Hope wished she could rip some hair out of that pretty head of Julianna's but she tried her best to keep her composure until she saw the way Julianna was looking up at the trap door and the fake smile she gave Noelle. Hope had it all wrong. She wasn't gonna try to get with José but Sabbath. And Hope wasn't about to stand back and watch that happen!!
Then Julianna used her annoyed tone with Hope, Hope lost it. Getting up she walked over to Julianna and looked at her up and down. Keeping it quiet she started, "I hope you don't think you are going to weasel your way in when Noelle is stuck here. Not gonna happen. They got something special. You need to back off." Hope gave her a evil glare. Knowing things were about to get real she prepared for it.

Sabbath ran his hand through his hair. "That's good, that they'll unground you at least" Even though she had chosen not to be with him, and that hurt him, he wanted to be able think of her happy here, free on the farm without him, when he was gone.

He listened quietly as she told him about Chris and her father, and how she hoped to have her grounding lifted when he was gone. Clearly, just him being here, risked her being locked up again. He was glad now, he'd not found her parents, he figured he'd been selfish to come, he should make this visit a short one, for her sake. He watched her sadly.

He sighed and shook his head at her question about Juliana, "Oh! Her," he said dismissively, "José invited her, she's been hanging around our place a bit lately, I don't know why, talking with José I suppose, I haven't really given her any thought". He waved his hand dismissively, she was a non-issue for him."I'm sorry she's here, I just didn't have the energy to argue with her about it, so I let her have her way", he shrugged, his face looked drawn like he could do with more sleep.

He heard Nells suggest going downstairs with them, but to be honest, he didn't want to be with them, he just wanted to be with her. It occurred to him, in his sleep deprived state, that perhaps, he was intruding more than he realised, was she trying to move him on? The thought gripped at his heart painfully, Yes, he should make this visit a short one.

Meanwhile, downstairs Juliana and Hope were have their quiet discussion. Juliana replied to Hope's accusation in a hushed but spiteful tone. "I'm not weaselling anything... and your cousin, she's not stuck here, she chose to stay here over Sabbath. She is walking away from him with her eyes open, the fool. I won't back off, I can see she is hurting him, and unlike her, I'll be there for him when he needs me" She looked disdainfully at Hope.

Noelle's hazel eyes searched Sabbie's black ones as he talked. He looked about as awful as she felt. She honestly wasn't ready to go back down from the treehouse but she didn't want to really leave her cousin alone with Julianna. Julianna was bigger and Hope had a defensive bone in her body when it came to Noelle.

She took another look down into the hole to make sure they weren't tearing each other apart. She noticed them really close and eyeing each other. Noelle looked on making sure Julianna didn't touch her cousin. The mood she was in, Noelle would launch herself out of that treehouse on top of Julianna.

But for now, she would keep an eye on her.

Noelle turned her attention back to Sabbie. She searched his face again. She wasn't ready to not be not some with him. "So, what are you doing tomorrow night?" Noelle asked Sabbie. She wasn't ready for this to be their last time together.

"I was thinking, we are having a big neighborhood party tomorrow night. Lots of people will be there. I'm sure I could.... Persuade my dad and mum to let you and whoever come if they knew you were leaving anyways.." She hated saying that last part but it was the truth.

Hope knowing that Julianna's going to try and be with sabbath anyway, no matter what she says decides to give it a rest. But not before she said one thing. "Noelle isn't leaving him alone. He will be with family. She would love to go but your culture is different than ours. We are still young, but that hasn't stopped the attraction between them and the friendship that they have. You're jealous and its sad. If I were you I'd go find me some one else. That way you don't look clingy and all." Turning on her heel she walked away and to over where José was. She gave him a smile. "Are you excited about going?"

Sabbie was aware he looked a little under the weather. Truth be known, apart from travel plans and missing Nells, he had been burning the candle at both ends. There had been a non-stop farewell party going at his house for days where a steady stream of cousins, extended family and friends who were not going to be travelling with them came to celebrate and wish them good fortune.

Sabbath had spent the past nights, carousing with his older cousins and uncles clapping palmas and singing Bulerias. Their soulful Gypsy laments had continued well into the early hours of each morning. His head was still foggy, from their merry revels. His plans for tomorrow night would be the same as the last few, but he was sure he could slip away to join Nells at her neighbourhood party.

