“ALL for one," Mari said, smiling through her tears.

“And one for all," Naimh agreed.

"I'm gonna miss you guys," Zofi said sadly.

“We'LL all miss you too," Sam replied quietly.

“But we'll still get back together," Alice insisted.

“Thanksgiving or

Christmas or something, right? I mean, flights from SoCal aren't that expensive if it's just a few times a year."

“Flights from SoCal?" Belle asked curiously.

“Are you leaving too?"

"Oh, right." Alice blushed. She took a deep breath and explained, "I haven't mailed it back yet, but I'm going to UCLA." When she was done, she gave Naimh a significant look.

The freckled redhead started crying and covered her face completely.

Nobody rushed her, although Alice reached out and hugged her tightly.

Eventually, Naimh got her emotions under control and she looked straight at me with a look of utter and complete heartbreak.

“I'm going to UCLA with Alice. I didn't get into Cal Berkeley."

I blinked. "I didn't say I was going to Cal."

Naimh frowned. "Belle said the two of you had already decided."

I glanced over at Belle, who shrugged. We HAD discussed going to Cal together once we went over our combined acceptance and rejection letters. I had dreamed of going to Caltech or MIT Engineering, but those were extremely small schools quite difficult to get into, and being accepted into Berkeley Engineering was no small feat. I was quite proud of myself, but at the same time, we hadn't nailed down our decisions for sure. I'd also gotten into USC and Cornell. USC wouldn't be too far away from Mari, Alice, and Naimh. Cornell would be a fresh start on the East Coast if I was so inclined.

I sighed and looked at Belle, mildly annoyed that she'd told the girls we were going to Berkeley together as if it was a done deal.

“You shouldn't have told them," I scolded mildly. "I haven't actually decided yet."

Belle frowned.

“You're not seriously thinking of leaving me, are you?"

I rubbed my forehead.

“Deciding on a college has a lot more factors to consider than just the friends who will be there."

"YOU were the one so desperately hoping the seven of us would stay together locally,” Belle shot back.

“Yeah well that's obviously not gonna happen!" I barked vehemently, a little Louder than I probably should have. Maybe drinking so much before this kind of conversation wasn't such a good idea.