Jay's POV
The private airstrip buzzed quietly under gray morning skies, Keifer's family jet gleaming white against the tarmac. No crowds, no chaos — just our little world gathered one last time before everything changed. Section E was there in full force: Rory, Calix, Felix, Edrix, Eman, Josh, Eren, Blaster, Kit, Mayo, Drew, Denzel. The girls — Grace and Mic — stood close, eyes already glassy. My family too: tita dabbing her eyes with a tissue, Kuya Angelo calm but tears escaped his eyes, Aries kicking at gravel like he hated this more than anyone.
We were the ones leaving — me, Keifer, C-In, David, Freya, Rakki. Oxford-bound. The rest stayed behind for Manila, their futures close to home while ours stretched across oceans.
Keifer stood by the jet stairs, hands in his pockets, giving everyone space. But his eyes kept finding mine, steady and warm, like an anchor.
Rory broke first. He pulled me into a bear hug, voice rough. "Don't forget us poor Manila kids when you're sipping tea with the Queen, ha?"
I laughed through the lump in my throat. "Never." One by one, they hugged me — Calix muttering "Text me your first drunk story," Felix whispering "Proud of you," Edrix just holding on too long without words. Blaster punched my arm lightly ("Don't get posh on us"), Kit slipped me extra snacks ("UK food sucks"), Mayo teared up silently.
Grace and Mic sandwiched me next, all three of us crying now. "Group chat every day," Grace choked out. "Promise."
"Promise," I echoed, hugging tighter.
My family was last. Mom held me like I might vanish, whispering "Be good, anak. Call every day." Tita Gemma pressed a medallion into my palm — "For protection" — her voice thick. Kuya Angelo pulled me aside, eyes fierce but wet. "You call if he steps wrong. We'll fly there ourselves."
"I know, Kuya." I hugged him hard.
Aries hung back, hands shoved deep in his pockets, staring at the ground. When I reached him, he finally looked up, jaw tight, unshed tears making his eyes shine. No words at first — just a rough hug that lifted me off my feet.
"Take care of yourself," he muttered into my hair. "And if Oxford sucks, come home. Door's always open."
My voice cracked. "I love you, Kuya Aries."
He pulled back, ruffling my hair one last time, voice gruff to hide the shake. "Love you too, little monster. Don't be a stranger."
Freya and Rakki were already sobbing into each other nearby, C-In hugging David tight like neither wanted to let go. David's usual cool cracked — "This city won't be the same without you assholes."
Keifer stepped up then, wrapping an arm around my waist, steadying me as the final calls came. "Time," the pilot said softly.
One last group huddle — Section E piling in, arms overlapping, voices overlapping in tearful chaos. "We made it," someone whispered. "Don't forget who we were."
Then the hardest part: turning away.
I clung to Aries one final second, waved at Tita and Kuya until my arm hurt. Their faces blurred through tears — proud, heartbroken, waving back like they could will the jet to stay grounded.
Boarding the stairs, I glanced back once more. They were still there, small figures against the vast runway, hands raised. My home. My heart.
Keifer squeezed my hand as the door sealed shut. "You okay?"
I leaned into him, watching the world shrink through the window. "Not yet. But I will be."
Engines roared. We lifted off.
Manila faded below — lights, family, Section E — carrying pieces of me away. But in the seat beside me, Keifer's quiet presence promised something new: not replacement, but continuation.
Goodbye wasn't forever. Just see you later.