JAY-JAY POV
Morning arrived too quickly.
The hotel room that had been filled with laughter and chaos suddenly felt too quiet.
Suitcases stood near the door.
Yes we have to leave đ
The school trip was over.
And now...
it was time to go home.
I walked into the living room and immediately noticed Luka sitting on the couch, hugging his dinosaur plushie tightly.
He stared at my suitcase.
"...You're leaving?"
I knelt in front of him.
"I have to go home."
His eyes filled with tears instantly.
"But... you just came back."
I smiled softly and wiped his tears away.
"I know."
"You'll come back?"
"I'll come back."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
"You'll call me?"
"I'll call you."
"You'll visit me?"
"I'll visit."
"You'll bring chocolates?"
Despite the tears in my eyes, I laughed.
"The expensive ones."
Luka sniffled.
"Good."
Then he suddenly hugged me tightly.
"I'll miss you."
I wrapped my arms around him.
"I'll miss you too."
After a while, we finally pulled apart.
Luka immediately pointed at Keifer.
"If you make my sister cry..."
Everyone turned toward him.
Luka crossed his arms seriously.
"...I'll eat chocolates."
Robin burst out laughing.
"The legend returns!"
"And my body will become strong," Luka continued proudly.
Keifer nodded once.
"...Understood."
Luka looked satisfied.
Then...
it was time.
Cyrus stood in front of me.
"Take care of yourself."
"You too."
Robin shoved his hands into his pockets awkwardly.
"...Don't forget us."
I rolled my eyes.
"As if you'd let me."
He grinned.
"True."
Then...
I looked at Adrian.
The room became quiet.
Even Robin stopped joking.
Adrian had always been different.
He wasn't just my best friend.
He was the boy who stayed when everyone else left.
The one who protected me.
The one who shared my loneliness.
The one who became home.
For a few seconds...
neither of us moved.
Then Adrian walked toward me.
I tried to smile.
It didn't work.
"You better answer my calls," he said softly.
I laughed weakly through the tears forming in my eyes.
"You sound like an old man."
"You better answer them."
"I will."
His eyes softened.
"You promised me once that no matter how far life takes us..."
My throat tightened.
"...we'll always find our way back."
I finished the sentence quietly.
He nodded.
A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it.
"...You idiot."
He laughed softly, even though his own eyes had become watery.
Then, without another word, I stepped forward and hugged him.
Tightly.
Desperately.
Like I was afraid that if I let go too soon, he'd disappear again.
Adrian hugged me back just as tightly.
One hand resting protectively on the back of my head.
"It's okay," he whispered.
"I'm here."
The tears I had been holding back finally fell.
"You left before," I whispered.
His arms tightened around me.
"I know."
"You can't do that again."
"I won't."
"You promise?"
His voice shook slightly.
"I promise."
The room was completely silent.
Even Robin looked away.
Even Keifer didn't interrupt.
Because everyone understood.
This wasn't romance.
This was family.
This was two people who had survived each other's darkest days.
Eventually, Adrian gently pulled away.
He rested his forehead against mine for a second before smiling sadly.
"You'll always have me, Jay."
I laughed through my tears.
"You better."
"Bossy."
"You started it."
That finally made both of us laugh.
I wiped my eyes.
"You better answer my calls too."
He smiled.
"Always."
Outside, Section E was waiting.
Keifer stood nearby quietly.
Luka hugged me one last time.
"Don't forget the chocolates."
I smiled.
"Never."
As I walked away with Section E to return home, I turned back one last time.
Adrian raised his hand.
I raised mine back.
No dramatic goodbyes.
No promises they couldn't keep.
Just the understanding that some people...
no matter how many times life separates them...
will always find their way back to each other.
And that was enough.