Max-

The familiar sounds of Brooklyn greet us as we pull into the driveway of Elio family’s brownstone. The rusted fire escape, the faint sounds of sirens in the distance, and the aroma of street food wafting through the air create a comforting yet chaotic backdrop that feels like home. After weeks on the road, the sight of my neighborhood brings a mix of relief and nostalgia.

As we step out of the van, affectionately dubbed “The Beast,” I take a moment to soak it all in. The sun is setting, casting a warm orange glow over the rooftops. “I can’t believe our road trip is over,” I say, glancing over at Elio.

He smiles, but I can see a flicker of something more serious behind his bright eyes. “Yeah, it feels surreal,” he replies, his hands stuffed deep into the pockets of my hoodie, which still looks oversized and comfy on him. “But it’s nice to be home, too.”

“Definitely,” I agree, starting to unload our bags. “We had some incredible adventures, though.”

“I know! And all those roadside diners!” Elio chuckles, his face lighting up with memories. “We have to find a way to relive those moments. They were too good to forget.”

As we haul the last of our bags inside, the scent of my mom’s cooking wafts through the air, and I feel a wave of comfort wash over me. “ Your mom’s cooking is definitely one of the perks of being back,” I say, grinning at Elio.

“Agreed! But first, we need to talk,” he says suddenly, the playful light in his eyes dimming a bit.

“Talk? About what?” I ask, trying to read his expression.

“About college,” he says, taking a deep breath as if preparing for a big leap. “We really need to talk about it.”

My heart sinks slightly, knowing this was coming but not quite ready for the conversation. “Right. I guess it’s time, huh?”

Elio nods, looking more serious than I’ve ever seen him. “I mean, we’re both starting a new chapter soon. I’m heading to Massachusetts, and you…well, you’ve got your plans too, right?”

“Yeah, I’m staying in New York,” I reply, trying to sound casual about it, but I can feel the weight of the subject looming over us. “But you’re right, we need to figure this out.”

He takes a seat on the couch, and I join him, feeling a sense of unease creep in. “So, how do you feel about it?” I ask.

Elio fidgets with the hem of my hoodie, his gaze distant. “I don’t know. I’m excited about going to college in Massachusetts, but… at the same time, it’s scary. I mean, we’ve spent all summer together, and now I’ll be hours away.”

“I get it,” I say, feeling the knot in my stomach tighten. “But you’re going to have an amazing experience. And we’ll still make it work, right?”

He looks at me, and there’s a mixture of hope and uncertainty in his expression. “Yeah, but how? With the distance, it’s going to be tough.”

I nod, knowing he’s right. “It will be tough. But I think we can figure it out together. We’ve made it through the summer. That has to count for something, right?”

“Definitely,” he says, a hint of a smile returning. “But it’s not just about distance. It’s about what happens when we’re both trying to adjust to this new life. What if we end up drifting apart?”

“Hey, let’s not go there just yet,” I say, reaching for his hand. “I don’t want to throw it away just because we’re going to different schools.”

He squeezes my hand, his grip firm but reassuring. “You’re right. I just need to hear you say it, I guess. That you’re willing to put in the effort.”

“Of course I am!” I say, feeling a surge of determination. “We’re worth the effort, Elio. We can make plans to visit each other, Skype, text, whatever it takes. We’ve got this.”

Elio nods, his eyes softening. “I really hope so. It’s just… new. And scary.”

“I know. But we’ve always been a team, right?” I say, my voice steady. “We can tackle anything together. Even college.”

A small smile breaks out on his face. “I like the sound of that. I want us to be a team, even when we’re apart.”

“Always,” I reply, feeling the warmth of his hand in mine. “Besides, think of all the stories we’ll have to share! You’ll be in Massachusetts, and I’ll be here, and we can swap tales about our lives on campus.”

Elio chuckles softly, the tension easing a bit. “Okay, that sounds fun. I can’t wait to hear your stories.”

“And I want to hear about your adventures in Massachusetts,” I say, a smile spreading across my face. “You’ll have to keep me updated on all the cute boys at your college.”

Elio rolls his eyes, but there’s a hint of laughter in his voice. “You know you’re the only one I’m interested in.”

“Good answer,” I say, grinning. “Now, let’s just promise we won’t let anything come between us. I don’t want to lose you, Elio.”

“You won’t lose me,” he promises, his voice earnest. “We’ll make this work. I believe in us.”

“Me too,” I say, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. “Now, let’s grab some food and celebrate our homecoming before we get too deep into all this college talk.”

