"I love you, too," Allegra responded easily, a gut reaction. Just truth, honest. She returned his gestures, first a warm hug and then a brief kiss, her gray eyes fluttering open moments later with a new sort of appreciation. And she nodded as, finally, he separated from her and decided they would see one another later. Later was the appropriate word, the appropriate term for what was going on, and it felt right as she heard Adam say it. For the first time in a long time, she didn't feel as though there was an elephant on her chest as she watched Adam walk away from her. It felt like a much needed pause, and it allowed her to breathe.

Allegra walked through the grounds on the perfect spring day, her hands in the pockets of her jacket and her light eyes set determinedly in front of her. It was time to see Corie, and Ray, and the rest of the world away from Adam. It was time to talk to her best friend, and enjoy her last few days here, and actually take the time she needed to process... everything. Because it wasn't just this last week that had been overwhelming. It was the entire year. Was there ever a moment of down time? If there was, she didn't remember it. Looking back, it all seemed a high speed blur of highs and lows. And now, finally, was the time to slow down. She was looking forward to it.