"Nothing much" he replied to Nells. He was happy to be able to spend one more night with her, but he wasn't so keen to see her parents again. He wondered what sort of persuasion Nells had in mind for her them.

"I'm sure I could get away to come to your party. What time will it be?" He was already estimating that if he arrived a little bit late after her parents had been celebrating for a while, they'd be less likely to notice him slip in.


'Juliana smirked at Hope "You're right, you are different to us, that's why she'll never understand him like I do. Our families have been friends long before Noelle showed up. She's just another paya, Hope. You already know that Sabbath is betrothed to be married and when he does, they'll be no room for her in his life" Sabbath's betrothal to Rosaura was a sore point for Juliana, she dropped the conversation and turned away.

Hope had crossed back to José who was now petting a small dog that had turned up beneath the treehouse. "Yes, and no", José replied to Hope's question. Travelling meant that he would be leaving school, and as much as he loved his cousins, he was going to miss school and his group of friends there.

Noelle moved over to where a few bean bags sat. She climbed into it and patted the one beside her. She wasn't worried about the others right now. As much as she moved her cousin, she could handle herself and she was sure Josè would watch after Hope. If not, he would have Noelle to answer to.

"I ... I don't want you to leave..." Noelle said quietly as she waited for Sabbie to get back next to her. She was being selfish. He was going for his family and even to find his biological father. He NEEDED to go.

But she needed him too.

For several reasons.

Noelle brushes a tear off her cheek as she had started to think about her life without Sabbie. She couldn't imagine it without him. "Youre my best friend. You m ow that right??" She just wanted to make sure he knew 100000%. He meant more to her than anyone else had ever did that wasn't her family.

"Ill miss you."

Hope chose to ignore Julianna. She knew that sabbath would one day have to marry another woman but right now he was with her cousin and she'd make sure that no one got in the middle of them while they were together. Hope was sure even as they grew up their friendship would prove to be true, against all odds. They might not be able to stay together but she knew they'd always be friends.
Turning back to José, she looked at him quizzically. Why was he only giving one word answers? Deciding not to bring it up she asked,"why yes and no?"
Waiting for a reply she looked up at the beautiful sky. She loved being in the country. The openness of everything. And the peace.

"Ahhh", Sabbath flopped down into the bean bag beside Noelle, his hair splaying out around him. It was so comfy, he'd have to be really careful not to fall asleep here considering how sleep deprived he was right now. He turned his head to Noelle, watching her as she spoke. When he saw a tear slide down her cheek he sat up and leaned toward her. He caressed her face with his hand, wiping her tears and looked at her sadly, "I have to go, Nells" he said, quietly.

It was a given that he would go with his family when they moved on, they were part of him as he was them. They were his culture and identity and roots in a society that still didn't quite accept fully accept them and that was never more apparent than when they were travelling. He belonged with them in a way that he felt he never would in payo culture. He'd never even entertained the thought of leaving them, he never could, nor would he want to.

He was quiet as he studied the remnants of her tears in her lashes. He had promised himself not to ask her to come with him again, especially when she was so unsure of her heart. But, faced with her tears and heartbreak, he was weak.. he paused, uncertain, but, in the end he didn't ask her. Instead, he just gave her a sad smile, "you're my best friend as well, Nells. You must know I'm going to miss you, too?"


Downstairs, José answered Hope's query with a little more depth. "Well, I have to leave my friends and school, for starters. So, that's not great, but, i'll always have my cousins, he said with a smile. "and it also means that my uncles will expect more of me too, now that I am 11." He preferred not to talk about his family too much, so he changed the subject, "What about you, what will you be doing for the summer holidays?"

It felt a little like before the new that he was leaving when Sabbie plopped down beside her in the beanbag. It kind of reminded her of the time they stayed the night in the treehouse at the school. Except there weren't any bean bags in the treehouse at the school.

Sabbie looked like he could fall asleep any moment. Noelle watched him. When he shifted to wipe a tear, she pushed him gently back so he could rest. "Sabbie you need to sleep." She whispered.

