C11 The Dump..2

Sierra stayed downstairs long after Alex had left.

She sat quietly on the couch, staring at nothing in particular.

She had thought they could work.

Maybe that was what hurt the most.

She had allowed herself to believe that whatever had started between them could become something real. And now, in a matter of minutes, it had been taken away.

Elizabeth came into the room but didn't say anything.

She seemed to understand that Sierra didn't want to talk.

Samantha stayed nearby too, giving her space without leaving completely.

The house slowly returned to normal.

Chris went upstairs. Elizabeth went into the kitchen. Samantha disappeared for a while.

Sierra remained on the couch.

Later that evening, Samantha came back into the room carrying two bowls of snacks.

She handed one to Sierra.

"Take."

Sierra looked down at it.

"What is this?"

"Food."

"I can see that."

"Then why did you ask?"

Sierra gave her a tired look.

Samantha smiled.

"Exactly. You're still capable of being annoyed, so you're doing fine."

Sierra let out a small laugh before she could stop herself.

Samantha sat beside her.

"I was going to eat all of this myself, but I decided to be generous."

"That doesn't sound like you."

"I'm growing."

"You're ridiculous."

"And yet you keep me around."

"Unfortunately."

Samantha smiled.

"See? You're already feeling better."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

Sierra shook her head, but the faint smile remained.

For a while, they talked about anything except what had happened.

They talked about the wedding.

Samantha said it had been beautiful, emotional, and far too long.

"I almost fell asleep during the speeches."

Sierra laughed.

"You did not."

"I absolutely did."

"You looked awake."

"I have years of experience pretending."

Sierra laughed again.

It wasn't much, but Samantha seemed satisfied.

After a while, Samantha leaned back.

"We should go somewhere tomorrow."

"Where?"

"I don't know yet."

"That's a terrible plan."

"It's still a plan."

Sierra smiled.

Elizabeth walked into the room and looked between them.

"What are you two planning?"

"Something important," Samantha said.

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes.

"Should I be worried?"

"Probably."

Sierra laughed again.

Elizabeth smiled when she saw her.

The three of them spent the next few minutes talking about random things—the wedding, the camping trip, Chris's terrible packing, and Samantha's plans for the next few days.

Nothing important.

Nothing heavy.

And Sierra was grateful for that.

By bedtime, she still wasn't completely okay.

But her mind felt a little lighter.

For tonight, that was enough.

---

The next morning, Sierra stood by the front door with her bags beside her.

Elizabeth was the first to come over.

"So this is really happening," she said quietly.

Sierra nodded.

"Yeah."

Elizabeth pulled her into a hug.

"You know you can always come back, right?"

"I know."

"And you better call me."

Sierra smiled.

"I will."

When they pulled apart, Elizabeth held her for another second before letting go.

Chris walked over next and gave her a warm smile.

"Take care of yourself, Sierra."

"I will. And thank you. For everything."

"Anytime."

Samantha stood a little farther back, watching them.

Sierra looked at her.

"What?"

Samantha shook her head.

"Nothing."

"You have that look."

"I always have this look."

Sierra laughed softly.

Samantha stepped forward and hugged her.

"Don't become a stranger."

"I won't."

"You better not."

"I said I won't."

Samantha pulled away and looked at her for a moment.

"You'll be okay."

Sierra nodded.

"I know."

They stood there for another moment before Sierra picked up her bag.

She looked around the house one last time.

It had been home for three years.

There were memories everywhere—good ones, difficult ones, and some she wasn't ready to think about yet.

But she knew it was time.

"Okay," she said quietly. "I should go."

Elizabeth opened the door for her.

Sierra stepped outside, then turned around.

"Bye."

"Bye, Sierra," Elizabeth said.

"Call me when you get there," Chris added.

Samantha lifted a hand.

"And don't forget us."

Sierra smiled.

"I won't."

She walked toward her car, opened the door, and placed her bag inside.

Before getting in, she looked back at them one last time.

Then she got into the car and drove away.