Julian (Trinity Academy 4)

Laughter bubbles up my throat. “You know I’m as direct as they come, and I’ll tell them all to take a hike. You don’t need to worry.”

We share another hug before I continue to make my way down the row. When I reach Carter, he gives me a serious look. “You know we’re only a call away. I’ll take the first flight out of New York.”

A grateful smile tugs at my mouth. “Love you.”

The serious look morphs into an endearing one as he reaches for me to pull me into a hug.

“Love you too.”

Carter doesn’t say the words easily, which is how I know he really means them.

As I pull back, I grin and say, “Don’t worry. I have Rhett and the other guys here, and Miss Sebastian will kill anyone who messes with me.” My words bring a smile to his face.

Turning to Della, the lump in my throat comes back in full force. Besides the four years Della was away to study before she had Danny, we haven’t been separated at all. And back then, she would drive to Saluda for weekends.

We both know this time it will be different. There will be no quick drive home so we can see each other.

“Are you sure about this?” she asks me for the hundredth time.

“As much as I hate being away from you, I have to leave at some point,” I admit. “I’ll be home every holiday and during my summer break.” She nods, and when her eyes begin to shimmer with tears, it takes a lot of effort on my part to not cry. “I’ll be fine. I’m not alone in California,” I remind her.

She nods again, then whispers, “I just hate being so far away from you.”

“Me too.”

She takes a deep breath and forces a wobbly smile to her face. “You’re going to have so much fun and make new friends. Enjoy every second of college.”

“I will,” I promise.

We hug before I kneel down in front of Danny. I’ve been there since the day she was born, and during her first four years, I fulfilled Carter’s roll in her life.

“Look after Christopher and your mommy and daddy for me.”

Danny nods, then she pushes out her bottom lip. “Can’t I stay here with you? I want to live close to Uncle Ledge as well.”

A burst of laughter escapes me. “You can come and visit a lot.”

“It’s not the same,” she argues.

“Who will look after Christopher if you’re here?” I ask. “He needs his big sister.”

Danny lets out a sigh, “Okaayy… but as long as I don’t have to clean up after him.”

Wrapping my arms around her, I press a kiss to her cheek. “I love you, Danielle.”

“Love you, too, Aunty Jamie.”

I let out a sigh of relief that I didn’t burst into tears, then say, “We better get to the hall before the ceremony begins.”Entering the hall, Mason Chargill spots us and excusing himself from a group of people, he makes his way over to us.

After shaking hands with Carter, Mason looks at me and says, “Once the welcoming ceremony is over, I’ll introduce you to Julian, Falcon’s older brother.” When he gestures to the front row of seats, I groan inwardly. I don’t like being in the spotlight.

Nearing the aisle, I see Layla and Kinglsey, and I let out a relieved sigh. I met them at a bbq Miss Sebastian hosted a little while ago. Waving at girls, I don’t hesitate when Della whispers, “Go sit with them.”

Taking a seat next to Layla, I smile, “Hi.”

Kingsley leans forward and gives me a wide grin. “Hey, it’s good to see you again. Are you excited about being here?”

“I am.”

Kingsley gestures to an Asian girl sitting next to her, “This is Lee, Lake’s wife.” Then she explains to Lee, “Jamie is Carter’s sister-in-law.”

“Welcome to Trinity, Jamie,” Lee greets me warmly.

My smile widens as I reply, “Thank you, it’s nice to meet you.”

Layla reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. “How have you been?”

“Good, just a little nervous about starting at a new school, but I’m glad to see you’re here,” I admit. “How have you been?”

“Great. We had an amazing summer break, but now it’s back to studying.” Her smile grows wider, and she continues, “It’s so good to have you here. After the ceremony, we’ll show you the suite and around campus.”

“Thank you.”

I feel so much better having spoken with the girls, and knowing someone on campus. Things don’t feel so foreign anymore.

“There’s my man.” Kingsley grins as she pats Layla’s leg excitedly, then she sighs dreamily, “Damn, he looks good in a suit.”

My eyes go to the stage, and I watch as Falcon, Mason, and Lake walk toward the podium where a row of chairs is situated. Once everyone is seated, the lights in the hall dim and cello and violin strings begin to fill the air. As a new instrument joins the melody, soft light illuminates the orchestra. Quickly, I get transfixed with the music, and goosebumps spread over my arms when a deep voice begins to sing. The piece is so beautiful that there’s no way I can pull my eyes away from the corner of the stage where the orchestra is playing. I’ve always loved music, and watching the students perform makes me wish I had made time to learn an instrument while growing up.