She also knew he needed to go.

Noelle sighed. "Will you write me? And send me pictures??" Noelle asked him. Because if she couldn't ever physically see him again, she still wanted to be in contact with him. "And... You won't forget about me right??" She whispered.

That's what she was most scared of..... In addition to other important things.

Which she couldn't even wrap her mind around right now. Because he was choosing to leave them too. She wasn't happy about that at all.

Hope played with her hair. She had noticed the change in Jose when he started talking about his family, but she didn't know him well enough to poke and prod. So she answered his question. "I guess mostly hang out with bells and my brother. I don't have alot of friends." She gave a tilted half grin. "Guess its because I'm so head strong. And I don't really get along with girls." She looked at him from under her eye lashes. "It was nice getting to know you while it lasted. Too bad you and sabbath can't stay for the party tonight."

Sabbath shrugged at her statement, yeah, he needed sleep, but he'd be on the road soon and there'd be plenty of time for rest then. Right now, he was determined to see all of his friends and make his farewells.

"Of course, I'll write you", he said with a smile. "Will you send me owls? I want pictures from you too". Then his smile sobered a little with his next reply, "Of course, I won't forget about you. I will never forget you."

He looked at her, studying her face. "You won't forget me though, will you?..." He thought this question particularly prudent, since he had heard through the grapevine that Nells had invited that Romalotti kid over for a visit these holidays. It irked him so! He still had half a mind to do a flamenco on that kid's head. "...Not even when your friend, Phillip, comes to visit you?". He said quietly, his eyes flicking sideways towards her.


José listened to Hope tell her summer plans. "Oh, you don't get along with girls? He raised his eyebrows, and chuckled "whatever for, personally I get along with them quite fine", he grinned as she looked at him through her lashes.

"You're having a party? I'd have to ask Sabbath, but maybe we could. I mean, if you really wanted us to come" he said, returning her look with a smile.

He was going to write her. And send her pictures.

Noelle's grin doubled when he told her that. Scooting her red bean bag closer, Noelle rolled into the bean bag to get closer. The beans inside the bag molded to her making her extremely comfortable. She laid on her side and looked at him.

"Ill write you everyday. Pictures every other day. My poor owls are going to be so exhausted. But I don't think I can get away without writing or talking to you at least once a day. Will you keep your coin on you??" She asked him quietly. It was a magical coin and she wasn't sure if they could use it outside of school until they were of age, but she wanted him to have it with him at all times. She would have hers in her pocket, just as she had it I there now.

Then he was asking about Phillip.

Noelle couldn't hide the smirk from her face. She giggled. "Hes coming over to hang out with me over the summer and then we are supposed to meet up at Diagon Alley with Hope once it's time to go get some more school supplies. We are going to get ice cream together too." she admitted to Sabbie. But then she gave him a steady gaze. "You have no reason to be jealous. I could never forget about you. You are my favorite person in the whole wide world. Besides, Phillip and I are just friends."

Noelle kept an ear to the forums, trying to hear the others. She wasn't ready to go down and be with them yet. She was right where she wanted to be right now. She held out her hand in between them.

Hope smiled. Leaning towards him she rested her head on his shoulder. "I think it would be great if you and sabbath could come! Maybe get a few dances in with me before you go." Having heard the comment about the girl situation she shook her head. "Yea, I believe it when you say that you get along with girls. I'm sure girls get along REAL well with you too." She laughed and picked her head up putting it against the tree. "Do you think sabbath and Noelle will be OK?"

Sabbath rolled onto his side so that he could fit his hand into his jeans pocket. He rummaged around in the depths and pulled out his coin. He held it out to Nells with a grin. "Yes, I still have it".

He remained on his side and crooked his arm to rest his head, so he could look at her. He flipped the coin absentmindedly between the fingers of his other hand as he spoke. But the coin came to a halt as she started to talk about Phillip, it took all of his attention. "Oh, you're going to Diagon Alley too?.. and Ice-cream, well, that should be cosy," he replied sarcastically. Nells may have been smirking, but Sabbath was not.

