I chuckled at the image that suddenly formed in my mind, which was more science fiction space babe in a skimpy outfit than one of NASA's puffy white EVA suits. But after another deep breath, I continued, “Zofi's getting a fresh start on the other side of the country. Staying with me

- or Sam -- would've stopped her from finding romantic love. It would've been too easy to stay comfortable with us, and unfair for her to live her life loving two people who would never be able to be the kind of partner she really needs. I sincerely hope she finds what she's looking for."

Naimh nodded.

“And even Holly. We had fun together, but by the end we could all tell she was ready for her own fresh start. It was a miracle she stayed with us as Long as she did."

"She stayed for you, Matty." Naimh gave me a wan smile. "She Loved you, in her own way. No pressure. No commitment. You cared about her without tying her down or limiting her the way a regular boyfriend would. You knew when to dominate your Personal Slut but you also knew when to back off and treat her tenderly, and she loved you for it."

I shook my head.

“But she wouldn't have stayed with the BTC even if she'd come to Berkeley. The social butterfly was itching to spread her wings and find new playmates."

“Don't be so sure about that. But then I suppose we'll never know for sure."

I shook my head slowly. "I miss them all."

“And I'm sure they miss us too. But seriously, we're going to see them all again in a few days. They're coming on Saturday to visit and check out the new house, remember?"

“I know but..." I sighed.

“Look, I know I'm overreacting. But even though we all had our grand goodbye yesterday, it's like the emotions... I mean... Here we are in our new house... and it's all just suddenly so REAL now, you know?"

"I know." She nodded. "But don't fret. We'll all be together again.

You'll see. Everyone agreed to meet up during Winter Break, at the very least."

“I know, I know. But it still hurts to be here together, the four of us like this, instead of eight. It feels like half of my heart is missing."

Stroking my cheeks, Naimh gave me a quick peck on the nose and then a deeper kiss on the lips. When we separated, she gave me a sincere Look and said quietly, “Each of us, including you, is still growing into the person we're going to be. We're a bunch of teenagers who at times think we've got it all figured out, but we've already changed so much in the last year alone. Who knows what our next evolution is going to be?"

I chuckled. "You sound like Alice now."

Naimh smiled.

“She and I have spent a LOT of time talking these Last few months. She wants me to take care of you, and still feels guilty about abandoning you to go off to UCLA.”

I shook my head.

“She's not abandoning me. I'll miss her, but like you said, I know we'll see each other again."

Naimh nodded. "She said you called her your ‘Forever Friend'. I think that applies to all of us, doesn't it? Alice, Mari, Zofi, Holly, you, me, Sam, and Belle. Our time as the BTC may be over... for now... but none of us is ever going to forget what we've shared together.”

Her statement brought me back to my own ruminations at the beach Last night about the bond we all shared, and with a smile, I said, “I like that. Forever Friends.”

“Forever Friends," she agreed.

I sighed. "But I still miss them. And I'm afraid I'm going to continue missing them for a long, long time."