FLORENCE JOHNSON

----------------------------------------

"Are you done?", my aunt asked me.

"Just a few more and I'll be done. Today is December 24 and the today was our scheduled flight. Sophia doesn't know that I'm leaving this morning. I don't want her to be saddened by my leave. I don't want to see her cry. I think that it's best for her not to know.

------PAST (2 DAYS AGO, DEC. 22)

"Are you sure about this Florence?", Mrs. Wright asked.

"Yes. That's why I'm asking you this favor.", I replied.

"I think this isn't a great idea for both of you but if this us what you want then I'll do it.", Mrs. Wright accepted my favor.

"Thanks Mrs. Wright. I'll see you some time soon.", I said as I raised my hand half way asking her to shake my hand and so she did.

"Please do talk to her.", she asked.

"I can't. I told her that my aunt would take Michael and I to a resort on the 24th so she wouldn't know my departure.", I replied.

"You lied to her?", Mrs. Wright asked.

"I don't want her getting hurt. Anyway, I have to go Mrs. Wright.", I said as I stood up and made my way to the door. Mrs. Wright followed me with a worried face.

"Are you really sure about this Florence? Sophia will really cry without a doubt.", Mrs. Wright asked. I faced her and flashed a hurt smile.

"Even I don't know what the answer is."

------PRESENT

"Alright. All bags are packed. We're ready to go guys.", my aunt said. We all went outside and placed our luggages in the trunk. My aunt slammed the trunk shut as Michael and I boarded the car. I opened my phone and I saw my wallpaper of Sophia and I. My heart ached and I longed for her. The car started running and I couldn't bare to look back. I closed my eyes shut and held my phone tightly with my right hand. Michael looked sadly at me and I flashed him the best smile that I could muster.

"Are you okay big brother?", Michael asked.

"Yes, I am.", I replied. I sighed and somewhat regretted what I did.

-------------------------------------

SOPHIA WRIGHT

-------------------------------------

"Can't we invite them mom?", I asked. My mom suddenly hugged me from behind.

"Ohh. Can't we have a mom and daughter bonding time?", I asked.

"Fine. I have to go to my room first. I'll be back.", I told her and I ran to my room. I opened my window and I noticed that Florence wasn't opening his window which was odd. Then he hasn't texted me at all which was even more weirder. Geez. Where are you? Then I looked at my calendar and I saw that December 24 was encircled with a sad face at the side. To my horror, I remembered that today was the day that Florence was leaving. I dashed out of my room and my mom was already blocking the front door. Then suddenly I burst into tears.

"Why are you blocking my way?!", I asked.

"Because Florence told me to.", my mom replied.

"He did? Is this the reason why we were going to the beach all of a sudden?!", I asked.

"Florence told me to do this.", my mom replied.

"Why?! Why would he do this to me?", I cried.

"He didn't want to hurt you and send him off with a pained face. He knew without a doubt that you would cry.", my mom replied. In shock, I covered my face with both of my hands and cried. My mom sighed and moved away from the door. I raised my head and looked at her.

"Go. You may still make it." I stood up and ran as fast as I could. I looked at Florence's house and with a pained heart, I looked away and continued to run. The airport was so far so I decided to take a taxi. I told the driver to drive as fast as he could. Taking my phone out, I dialed his number but to no avail. He must have turn off his phone. Florence, why would you do this to me?! I silently cried. I looked at the buildings that were tall and grand. I looked at the people passing by with happy faces. It pained me so much that I lowered my gaze and just waited for my ride to arrive at the airport.

----------------------------------------

FLORENCE JOHNSON

----------------------------------------

I looked outside and there were people coming in and going out of the airport. Most of them were carrying luggages and some people were waiting for their loved ones to arrive.

Staring at the small blue ribboned box in my hand, I wondered if I would be keeping this in the end. I  sighed and placed the box inside my pocket.

"Let's just wait for ten more minutes and we can already board the plane.", my aunt said and I just nodded. I think my aunt knew how I was feeling but knowing how strict she was, just ignored me.

"I'm hungry.", Michael told my aunt.

