n

n

nAlyssa shrugged, not trying to assume anything, but she didn't know that much about his childhood or his family.

nHe was still pretty mysterious about those things for some reason, but she tried not to pry in case there were sensitive topics he was trying to avoid. She didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

n

"It's just… your car and your apartment… I just thought you came from a rich family,

" she admitted.

nShe hadn't brought this up before, but she supposed she should've expected it to come out eventually. It was hard to ignore when he had such nice things.

nElias nodded after a moment.

n

"My family… does have money. It's been in the family for decades,

" he replied.

"I don't think my parents have someone specific in mind for me, and I wouldn't care if they did. I want you.

"

nA small wave of relief crashed through Alyssa as she listened to him. At least he would choose her no matter what.

nShe didn't want the chance of his parents swaying his opinion on being with her or not.

n

"I want you too. Obviously, my parents don't care who I do or don't date. They just care about what's in my bank account,

" Alyssa smirked with a shake of her head.

nHis parents were too controlling, and her parents didn't care enough. They were on two different ends of the spectrum, but they still understood where they were coming from.

nElias reached out and gently gripped her thigh.

n

"I already can't wait to come back to you,

" he told her.

"We're each other's family.

"

nAlyssa smiled at him as she nodded. She liked that thought. When they couldn't rely on their actual families, they could always turn to each other. They never had to worry about being alone.

n

"Hurry back,

" she told him. She knew that he had no control over the time, but she couldn't wait to be with him again.

nShe wanted to cuddle in his bed or cook breakfast with him again. She wanted to do it all with him because she was tired of being alone.

n

"Of course,

" Elias promised her before starting his car. He had to drop her off at the dorm before driving to his parent's house about an hour away.

nAlyssa held his hand the entire way there. They had a little bit of casual conversation, but the ride back to the dorm was mainly quiet.

nHer eyes stared out of the passenger side window, watching the town streak on by.

nShe wondered where she would go after she was done with this place. She hoped that she got to go somewhere great, and she hoped that Elias was with her.

nObviously, that wouldn't happen for a while because she had so much school left to go through, but it was a nice thought. She wanted big things for herself.

nShe wanted to help people, to grow so much from where her roots were at. She just hoped she was able to do the things in her mind, especially since there were people rooting against her.

nWhen Elias pulled into the empty parking lot of the dorm and parked near the front, they didn't jump to get out of the car and say goodbye. They took off their seatbelts and turned to look at each other instead.

n

"Drive safe,

" Alyssa told him, hoping everything turned out well. She knew that her contact with him would be minimal since he would be busy, but she wanted him to at least let her know that he made it there in one piece.

n

"I will. Don't stay locked up in your room the whole time,

" Elias told her with a pointed look.

nAlyssa nodded, promising him that she would try to get out more, even if it was just to take a small walk.

nShe didn't want a repeat of Thanksgiving break. She wanted to make better use of her time.

n

"I won't,

" she replied.

"Just let me know when you get there.

"

nElias gently cupped her face and kissed her forehead.

n

"I'm going to miss you so much,

" he murmured.

n

"I'm going to miss you too,

" Alyssa told him. She knew they were being that cheesy couple, but she felt grateful to have that experience. So many people didn't.

nThey didn't get to feel the rush of emotions that she felt in each moment she shared with Elias. She wouldn't change how she felt for the world.

nElias smiled at her.

n

"Breaks always fly by. I'll be back before you know it,

" he pointed out.

nAlyssa knew that he was right, but she also knew that it wouldn't feel fast to her. She needed to figure out how to fill her days so that they didn't crawl by. She reached up to rest her hands on his wrists.

n

"Text me when you can,

" she told him.

nElias nodded and pressed a deep kiss against her lips. He only kissed her for a few seconds before pulling away with a light laugh.

n

"I can't tempt myself,

" he said as he leaned away from her.

"I'd never leave.

"

n

"I wouldn't complain,

" Alyssa replied before opening the door. She was slow to get out, but she forced herself out.

nIt was time to get break underway. She closed the door and waved at him through the window as he backed out of the parking spot.

nHer eyes trailed his car as it headed down the road. She wanted to sigh, but she kept it in. She was going to do better this time.

nShe didn't want to mope and ruin her break. She couldn't always be like this. If she wanted to change, now was the time to try.

nA new year was approaching, and she wanted to be better. She wanted to take risks and live her life to the fullest while she was young and still could.

nShe only had so much time on this planet. She wanted to be a step closer to the person she had always wanted to become.

n