The moment I reached the bottom of the stairs... I found exactly what I expected. Chaos.
Luca stood in the middle of the living room like a lawyer about to defend the most important case of his life.
One hand was pressed dramatically against his chest.
The other pointed accusingly at absolutely nobody. "I don't accept this."
Mrs. May calmly sipped her coffee. "I know."
"I reject today's schedule."
"I know."
"I filed a complaint."
"I know."
He frowned. "...You're making this very difficult."
Mrs. May looked over the rim of her mug. "Am I?"
"Yes."
She nodded once. "Good."
I laughed before I could stop myself.
Luca turned so quickly his curls bounced. "Ayana!"
He marched toward me like he'd finally found someone reasonable. "Tell them Ethan shouldn't leave."
I blinked. "You think I can stop an international flight?"
"...Yes."
"Luca."
"You're very convincing."
"I am not."
"You cried because a puppy in a movie sneezed."
"...That puppy looked emotional."
"It sneezed."
"It sneezed sadly."
Mrs. May covered her smile with her coffee cup.
Even one of the maids walking past looked like she was trying very hard not to laugh.
Luca sighed dramatically before dropping onto the couch. "I don't want him to leave."
His voice was quieter this time.
Real.
"I know..." I quietly sat beside him.
For a few seconds... Neither of us said anything.
Then Mrs. May stood up, smoothing the front of her blouse.
She walked over to us and gently rested a hand on my shoulder. "We'll go together."
I looked up. "To the airport."
Her smile was warm. "We'll see him off properly."
I nodded. "...Okay."
"Good."
She lightly squeezed my shoulder before walking toward the kitchen. "Breakfast first."
"Sadness later."
"...Mom."
"What?"
"...You're strangely good at this."
She laughed softly. "I've had practice."
I smiled.
Of course she had.
Just then The front door opened.
Jake walked in carrying his car keys, looking like someone who had already lost an argument before the day even started.
He glanced around the room. "Everybody alive?"
"Barely," Luca answered dramatically.
Jake looked at him. "...Why are you lying on the couch like a Victorian child with a mysterious illness?"
"I'm grieving."
"You've known Ethan for, like..." He pretended to count on his fingers. "...A month."
Luca sat up immediately. "And?"
"And?"
Jake spread his arms. "That's all!"
Luca gasped. "Feelings don't use calendars."
I nodded seriously. "He's got a point."
Jake looked at me. "You too?"
I shrugged. "He does."
Jake pinched the bridge of his nose. "I live with actors."
"We're emotionally expressive," Luca corrected.
"You're emotionally exhausting."
"I accept that."
"I wasn't complimenting you."
Mrs. May returned carrying a plate of pancakes. "I made breakfast."
Luca immediately forgot he was grieving. "Ooo."
Jake pointed. "Look at that."
"What?"
"The healing process."
"I can be sad and hungry."
"...That's actually fair."
We all sat around the dining table.
Nobody talked much while eating.
Not because we didn't want to.
Because... Today felt different.
Even Jake wasn't making many jokes.
The only sounds were forks lightly tapping plates and Luca happily humming because pancakes apparently fixed thirty percent of his emotional damage.
After breakfast, Dad finally came downstairs.
He looked surprisingly relaxed despite already being dressed for work.
He adjusted the watch on his wrist before smiling at us. "Everyone ready?"
Nobody answered immediately.
"...No." Luca answered honestly.
Dad chuckled. "I figured."
He looked toward me. "Ayana."
"Yes?"
"You'll be alright."
I smiled a little. "...I'll try."
He nodded once. "That's enough."
A few minutes later... We all started heading outside.
Jake jingled the car keys. "I'm driving."
Luca immediately looked offended. "I value my life."
Jake stared. "...Excuse me?"
"You hit a speed bump yesterday."
"I drove over it normally."
"You apologized to it."
"I did not."
"You literally said 'my bad.'"
Mrs. May laughed. "I heard that too."
Jake looked betrayed. "...Nobody's on my side."
"Nope," I answered.
"Not even a little." He sighed dramatically. "Fine."
He unlocked the car. "Everybody in."
Luca immediately opened the back door before stopping.
"...Actually..." He looked at me. "You sit in front."
I blinked. "Why?"
"So you don't get carsick."
"I don't get carsick."
"You might today. ...Because you're sad."
I smiled softly. "...Thanks."
He shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.
Then climbed into the back seat himself.
Jake watched the whole exchange. "...Why am I suddenly the chauffeur?"
"Because you have the keys."
