0. Prologue

                                    

                                          



Prologue
                          
"I don't want you to go," I sniffled, attempting to hold back the unshed tears as I embraced Cooper like my life depended on it. He towered me with his 6ft height, nonetheless, being held in his arms at this moment felt fulfilling. His arms were snaked around my petite figure, his face buried in my hair.
                          
"I don't want to leave you Lilly, I'm so sorry," he murmured quietly, before untangling himself from the embrace. He looked down at me as I avoided eye contact. My overgrown fringe covered my face as i attempted to blink back the tears.
                          
His index wrapped around my chin, and lifted my head to look at him. 
                          
"Two years will go by in no time, Lils, you'll see," he smiled reassuringly, but his smile didn't reach his eyes. I shook my head.
                          
"It's going to be the longest two years of my life, Cooper," I defended sulkily. 
                          
"Well, I promise to be back for senior year, you've got my word on that," he stuck out his pinky finger teasingly.
                          
"And if this makes my promise legitimate, then so be it," he laughed. A small laugh escaped my lips, as I shook my head and entwined my pinky finger with his. He pulled me in once more, in a warm embrace, before planting a soft kiss on my head. 
                          
"I love you, Lilly, don't forget," he spoke into hair. I nodded, feeling a thousand butterflies erupting in my stomach as my insides were filled with warmth at his words. 
                          
"Well i don't love you, Cooper. Not when you're leaving me," I joked, letting out a small laugh.
                          
"Come on guys, break it up," Mr Williams spoke, as he walked in between us with the last of Cooper's belongings. 
                          
He pulled away from the embrace, and reached for the nape of his neck. My eyes widened as he unfastened the chain that hadn't left his neck for as long as i can remember. It was a silver pendant which looked like it was broken in half, and on it was some intricately engraved Latin writing which he's always refused to tell me the meaning of. 
                          
"This shall be returned to it's rightful owner when he returns, Lilly- I'll be coming back for that," he vowed, as placed it in my hand. 
                          
"Coop! It's time to go, you're going to be late for your flight!" His dad yelled once more. 
                          
"I'm coming dad, give me a minute," he groaned. He looked back at me with apologetic eyes. 
                          
"I'll be waiting for my best friend, I'm not going through senior year alone," I warned jokingly, the cracking of my voice deceiving the facade I was putting on. He nodded.
                          
"It's seen as unforgiving to break a pinky promise," he winked, before I watched his retreating back go into the car, where his belongings had all been squeezed and packed in the back.
                          
I watched the car get smaller as the distance between Cooper and I increased, until it was no longer in sight. A shaky sigh left my lips, as I looked down at the item that my fingers were wrapped around. I couldn't read the foreign lettering, nonetheless, I took it as a form of reassurance he'd return. 
                          
"And the countdown begins," I mumbled disdainfully, as I lifted the chain to my neck, and reached around the back to fasten it. 
                          
"Senior year, Cooper."