Elio chuckles, the tension fully dissipated. “That sounds like a plan.”

Elio-

The soft hum of my mom’s favorite radio station fills the room as I sit on my bed, surrounded by an explosion of clothes, notebooks, and various random items that I can’t seem to figure out how to organize. It’s a chaotic mess, but I can’t help but feel a swell of excitement every time I glance at the pile of stuff that signifies my impending journey to Massachusetts.

Mom is sitting cross-legged on the floor, folding a few of my shirts with her expert hands, making everything look effortless. I watch her for a moment, mesmerized by how she manages to take the chaos of my life and make it seem so manageable.

“Do you really think I need to take this many T-shirts?” I ask, pulling a faded one from the pile that has seen better days.

“Absolutely! You can’t wear the same shirt every day, can you?” she replies, a teasing smile on her lips. “Plus, you’ll make new friends, and you’ll want to have options.”

I chuckle, folding the shirt back and tossing it into the growing pile. “Alright, but if I end up with too many shirts, it’s your fault!”

She laughs, and the sound is comforting. “If that’s the biggest problem you have in college, you’ll be just fine, Elio.”

I bite my lip, looking down at my cluttered floor. “Speaking of problems… can I ask you something?”

“Of course. What’s on your mind?”

I hesitate, the weight of my question pressing down on me. “Are you and Dad okay with me going to college in Massachusetts? I mean… it’s kind of far away.”

Mom’s smile fades slightly, and I can see the wheels turning in her mind. She pauses, folding the last shirt, and takes a deep breath. “Honey, we’re proud of you. This is an amazing opportunity for you, and you deserve to follow your dreams. But… it’s normal for us to have mixed feelings.”

“Mixed feelings?” I ask, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach.

She nods, looking thoughtful. “Yes. It’s exciting to see you grow up and take these steps towards independence. But as your mom, it’s hard not to worry. I’ll miss you, Elio. A lot.”

“I’ll miss you too,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “But it’s not like I’m disappearing. We can still call and video chat, right?”

“Of course! And we’ll come visit. Your dad and I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” she assures me, her eyes sparkling with love. “I just want you to know that you can always come home whenever you need to.”

“That’s good to hear,” I reply, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. “I just want you both to be okay with this whole thing.”

She reaches for my hand, squeezing it gently. “We’re proud of you for making this choice, Elio. You’re ready for this. You’ll make friends, you’ll have fun, and you’ll learn so much. But know that it’s okay to feel a little scared, too. Change is hard, even for parents.”

I nod, absorbing her words. “I guess I am scared. I mean, what if I don’t fit in? What if I don’t like it there?”

“Those feelings are completely valid,” she replies softly. “But remember, everyone else is just as nervous. College is a fresh start for everyone. You’ll find your place, I promise.”

I take a deep breath, feeling a little more confident. “You’re right. I just need to keep reminding myself that it’s all part of growing up.”

“Yes! And you’re not alone in this,” she says, her voice warm. “You have Max, and you have us. You have a support system that loves you.”

“Thanks, Mom,” I say, feeling a lump in my throat. “You always know what to say to make me feel better.”

She smiles, and I see the sparkle in her eyes again. “It’s my job! Now, how about we finish packing? I think you might need a few more sweatshirts.”

“Fine, but I’m definitely not taking that bright yellow one,” I laugh, shaking my head at the thought.

“Oh, come on! It’ll be perfect for your first week of classes!” she jokes, picking up the bright yellow sweatshirt from the pile and holding it up like a trophy.

“Mom!” I protest, laughing. “You’re going to embarrass me!”

“Just wait until you see how many compliments you get! Everyone will want to be your friend because of that sweater,” she teases, tossing it back into the pile.

I can’t help but chuckle, the earlier tension slipping away. “Alright, you win. But I’m packing it way at the bottom.”

The morning sun casts long, golden streaks across the Brooklyn street as we stand in front of the brownstone, surrounded by two fully packed cars. My parents' car is crammed with boxes of clothes, books, and the essentials I’ll need for the move to Massachusetts. My own beat-up sedan, which I’ve had since junior year, is filled with the rest—mostly random stuff like posters, bedding, and whatever else I couldn’t fit into their car. It’s surreal seeing my life packed into these two vehicles.

My mom’s bustling around, double-checking everything, while my dad stands by the driver’s side, looking slightly dazed, his arms crossed. I know this whole thing is hitting them hard. It’s not just the end of summer—it’s the start of me leaving home.

