you probably hate me, but it was the only thing I knew too do. I love you so much Wynter, more than anything. Thank you so much for being there for me all those years. I'm sorry it had to end like this, I really am. I just can't get out of my blue funk. Not matter how hard I try it comes back. I wish I could hold you one more time, kiss you again. You have to understand that I couldn't wait any longer. I hope you'll forgive me.

With all my love forever,

Max

My throat felt dry as I read it again. Just like that it was over. Max was gone. Maximilian Jones was dead. I felt dead. The world was dark, empty, lifeless. I missed Max already, and I knew it would just get worse.

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