Chapter 29

Shayla and I took loads of photos today. My favorite photoset would have to be when we kissed in the photo booth. I love this girl more than ever and the fact that she loves me too makes it all the better.

VII

We got back home at three thirty tired as ever.

"Mike and Shayla are back!" Randy shouted from the kitchen.

"Hey, Randy," I sat on the counter.

"What's up?"

"Nothing. Where's LaToya?" He pointed upstairs as he cut a tomato. "I hope that sandwich is good," I laughed.

"It will be. Trust me," he said as I went upstairs to Shayla's room.

"I'm all packed, Michael," she said as she zipped her suitcase.

"Shayla, we have to sort out the photos," Shayla and I went to my room and sat on my bed.

"I'm so glad we were able to get them developed."

"Which ones are your favorites?" I asked and spread the photos out in front of us.

"I really like the kissing ones."

"Really? So, do I!"

"Thankfully we have duplicates."

"That's a good thing! Oh! I have to find the roller coaster photos!" She and I got up to look for them. I looked by my nightstand and in my drawers. Where did I put those photos? I scratched my head. "Found them!" Shayla picked them up off my dresser. I went over to her, hugging her from behind. "Which ones do you want to keep?" She asked.

"I don't care," I kissed her cheek.

"Baby, I know there is a specific one you want," she turned around, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"As long as you're in it, I don't care which ones I get," I kissed her. She blushed, kissing me back. I pulled her closer and placed my hands on the small of her back.

"Ooo! Michael and Shayla are kissing!" Janet yelled as she ran past my room. Shayla quickly backed away, pressing her lips together.

"I think I'm going to take my luggage downstairs," she said and hurried to her room.

"Dunk!" I went to Janet's room.

"What?" She laughed, menacingly.

"You're such a snitch."

"So? Ooo, I can't wait to see what Joseph does to you."

I rolled my eyes, "help me take Shayla's stuff downstairs."

"Why?"

"Because I said so, that's why!"

"And?"

"You're so annoying. Come on," I said and went back to Shayla's room. "Janet and I are going to help you take your things downstairs."

"Thanks, baby," she smiled. I picked up her large suitcase and took it downstairs. Shayla and Janet followed behind with the smaller luggage.

"Is that it?" I asked. Shayla nodded. I led them outside so that we could put the luggage in the car.

"Wait!" I heard LaToya shout as she ran to the car. "I want to come with you!"

Randy followed behind her with a bag in his hand, "I'm coming too."

"Is mom coming?" I asked.

"No. Joseph took her out. They must have forgotten."

"Okay. Let's go," I said and started driving toward the airport. Shayla grabbed my hand in hers. I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed it. "I'm going to miss you, baby," I told her.

"I'm going to miss you too," she smiled a bit. I held her hand to my heart and kept it there the whole ride.

VII

"Are you excited to go home?" LaToya asked as we all walked in the airport with Shayla.

Shayla sighed, "no. Not really."

"Did you have fun?" Janet asked.

"I had tons of fun! I really don't want to leave you guys. You're like my second family."

"Aww!" LaToya smiled and hugged her.

"I'm really going to miss you guys," Shayla hugged Janet and Randy.

"Shayla, I got you a little going away present," Randy gave her the little bag he had been carrying.

"Randy, you shouldn't have," she smiled and looked in the bag.

"It's so you'll think of me always," he smiled as she dug out a picture frame with a photo of him smiling brightly.

Shayla laughed, "thank you, Randy," she hugged him again.

"You're welcome," he smiled at me.

"I'm going to get you," I mouthed. He rolled his eyes and let go of Shayla.

She walked over to me and hugged me tightly, "I love you, Michael," she whispered.

"I love you too," I kissed her.

"Aww, man!" Randy groaned. Janet and LaToya could only laugh. "It's not funny! She was supposed to be my girl!" He sucked his teeth. I smiled as I kissed Shayla.

She back away, "promise me you'll write all the time," she looked at me.

"I promise. Don't forget to call me, okay?" I held her hand to my heart.

"I promise," she kissed me again. "Don't forget to write."

"I won't," I kissed her one last time.

She backed away and picked up her luggage, "I'll miss you guys!" Shayla smiled as she began to make her way to her terminal.

"Bye, Shayla!" Randy, Janet, and LaToya called after her.

I watched as Shayla walked away. My heart was already beginning to ache, "alright, guys. Let's go," I sighed.

Janet sighed, "I'm going to miss seeing Shayla."

"Me too," I said as I opened the door. I'm going to miss her so much.