She held out her hand to him, and he looked at her, he couldn't remain angry with her, he believed she really did think of Phillip as only a friend. But he knew, obviously, thats how 'best' friendships were born. "Just be careful, Nells, that's all I'm saying. I think there might be more to Romalotti than meets the eye." ...' the smarmy git', Sabbath added in his mind.

Like Nells, Sabbath could hear the accented voice of José and Hope's giggled chatter through the treehouse floorboards. He could also hear the creak of the treehouse ladder under the weight of someone climbing up. Just then, Juliana's head poked up through floor trap, her earphones hanging loosely around her shoulders. She glanced at them both, then said to Noelle with a smile, 'Hola, I thought I'd come and take the grand tour of your treehouse, Noelle. Will you show me around?".

José shrugged at Hope's comment, he didn't think getting along with girls was any special thing. It was part of his upbringing and culture to appreciate them. He smiled at Hope as she laughed and lazed against the tree. "I don't know, Hope, I guess they will be ok. Sabbath seems to like her a lot", he said then paused. "How about Noelle? Do you think she likes him as much he does her?"

Noelle watched as Sabbie went through his pocket looking for something. When he pulled out his coin, she beamed. She knew he would have it. Moving away from him, she dug into her jeans pocket and pulled out her own coin. She held it up for him to see. "[b]Ill always keep it. So.. If you ever wanted to use it...[\b]"

If he wanted to.

Noelle watched as he played with his coin and she moved back into her side to look at him. He did not seem amused about Phillip as she felt. She tilted her head at his words. "Cosy? It should be friendly. Because that's what we are. Just because you aren't going to be here, doesn't mean I'm going to run to the first boy Sabbath. I'm not like that. You should know that." She told him with him a serious look.

Just because she and him had become insanely close doesn't mean every boy she talks to will.

Then the ladder was creaking and Noelle rolled to see who was coming up since her back was to the opening. Julianna. Noelle's jaw clenched. The girl was smiling at her and acting all nice. Noelle knew better. "Hola. Feel free to look around for yourself. It's basically just this room. I'm talking with Sabbie. Thank you." She wasn't about to leave Sabbies side until he had to go.She knew she only had limited more time with him.

Sabbath grumbled as he returned his coin to his pocket for safe-keeping. He still wasn't OK with Nells getting all friendly with Romalotti in his absence. Although, deep down he knew he had no argument if he was never coming back to Nells and Hogwarts. In fact, he realised in this moment that drawing out his goodbyes was just a cause of pain and he should be strong and just let her go. But, he lingered... not wanting the final goodbye to come.

Juliana circled the tree house interior, pausing in false scrutiny of the pine cone animals and other objects of Noelle's childhood days that were sitting lined up on wall shelves. She continued her circuit, briefly looking out the window before crossing and flopping down on a bean bag on the opposite side of Sabbath. She said to Sabbath in Spanish, "What are doing with this girl, Gitano, she is not for you. She's not like us. Already, I see you suffer for her. Listen to your abuela, she's right, you should let her go, and can't you see you're hurting her too" She placed her hand on Sabbath's arm as spoke. Sabbath listened, he knew there was some truth to her words, he WAS hurting Nells, he was being selfish. It was time to go"

Sabbath stood up and crossed the treehouse floor, he gazed down the floor trap, beneath the ladder he could see José and Hope laughing together. Sabbath called down to José. "When you're done flirting, cousin. We should make a move".

José walked beneath the ladder and tilted his face up to talk to Sabbath. Hope was telling me about a party here tonight, I told her I'd talk to you about coming.. so how about it?

Sabbath sighed, Yes, Nells told me about it. Do you want to come? he said with a wistful smile, already knowing the answer by the look on José's face. But more importantly, does Hope want you hanging around annoying her all night? Sabbaths smiling eyes flicked to Hope for an answer?

As hope sat back and watched the banter between cousins she couldn't help but smile. Nodding her head at sabbath she laughed. "I don't know sabbath. He might be the one who might not want to stay and party. I could be boring." Laughing harder she thought to her self "like I'm boring. I'll have to get one more dance in before José leaves. He might return engaged or married. As is his culture." She got up and looked at José. Hope was going to say something About the women and culture statement he had talked about but thought it'd be wise not too. She didn't want to stir the pot, figuratively speaking.

