The automatic glass doors slid open with a soft hiss. Cool air brushed against my face immediately. The airport was louder than I expected.
Suitcases rolled across the polished floor.
Children laughed as they chased each other between rows of seats before exhausted parents hurried after them.
Some people were crying.
Some were smiling.
Some were running because they were probably late.
Everyone was going somewhere.
Everyone had somewhere to be.
Except... It felt like I wanted time to stop right here.
I unconsciously slowed down. Jake noticed. He didn't say anything.
He simply matched my pace.
Luca was the complete opposite. He walked three steps ahead before stopping dramatically. "...Woah."
He slowly turned in a circle. "This place is huge."
Jake didn't even look at him. "It's an airport."
"I know."
"It's supposed to be huge."
"I've never actually looked around one."
Jake sighed. "I forgot you're easily distracted."
"I prefer the word curious."
"You got distracted by a pigeon yesterday."
"It looked important."
"It was eating fries."
"Exactly."
I laughed quietly. "...You're impossible."
Luca smiled proudly. "I've accepted that."
We continued walking.
Every step somehow felt heavier than the last.
Then... Mom lifted her hand. "There they are."
I looked up. Dad and Mom were already standing near one of the waiting areas. Dad smiled the moment he saw us. Mrs. May walked over first, gently fixing a loose strand of my hair.
"You walked here with your hair like this?"
I blinked. "...Was it bad?"
"No." She smiled softly. "But now it's better."
She always did that.
No matter how old I got.
Dad looked between all of us. "We're just waiting for one more announcement."
I nodded. "...Okay."
Then... I finally looked past them. My heart stopped. Ethan.
He was standing beside Seraphina. Two large suitcases rested neatly beside them. Seraphina was checking the boarding passes for what had to be the tenth time.
She'd look at the ticket. Put it away. Take it back out. Look again. Then sigh. I smiled a little.
Poor Seraphina.
Then "LIAAAM!"
Before I could even move... Liam had already launched himself across the airport. The blonde idiot practically tackled Ethan. Not hugged. Tackled.
"Ethan!"
"Oof—"
Ethan staggered backwards, laughing. "Liam!"
"I changed my mind!"
"...About?"
"You can't leave."
"I have to."
"No."
"...Liam."
"No."
"I have a plane."
"I don't care."
People walking past actually started looking.
Jake quietly covered his face. "I don't know him."
"You absolutely know him."
Mom answered immediately. "He sometimes lives in our house."
"...Unfortunately."
Liam still refused to let go. "I'm serious."
"So am I."
"I'll miss you."
"I know."
"I'll be lonely."
"You have Emma."
Emma immediately raised her hand. "I'm literally right here."
"I know." He answered without looking away from Ethan. "But this is different."
Mark finally walked over.
He gently placed one hand on Liam's shoulder. "...Breathe."
"I'm breathing."
"Barely."
"...Fair."
Liam finally let go.
Only to immediately hug Ethan again.
Jake groaned. "Round two."
"I forgot something."
"What?"
"I needed another hug."
Ethan laughed. "You're unbelievable."
"I've been told."
When Liam finally stepped back... He wiped his eyes dramatically. "I look ugly, don't I?"
Emma looked at him. "...A little."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Then... Luca quietly walked forward.
His expression had completely changed. No jokes. No dramatic poses.
Just... A small smile. "Ethan."
Ethan looked at him. "Oh. There you are."
Luca nodded. "I've been thinking."
Jake immediately muttered, "That's dangerous."
"I heard that."
"I wanted you to."
Luca ignored him.
Then opened his arms. "Come here."
Ethan smiled.
Then hugged him.
A proper hug.
Not rushed.
Not awkward.
Just warm.
Luca rested his chin on Ethan's shoulder. "...I'm really going to miss you."
"So am I. You've known all of us for..." Ethan pretended to think. "...About a month."
Luca pulled back so fast his curls bounced. "What?"
"...A month."
"It was not one month."
"No?"
"No."
Luca placed a hand dramatically over his chest.
"It was one..." He paused. "...Beautiful month."
Jake looked up at the ceiling. "Here we go. A beautiful month."
Luca continued proudly. "A life-changing month. A spiritually educational month."
Jake frowned. "What does that even mean?"
"I don't know."
"Then why did you say it?"
"It sounded emotional."
Even Dad laughed.
Seraphina covered her mouth, trying not to smile.
Mom actually giggled. Ethan shook his head.
"I'll miss you too."
"...Promise?"
"I promise."
"...Pinkie promise?"
"...Luca."
"...Fine."
He hugged Ethan again anyway.
Jake sighed. "That boy hugs people like they're about to disappear forever."
Luca looked at him. "...He is."
Nobody answered.
Because... He was right.
Jake's smile slowly disappeared. "...Yeah."
He is.
Silence settled over us for a few seconds.
Then Jake walked forward.
He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "I don't really do speeches."
"We know."
"So..." He shrugged. "...Don't become British."
Ethan laughed. "I'll try."
