The vacation at the Hart Estate was coming to an end, and although no one wanted to admit it, we all knew that soon we'd have to return to Stanford. The calm and relaxing days had been a balm after months of intense work, but duty was calling us again. However, before officially saying goodbye to summer, we had one last night to celebrate.
The afternoon was warm, with the sun slowly leaning toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. We were in the backyard of the Hart Estate, where a barbecue was being prepared to mark the end of our vacation. Everyone was there: Lindsay, Olivia, Ellie, Charlotte, the Hart sisters (Emma and Sarah), Matthew, James, Sophia Hart, and now even Ellie's mother, who had accepted a job near Stanford thanks to Lindsay's efforts. It was a diverse group, but each of us had found our place within this improvised little family.
As I helped arrange some chairs around the main table, I heard Olivia approach from behind with her characteristic energy.
"You know what, Sack?" she said, crossing her arms as she watched me move the chairs. "You should stop doing that as if you're a butler. You don't have to impress anyone here."
I smiled, placing the last chair in its spot.
"I'm not trying to impress anyone, Olivia. I'm just helping."
She raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
"Uh-huh, sure. Well, if you insist on being useful, you could start thinking about our next trip. Because these vacations were amazing, but next time we need to go to another country."
I laughed at her enthusiasm.
"Another country? And who said you're going to plan it?"
Olivia pretended to be offended.
"What do you mean by that? I'm the best trip organizer you know."
Lindsay, who was nearby organizing napkins, chimed in with a mischievous smile.
"Remember what happened the last time Olivia planned something 'simple.' We said Prague and ended up in Zurich."
Everyone laughed at the memory. It had been total chaos, but also an unforgettable experience.
"Hey!" Olivia exclaimed, pointing at us. "We may not have gone exactly where we planned, but we had a great time. Besides, Zurich was a wonderful surprise. Who can complain about Swiss chocolate and trains that run like clocks?"
Sack, always sarcastic, added:
"Yeah, sure. Until we got lost in the middle of the snow because someone decided walking was more romantic than taking a taxi."
Olivia shot him a glare.
"Please, Sack. That was part of the adventure. And I didn't hear you complaining when you bought three designer coats at that luxury store."
Sack grinned widely.
"You're right. It was a nice touch."
We kept laughing, enjoying the shared humor. But then Ellie, who had been quiet until now, spoke in a soft but clear voice.
"I hope you enjoy your next trip a lot," she said, looking at the ground. "Though I… well, I probably won't be able to join you."
Her comment caused an uncomfortable silence. We knew Ellie had practical reasons to worry. Unlike us, who came from families with resources, she relied on a scholarship to study at Stanford. Every extra expense was a challenge for her.
Olivia, however, didn't waste a second. She quickly approached Ellie and hugged her tightly.
"What are you saying? Of course you're coming with us!" Olivia exclaimed, with a mix of firmness and affection. "Wherever we go, we all go. You're part of this, Ellie."
Ellie seemed surprised by the gesture but also deeply moved. The shy girl returned the hug, murmuring a barely audible "thank you."
Lindsay, who was nearby, joined the hug, wrapping her arms around both of them.
"Exactly, Ellie. We're a team. We always have been."
I saw Lindsay nodding at me, signaling that I should join too. I approached slowly, feeling a bit out of place compared to the emotional drama of Olivia and Lindsay, but understanding that this was an important moment for Ellie. When my arms wrapped around the three of them, I felt something special happening. It wasn't just a hug; it was an unspoken declaration that, no matter the circumstances, we would never let Ellie feel excluded.
When we finally pulled apart, Ellie had tears in her eyes, but a genuine smile lit up her face.
"Thank you, guys," she said, wiping her cheeks. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Olivia playfully ruffled her hair.
"The same goes for me, Ellie. Now stop worrying so much. We'll find a way to make everything work."
With the atmosphere lighter after the emotional moment, we all headed toward the barbecue area. James and Matthew were busy cooking burgers and sausages, while Sophia supervised everything with her usual elegance. Charlotte ran around the garden, chasing butterflies and laughing innocently.
"Charlotte!" Ellie called. "Be careful with the flowers."
The girl stopped abruptly and looked back guiltily.
"Sorry, Ellie. I just wanted to catch them."
Ellie smiled and shook her head.
"It's okay, but try not to pick them, alright?"
Charlotte nodded solemnly and continued her exploration, though this time with more caution.
Meanwhile, Emma and Sarah chatted animatedly about their upcoming academic projects, while Lindsay helped Sophia organize the desserts on a side table. Olivia, of course, couldn't stay still and was busy tasting the food directly from the grill.
"Oh, this is perfect!" she exclaimed, stealing a piece of meat just as Matthew tried to flip it.
"Olivia!" he protested, trying to reclaim his food. "Wait at least until it's ready."
She laughed, chewing enthusiastically.
"Relax, Matthew. It's just a little preview."
James, who had been watching the whole scene with an amused smile, interjected.
"Leave her alone, guys. Olivia has always been like that. Ever since she was little, she couldn't resist good food."
Everyone laughed, including Ellie's mother, who seemed delighted to be part of this peculiar group.
When night fell and the hanging lanterns illuminated the garden, we sat around the central bonfire. The cool air carried the scent of smoke and freshly cooked food. It was one of those moments when time seems to stand still, and conversations flow effortlessly.
"Do you know what the best part of all this is?" Olivia asked, looking around. "Even though the vacation is ending, we'll always have this. This connection. This madness."
Lindsay nodded, resting her head against my shoulder.
"That's true. No matter what happens, we'll always have this family to count on."
Ellie, who was sitting next to Charlotte, smiled shyly.
"I never thought I'd find something like this when I came to Stanford. Thank you for making me feel like part of it."
Sophia, always wise, interjected with a maternal smile.
"You are part of us, Ellie. And you always will be."
At that moment, I realized how lucky I was. Not only for having Lindsay by my side, but for belonging to this special group. Each of us was different, but together we formed something unique.