"I regret owning a license."
"You should."
"I wasn't asking."
We climbed into the car.
I settled into the passenger seat while Luca sprawled across the back like he owned the vehicle.
Jake started the engine. The soft hum filled the silence.
Nobody spoke for a few moments. The mansion slowly disappeared behind us as we drove through the quiet streets.
I rested my elbow against the window.
Watching buildings pass one after another.
Everything looked... Normal. People walking dogs. Children riding bicycles. Coffee shops opening.
How was the whole world acting like today wasn't important?
Jake glanced at me for a second before looking back at the road. "Mark, Liam and Emma are already at the airport."
I nodded quietly. "They got there early."
"Yeah."
Another pause.
Then Jake continued. "We're just going to see him off."
"...Mhm."
"And then..." He sighed. "We wait four years."
I slowly turned toward him. "...Thanks a lot."
He blinked. "What?"
"I was trying very hard not to think about that."
"Oh."
He scratched his cheek. "My bad."
"You somehow made me feel worse."
"I have a gift."
"A terrible one."
He nodded proudly. "I specialize in accidental emotional damage."
I groaned. "You're unbelievable."
From the back seat Luca leaned forward between us. "You know..."
His voice was much softer than before. "I don't think you should worry too much."
I looked back at him.
He rested his chin on the gap between our seats.
His soft curls had completely fallen into his eyes again.
He looked like an overgrown golden retriever.
"I'm not just worried..." I admitted quietly. "I'll miss him."
Luca nodded. "I know."
"And..." I hesitated. "...I'm scared."
Jake briefly glanced at me. "Scared of what?"
I looked down at the bracelet around my wrist.
"...What if..." I swallowed. "...What if he meets someone else over there?"
Silence. The car suddenly felt much quieter.
Luca looked thoughtful.
Then he nodded slowly. "I understand."
"You do?"
"Mhm."
He folded his arms very seriously.
"I mean..." He looked out the window dramatically. "If I were dating Ethan..."
Jake immediately coughed so hard the car slightly swerved. "DUDE."
Luca ignored him. "I'd be worried too."
Jake looked like he wanted to pull over just to argue. "What are you saying?!"
"I'm making a point."
"You're making me uncomfortable."
Luca sighed.
"My point is..." He looked back at me. "He's kind. He listens. He buys snacks. He remembers little things. He gives really nice hugs."
Jake groaned loudly. "Can you stop describing him like you're writing a dating profile?"
"I'm appreciating his qualities."
"You sound in love."
"I'm not!"
Luca pointed dramatically. "I'm saying... If I were his partner..."
Jake interrupted again. "You are not!"
"I KNOW!"
Luca laughed. "I'm saying I'd worry too."
He smiled at me. "But... I don't think he'll change."
I stayed quiet.
"He looks at you differently."
I blinked. "What do you mean?"
"The way he looks at everyone..." He shrugged. "And the way he looks at you... They're not the same."
I felt my cheeks grow warm.
Jake rolled his eyes. "I hate admitting it... But the kid's right."
Luca immediately sat up proudly. "Did you hear that?"
Jake sighed "I've made a mistake."
"He called me right."
"I should've kept driving."
Luca grinned from ear to ear. "I'm basically a relationship advisor."
I laughed. "Oh?"
He nodded confidently. "Come to me anytime."
Jake snorted. "I'd rather ask a brick wall."
Luca gasped. "The disrespect."
"I should charge consultation fees."
Jake slowed the car as the airport finally came into view. Glass walls. Huge signs.
People wheeling suitcases everywhere.
He parked the car before turning off the engine.
Then he looked at Luca. "...Get out."
Luca blinked. "What?"
"I've had enough relationship advice for one morning."
"You can't kick me out."
"I absolutely can."
Luca folded his arms. "I'm a passenger."
"Not anymore."
"I'm emotionally valuable."
Jake pointed toward the door. "Out."
I couldn't hold it anymore. I burst into laughter.
Luca looked at me dramatically. "You see? I defend love... And this is how society treats me."
I laughed so hard my stomach actually hurt.
Jake shook his head. "I swear... I'm adopting a cactus. It talks less."
Luca opened the car door with the biggest offended sigh I'd ever heard. "I hope your cactus appreciates you."
Jake smiled. "It already does."
And somehow... Between all the stupid jokes... And Luca's terrible relationship advice...
The knot in my chest loosened. Just a little.
As we stepped out of the car and looked toward the airport entrance...
Reality quietly found me again. Ethan... Was really leaving today.