Noelles eyes watches Julianna as she circles her treehouse. She felt like an intruder. Which, in Nells eyes, she was. She saw her touch one or two of Noelles Nick nacks thag were laying around the treehouse. Noelles eyes amost went into slits watching her.

Then she went and sat by Sabbie.
And put her hand on her Sabbie.
And was talking in Spanish to him.

Noelle sat up and crossed her arms over her chest. She was ta fan of this girl at all. And as soon as the girls words came out of her mouth, Sabbie was getting up and telling Josè they needed to leave.

Sigh.

Noelle stood and nodded at Sabbie when he mentioned the party. "Please come. One last goodbye?" She told Sabbie quietly. She didn't care if Julianna was a few feet from her. "Im not quite ready to see you go yet, Sabbie. Please say you'll come?" Hope was encouraging they come too. Yes!

Her cousin was brilliant.

Sabbath studied Nells face as she spoke quietly to him, asking him to return for one last goodbye. He gave a wan smile and nodded, meeting her eyes, "We'll try to be there Nells" He brushed a tendril of stray hair from her cheek with his fingertips and his eyes softened as she told him she wasn't quite ready to let him go. He replied with a sad smile, "But I have to go, now, Nells. I didn't tell my abuela I was leaving", he also knew they were expecting more guests at the house who would ask about his whereabouts so she would definitely notice him missing.

He sighed and looked at her, before pulling her gently towards him and embracing her. He held her, not wanting to let her go. He closed his eyes and rested his head against hers, breathing the soft scent of her hair. The moments passed.

Juliana was fussing somewhere behind them, when a pot plant that had been sitting on the shelf somehow dislodged, the pot fell to the wooden floor shattering into pieces and scattering the floor with soil. At the sudden smash, Sabbie released Nells from their embrace and turned to look at the disturbance. He saw Juliana standing over the broken mess with her hand clamped over her mouth in surprise . "Oh, I'm sorry, I must have bumped it," she said looking at Noelle.

"Gee, Jules" Sabbath said, shaking his head "We better get you out of here before you wreck the place!" He gestured towards the floor trap and waited as Juliana climbed down the ladder before looking at Nells to follow him and starting his own descent.

Sabbie was staring at her while she pleaded with him to stay some more. But he had to go. His abuela didn't know they had come and she didn't want to see him in trouble. "Okay just promise you'll come to the party then and none of this... I'll try stuff."

Noelle knew Sabbie wasn't a 'I'll try' kind of person and that worried her about being able to see him again. This could be the last time. This could be it.

When he pulled her in for a hug, she held onto him tightly and pressed her face into the room of his neck. She didn't want to let go. Just in case, she was memorizing everything about him. How it felt to hug him, his smell, the softness of his hair as it tickled her nose.

CRASH.

Noelle was interrupted from her memorizing as she pulled away to see what had crashed. She saw Julianna and a plant broke by her feet. Noelle could have leapt at the girl and slapped her she was so angry. Not about the plant, but interrupting her moment with Sabbie.

She wouldn't give her that thrill though.

"Goodbye Sabbie." Noelle told Sabbie and kissed him quickly. She blushed and took a step back so he could ascend down the ladder... And possibly leave her forever.

Hope heard the crash and wondered what in merlind name was going on up there. Figuring that the guys and Julianna were about to leave, she gave José a hug. Pulling away she couldn't help but feel a little sad. Other than her cousin José and sabbath were the only other people she had really gotten to know. She felt a little lonely at that thought. Now they were leaving. Well, they might come back for the party but she didn't know if they would be able to or not. Sighing she turned and looked up at the tree house feeling a little down. She's never admit it to her cousin but she was attracted toJosé and would miss him. Even though they had just met and it probably wouldn't of gone any further than them just being friends, she was gonna miss him. Even just because she was probably loosing a potential friend.

Hope walked over to the ladder, having heard the loud noise she just wanted to make sure everything was OK. She climbed up and opened the trapdoor. Looking around she spotted the broken plant by Julianna and what looked like a broken goodbye between sabbath and Noelle. Immediately hope became aggravated at Julianna. Would the girl just leave them be? Hopes face scrunched into a frown, "everything OK in here?" Giving Julianna the stanj eye she looked at Noelle, "you OK?"