“Mom, I think you’ve checked that box three times now,” I say with a laugh, watching her rummage through a crate marked Books. “We’re not leaving anything behind.”

She straightens up, wiping her hands on her jeans, smiling sheepishly. “I know, I know. I just want to make sure you have everything you need. It’s a long drive, and I’d hate for you to get there and realize we left something important.”

“We’ll be fine, Francesca,” Dad says softly, giving her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. “Elio’s going to college, not Mars.”

“Barely a difference,” she mutters, but there’s a smile tugging at her lips.

I chuckle, leaning against the car. I’ve been anxious all morning—nervous about this huge step, about leaving behind the only home I’ve ever known. But the way my parents are handling it, with their own quiet worry, makes it feel more manageable. Almost like I’m not doing this alone.

Just then, I hear the familiar rumble of “The Beast”—Max’s family van—pulling up to the curb. The sight of it makes my heart lurch, because if there’s one thing I’ve been dreading more than anything, it’s saying goodbye to Max.

The van stops, and Max hops out first, his mom and dad following. Linda and David Foster always look so put together, with their easy smiles and matching sunglasses. Max looks at me, and even though there’s a smile on his face, I can see the emotion behind his eyes.

“Thought we’d catch you before you hit the road,” Max says, walking up to me and giving me a playful shove.

I smile, trying to keep it light. “Well, you’re just in time. My mom’s about to check the boxes for the fourth time.”

Linda laughs, stepping forward to give me a tight hug. “You’re going to do great in Massachusetts, Elio. We’ll miss having you around, but I’m sure Max will be glued to his phone, checking in on you.”

I glance at Max, who rolls his eyes but grins. “Probably true,” he admits. “You know me.”

Max’s dad, David, claps me on the shoulder, his usual warm smile on his face. “Drive safe, alright? And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

“Thanks, Mr. Foster,” I reply.

After the hugs and well-wishes from his parents, I’m left standing with Max, who’s suddenly a lot quieter than usual. He shoves his hands into his pockets and looks down at the ground before meeting my eyes. “So, this is really happening, huh?”

“Yeah,” I say, my voice softer than I intended. “I guess it is.”

The air between us feels heavy, like there’s so much left unsaid, but neither of us wants to bring the weight of it crashing down. Instead, we just stand there for a moment, the street noises fading away, as if it’s just the two of us in this small bubble of time.

“I hate goodbyes,” Max mutters, shifting closer to me. “Feels like we’re pausing everything.”

“We’re not pausing,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. “We’re just… shifting.”

He gives a small smile at that, but I can see how much this is affecting him. “Still, not seeing you every day is going to suck. Big time.”

I nod, feeling the knot in my chest tighten. “Yeah, it is. But we’ll visit each other, and call… and I’ll be back before you know it.”

Max nods, but his eyes are glassy. “Just promise me you won’t get too busy up there in Massachusetts and forget about Brooklyn… or me.”

“I could never,” I whisper, stepping forward and wrapping my arms around him. He pulls me in tightly, and for a moment, it’s just us, wrapped in this bittersweet embrace.

His voice is quiet in my ear. “I love you, Elio.”

“I love you too, Max,” I say, my chest tightening even more as I realize how final this feels. “And I’ll miss you every day.”

We pull back slightly, our foreheads resting together, and I can see that neither of us is ready for this. But then I hear the sound of my mom clearing her throat softly from behind us, reminding me that time is ticking.

“We should probably get on the road soon, Elio,” she says gently, her eyes filled with understanding. “It’s a long drive.”

I nod, pulling back fully from Max, but I keep my hand in his for just a little longer. “Guess this is it.”

Max swallows hard, blinking away whatever emotion is threatening to spill out. “For now,” he says, squeezing my hand. “But I’ll see you soon.”

“Yeah,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. “Soon.”

As I step back and make my way toward the car, I glance over my shoulder one last time. Max stands there, his hands back in his pockets, watching me go with a sad smile. My heart feels heavy, but I know this isn’t goodbye forever. Just for now.

With one final wave, I climb into the driver’s seat of my car, my parents already in theirs, and the engine hums to life. The packed cars feel like they’re bursting with possibilities, but as I pull away from the curb, I can’t help but feel like I’m leaving a piece of myself behind.

The streets of Brooklyn blur past, and I grip the wheel a little tighter, the future stretching out ahead of me—unknown, exciting, and terrifying all at once.

Max disappears from my rearview mirror, but his words linger with me as we head toward Massachusetts.