"And don't come back saying things like..." Jake suddenly put on an awful fake accent. "'Ello mate."
Liam immediately pointed. "That's Australian."
"It's close enough."
"It really isn't."
Everyone laughed.
Even Ethan.
Jake smiled. "...Just come back."
"I will."
The two boys hugged.
It wasn't long.
Jake wasn't the type.
But... He patted Ethan's back twice before stepping away.
That somehow said everything.
Mark came next.
Neither of them spoke immediately.
Mark simply adjusted his glasses before smiling. "...Thank you."
Ethan blinked. "For what?"
"For becoming part of our family."
Ethan smiled. "I should be thanking you."
Mark shook his head. "You already did."
Then hugged him.
Emma hugged him after that.
Nena was next.
She folded her arms.
Looked Ethan up and down.
"...Right."
Ethan smiled. "...Should I be worried?"
"Very."
She nodded. "I'm giving you one mission."
"I'm listening."
She pointed directly at him. "You better behave in London."
"I will."
"No flirting."
"I wasn't planning to."
"No pretty British girls."
"I—"
"No smiling too much at strangers."
"Nena..."
She narrowed her eyes. "I'm serious."
Jake laughed. "He's terrified."
She ignored Jake completely.
"If..." She poked Ethan's chest once. "You do something stupid..."
Another poke.
"...Anything stupid..."
One more poke.
"I am personally flying to London."
Ethan couldn't stop laughing. "...To do what?"
She smiled sweetly. "...Avenge Ayana."
Silence.
Then Jake burst out laughing.
Liam nearly folded in half.
Emma covered her face.
Even Seraphina laughed.
Mom shook her head. "Oh dear."
Dad smiled. "I believe her."
"I do too."
Mark nodded seriously. "...She would."
Nena folded her arms proudly. "Damn right."
Then... Her smile disappeared.
She quietly hugged Ethan. "...Take care of her heart."
She whispered. "So I don't have to come."
Ethan hugged her back. "...I will. I promise."
Then... Everyone looked at me. And without saying a single word...
They slowly stepped aside. Leaving just enough space between us.
Just me.
And Ethan.
The rest of the airport disappeared.
All I could see... Was him. Everyone slowly moved aside. Nobody had to say anything.
It just... Happened.
Luca quietly stepped backward.
Jake gently nudged Nena beside him.
Mark rested his hands inside the pockets of his hoodie.
Emma slipped her fingers into Liam's hand before he could run over and hug Ethan for the third time.
Even Mom and Dad took a few small steps back.
Somehow... Without speaking... Everyone understood.
This moment belonged to us. I slowly walked toward Ethan.
One step. Then another.
Until I stopped right in front of him.
Neither of us spoke.
We just... Looked at each other.
His dark hair moved slightly from the cool air flowing through the airport.
He looked exactly the same.
Exactly like the boy who is always cold and glarring at me every few seconds.
The boy who teased me, in the most brutal way.
The boy who somehow became... Mine.
"...You're really leaving."
I whispered.
He smiled.It wasn't his usual smile.
It looked... Sad.
"...Yeah. I am."
I stared at him for another second before laughing softly. "...You know... I kept hoping something ridiculous would happen."
He tilted his head. "Like what?"
"I don't know."
I shrugged. "Maybe your passport disappears."
He chuckled. "...Wow."
"Or... The airplane gets tired."
He laughed harder. "Tired?"
"Mhm."
"It deserves a break."
"So..." He folded his arms. "...Your master plan was hoping the airplane called in sick?"
"I thought it was a solid plan."
"It wasn't."
"It really wasn't."
"...You're mean."
"I'm realistic."
I smiled. "...I know."
Silence settled between us again.
This time... Neither of us tried to fill it.
I slowly looked down at the bracelet around my wrist.
The little white beads caught the airport lights.
AIANA.
I laughed quietly.
"You know..." He followed my gaze. "I still can't believe you spelled my name wrong."
He covered his face. "...Please. I've suffered enough."
"I haven't." I lifted my wrist proudly. "My name has officially changed."
He groaned dramatically. "It was one letter."
"It was my identity."
"I apologized."
"You did."
"I apologized six times."
"You did."
"I'll apologize again."
"You probably should."
He laughed.
Then... Very gently... He reached for my hand.
His fingers slipped between mine naturally.
Like they'd always belonged there.
He squeezed softly. "I'm going to miss holding your hand."
My heart hurt. "...Me too."
He looked at me quietly. "I'll call."
"I know."
"I'll text."
"I know."
"I'll annoy you every day."
I smiled. "I know."
"And..." His voice became quieter. "I'm coming back."
I nodded. "I know. I'll wait."
I answered before he could say anything else. His eyes widened just a little.
"You don't even know what I was going to say."
"I do."
"You do?"
"You were going to tell me not to wait."
He laughed softly. "...Maybe."
I smiled. "Too bad. I'm stubborn."
"I noticed."
"I'll wait anyway."
His smile slowly disappeared. "...Thank you."
I shook my head. "You don't thank people for loving you."
