We met Mary and Grace at the airport in France. Nelly and Mary were going to go to Italy for a while before they joined Grace in Peru. Jake and I were going to go to Russia then South Korean then maybe the Bahamas. Nelly and I had to part ways again.

“Why don’t you just come with us to Italy then you can go to the Bahamas?” Nelly said before we parted ways.

“Or just go to the Bahamas then join us in Peru?” Mary added. Jake and I just shook our heads. As much as I was going to miss my brother I thought it was about time I let him live his life while I lived mine.

“We’ll come and visit you sometimes.” Jake said. We all said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. As the plane took off I looked out the window. Jake lightly squeezed my hand. “They’ll be fine.”

“I’m worried about me.” I gave him my famous sad smile. “Will I be fine without him? The last time I did this it ended so badly.”

“But this time you have me by your side.” Jake kissed my forehead. I laid my head on his shoulder and drifted to sleep.

***

Russia was cold. The only thing I liked about it was that Jake and I would cuddle in the blanket at anytime of the day, reading our own books or sometimes the same book. We were staying in one of Jake’s mother’s off the grid houses that had a huge library. When Jake and I weren’t reading we were outside making snow angels or having snowball fights.

Nelly and Mary called from Italy and said that they were enjoying the weather. They were clearly two people who were in love and in that moment in time I was glad that I didn’t go with them. They look as if all they did was have sex with each other all the time.

“Have you talked to Grace?” Jake asked as we packed our bags for our trip to South Korea.

“Yeah, she had some Peruvian guy wound tightly around her finger. Apparently he’s extremely rich. I saw a picture and he was kind of good looking.” I sat down on the edge of the bed, Jake on the other side.

“Kind of?” Jake asked, leaning over to gently brush his lips on mine.

“Okay, very good looking.” He laughed and pulled back.

“What about your brother?”

“I think he and Mary are too busy consummating like bunnies to go to Peru, but it’s not like Grace needs their company.” Jake nodded his head.

“Where do you want to go after the Bahamas?”

“Let’s just travel the world. Then maybe you can get a job some where while I become a house husband.” This made Jake laugh a lot.

“Hold your horses, Nelu.” Jake said when he had managed to calm down. “Don’t jump the gun, babe. You are after all only seventeen.”

“Turning eighteen.” I said putting the bag on the floor. I leaned close to him and kissed him.

“Turning eighteen.” He repeated as he kissed me again.

“Have I ever told you how much I love it we you say my name?” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Say it for me. Call my name.”

“Oh god, Nelu.”