Noelle had kissed him! It had been quick, but she had kissed him. His attention turned back to her immediately as she stepped away blushing furiously in classic Noelle style. He smiled and grasped her hand so she couldn’t escape so easily. He reasoned, if she was going to kiss him, she was going to kiss him properly. He smiled with amusement at her blush and pulled her gently towards him, his eyes dropping briefly to her lips as he leaned towards her, the distance between them was closing...

At that precise moment, the trapdoor to the treehouse slammed open with bang and Hope bustled in exclaiming loudly when she saw the mess on the floor, “everything OK in here?”. Both Sabbath and Noelle had turned their heads at the sudden commotion, their concentration broken, the moment lost.

Sabbath looked at Noelle, meeting her eyes with a disappointed smile. He released her hand, “C’mon then, lets go”, he sighed, before turning to speak to Juliana about the broken pot. He looked at Nells to follow him and descended the ladder after Juliana.

“Are we heading off?” José asked Sabbath as he reached the bottom of the ladder. Sabbath turned and nodded, dusting off his hands from the splintery climb, “Yeah, its time to go”, he replied. Juliana took her cue, stowing her headphones into her bag and swinging it onto her shoulder. She sidled up to the boys and smiled. “Lets get going, my papa is expecting me home, he’s probably calling your abuela to find out where I am already,” she simpered. Sabbath turned to face Nells and Hope ready to make his goodbyes.

(Oh no how dare hope ruin a moment!!)
Hope jumped down the ladder before she was trampled. It seemed she had ruined a moment between her cousin and sabbath. "Good job hope way to mess things up." She shook her head and watched them get ready to leave.

Sabbie had a way of making Noelle blush. Noelle had aways been confident and never really blushed until she had met Sabbie. Now he was grasping her hand and coming closer. She closed her eyes, anticipating when...

Boom!

Hope came into the tree house by the ladder.

Noelle blushed and stepped away from Sabbie, dropping his hand. Maybe it was a good thing that Hope interrupted since Noelle may never see Sabbie again. She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked at Sabbie as he started descending down the ladder.

Noelle waited until Julianna had started heading down the ladder. She didn't trust the girl more than she could throw her so she didn't want her coming down after her.

Once on the ground, Noelle brushed off her clothes and looked at everyone a little sad. She knew this was it. The last goodbye. She looked at Sabbie as he looked at her and Hope. She'd let him speak first.

Sabbath looked at Noelle, he eyes dropping to the ground. "Well, I guess this is goodbye then" he said softly. José interjected with a grin, "until tomorrow night, anyway". Sabbath glanced at José and then back to Noelle and smiled. "Yes, until tomorrow night", he agreed.

Sabbath looked at Hope, "See you later, Hope", he added. Juliana had hold of Sabbaths hand and was tugging at him to come. "Bye, girls, until tomorrow night, hey", she said with a smirk. She knew very well she wouldn't be welcome. She tugged again on Sabbaths hand so that he took a few steps backwards in her direction, before looking backwards to her and turning to follow. "Come on José", he added. José looked at Hope, "Ok, oK", he replied as he grinned at her. "I'll see you tomorrow, alright", he turned to catch up to his cousin.

The three Gitanos walked side-by-side down the long drive, Sabbath in the centre. He ambled with his head down, his hands in jammed in his pockets, They continued to walk until they were almost out of view of the treehouse, Sabbath didn't look back.

José turned his head to look at Sabbath, he knew from his silence and body language something was up. "We're not going back tomorrow night, are we?" he enquired. Sabbath glanced up, catching José's eyes. His cousin knew him well. He shook his head, "No, cousin, we're not" he replied, before resuming his silent walk. Juliana added, "Its for the best Gitano, she was never meant to be yours." They continued down the long drive and as the treehouse disappeared from view. José began to clap in rythym as he walked and Juliana began to sing a sad refrain, her voice full of longing.https://youtu.be/unkNZQ5Du8o Sabbath joined José and listened, over the coming days he planned to dance, and dance and dance with so much fire that his exhaustion left no energy for the memory of Noelle to pain him.