His eyes softened so much they almost made me cry. Before I could stop myself...
I stepped forward.
He immediately wrapped both arms around me.
This hug... Was different. It wasn't quick. Nobody rushed us. Nobody interrupted. I rested my head against his chest. Listening. His heartbeat.
Slow.
Steady.
I wondered... Would I remember what it sounded like after four years? "I'll miss this."
I whispered. "...Me too."
His chin rested lightly on top of my head. "I'll miss you complaining."
"I don't complain."
"You absolutely do."
"I express concerns."
"You complain beautifully."
I laughed into his hoodie. "...You're impossible."
"I learned from Jake."
"...That explains everything."
He laughed quietly.
Around us... Nobody spoke.
Not one person. Even Luca...
Stayed quiet. Which honestly... Might've been the saddest part.
After what felt like forever... The announcement echoed through the airport.
"Passengers for Flight A217 to London..." My stomach dropped.
No. No. Not yet.
Ethan slowly loosened his arms.
Neither of us wanted to let go.
But eventually... We did.
He looked at everyone.
"I guess..." He smiled sadly. "...This is really it."
Liam immediately sniffed loudly. "It doesn't have to be."
"It does."
"It doesn't."
"It does."
"No."
Jake sighed."Liam."
"I'm negotiating."
"With an airplane?"
"...Yes."
"You've lost it."
"I know."
Everyone laughed softly.
Even through the tears.
Ethan walked over first.
He hugged Dad.
Dad held him firmly. "I'm proud of you."
"Thank you."
"Study hard."
"I will."
Then Mom.
Mrs. May hugged him tightly. "You'll always have a home here."
"...Thank you."
She smiled. "And eat vegetables."
Ethan blinked. "...That was unexpected."
"They're important."
"...Yes, ma'am."
Then... Luca practically sprinted over. "WAIT!"
Jake groaned immediately. "Oh no."
Luca threw himself at Ethan again.
"One last hug!"
Ethan laughed so hard he nearly dropped his backpack. "Luca!"
"I forgot!"
"You forgot what?"
"I forgot my goodbye hug!"
"You've hugged me four times."
"This is the farewell edition."
Jake counted. "No."
"This is number five."
Luca ignored him completely.
He squeezed Ethan dramatically.
"...I'm going to miss you."
"I know."
"I'm serious."
"I know."
"I'll cry."
"I know."
"I'm already crying."
"...I know."
Luca pulled back.
His eyes were watery.
His nose had turned pink. He looked... Ridiculously adorable.
"You know..." He sniffed. "...I still think one month was enough."
Ethan smiled. "It was."
Luca nodded proudly. "It was one beautiful month."
Jake sighed. "There he goes again."
"A beautiful..." Luca lifted one finger.
"Emotionally unforgettable month."
Another finger.
"Brotherhood month."
Another finger.
"Friendship month."
Another finger.
"Hug month."
Jake blinked. "...Hug month?"
Luca nodded confidently. "The best kind."
Even the people walking past smiled.
Ethan laughed before hugging him one last time. "I'll miss you too, little brother."
Luca froze.
"...Little brother?" He looked absolutely offended. "I am seventeen."
Jake folded his arms. "Here we go."
"I am almost an adult."
"Mhm."
"I pay taxes."
Jake blinked. "You absolutely do not."
"I..." Luca paused. "...I will."
Dad laughed. Mrs. May covered her smile.
Even Seraphina couldn't hide hers anymore.
Luca folded his arms proudly.
"Anyway... I accept the title. But only because it's you."
Ethan smiled warmly. "...Deal."
Then... Seraphina gently touched Ethan's shoulder. "It's time."
Everything became quiet again.
Really quiet.
Ethan looked at all of us one last time.
Then slowly picked up his suitcase.
One.
Step.
Two.
Three.
He turned around.
Lifted his hand.
We all waved.
I smiled through blurry eyes.
"Bye..." I whispered. "I'll see you soon."
He smiled. "I promise."
Then he disappeared beyond the security gate.
Luca stared at the empty entrance for a long moment.
Nobody spoke.
Then... Very quietly... He sniffed.
"...Can someone..." Another sniff. "...Bring him back?"
Jake rubbed his face. "I can't."
"...Why?"
"Because London is really far."
Luca looked genuinely heartbroken. "...That's rude."
Jake blinked. "...Who's rude?"
"London."
I laughed through my tears.
"So..." Luca continued, still staring at the gate. "...We're just supposed to..."
He gestured dramatically toward the empty hallway. "...Pretend everything's normal now?"
Nobody answered.
Because... None of us knew how.
We stood together in silence as the plane lifted into the bright blue sky.
It became smaller... Smaller... Until it disappeared into the clouds.Luca wiped both of his eyes dramatically.
Then looked up at the sky. "...Come back fast..."
He sniffed loudly. "...Because these people are boring without you."
That finally broke us.
Even Jake laughed through watery eyes.
And somehow... That sounded exactly like the kind of goodbye Ethan would've wanted.