"Florence, watch our luggages. Michael and I will buy something first.", my aunt said as she and Michael walked away. Honestly, I wish I could flee this wretched place. I took the box out of my pocket again and just stared at it. I wonder how she's doing. I bet she'd have found out by now and I hope Mrs. Wright is keeping her inside their house. I closed my eyes. Damn. I wish I could see her once more before I leave. I opened my eyes just to see a panting Sophia Wright right infront of me and Mrs. Wright just behind Sophia. I was in great surprise to see her right there. I wished for her to be here and there she is.

----------------------------------

SOPHIA WRIGHT

----------------------------------

I arrived at the airport and jumped out of the taxi. Before I could enter the airport, someone honked at me. I looked behind me and I saw my mom.

"Mom?", I said in surprise. My mom got out of the car and approached me.

"I decided to go with you but when I saw you board that taxi, I decided to drive the car and follow you. After hearing her answer, I ran inside the airport with my mom following behind me. Luck sided with me as I spotted Florence sitting at the waiting area. I ran to him and he opened his eyes. He flashed a surprised face when he saw me. I cried silently and tears were streaming down my face. I walked towards him and I bet he expected a hug.

-----------------------------------------

FLORENCE JOHNSON

-----------------------------------------

She approached me and I stood up. To my dismay, she slapped me really hard on my left cheek. My eyes widely opened in shock and I touched my left cheek.

"You idiot! You idiot! You... idiot.", Sophia said as her voice slowly faded and she sobbed. I looked at her crying face. This was why I didn't want her to come here. I didn't want her to cry like this. It pains me so much to see the person I love the most cry in front of me. Surprisingly, she ran to me and wrapped me into a tight hug. Tears then came out of my eyes and I hugged her back. Slowly, my hug became tighter.

"Sophia... I'm sorry.", I said.

"That's right. You better be sorry for what you did.", she replied.

"I'm such an idiot. A complete idiot.", I said. I felt her hug me tighter. Then I couldn't help but cry together with her.

"Don't go.", I heard her whisper as she grasped my shirt.

"Don't go.", she whispered again. This totally pained me and it made me cry even more.

"I have to go. I don't have a choice.", I replied.

"You do have a choice! You can stay here.", Sophia said while sadly looking at me.

"We've been together for as long as I could remember. We've spent so much time together for more than ten years. Now, we've even fallen in love with each other. I couldn't be more happier. If you leave, I don't know what to do anymore. I wouldn't have someone to walk with to and from school...", Sophia said as a flashback of both of us walking to school early in the morning while I was holding my bicycle and both of our bags were ib the basket plastered infront of my bicycle.

"I wouldn't have someone to laugh with or share my problems with.", Sophia continued as a flashback of the times we were fighting came back to me and I remembered when I was playing basketball at the gym and I knew that Sophia was peeking. That was one of those times where we made up.

"I wouldn't have someone to play music for me.", Sophia continued as a  flashback of the times where I joined contests and auditions and Sophia was there supporting me.

"I wouldn't have someone to hug and hold hands with. I will feel really lonely.", Sophia said. I remembered when we played with the snow at early dawn. The memories of us flooded my mind.

"I feel the same way. I really do. It's just that I really have to go. My aunt will really bring me with her no matter what I do.", I told her. She kept silent the whole time and all I could hear were her sobs. I pulled away from her a bit and I kissed her forehead. She looked at me and flashed me a pained smile.

"Alright. I can't do anything about that. It hurts so much but I can't do anything about it. I can cry all I want but things will not change. All I can do for now is support you and your decision but no matter what happens, always remember that I love you and I will wait for you, my lover and my best friend. I will always be your best friend no matter what.", Sophia said.

"I love you so much more and you are truly the best friend any one could have. You are so precious to me and I just love you so much that I have to sacrifice.", I replied. Sophia held my hand.

"Please do come back. I will be waiting for you to open your window.", Sophia said.

"I will. I promise.", I replied.

"I want to hear you play the piano again for me.", Sophia said and I cupped both of her cheeks that fit perfectly with my palms.

"I will come back and play the piano for you again.", I replied and the tips of our noses touched. Both of us laughed and I heard the announcement where it said that we were ready to board the plane already. Sophia tightly held my hand and so did I. My aunt and Michael came back.

"Let's go.", my aunt said.

"Big sister!", Michael said as he hugged Sophia's legs. Sophia knelt down and talked with Michael as Mrs. Wright approached me.

"I couldn't keep my promise.", she said.

"It's okay. I understand. She could be stubborn sometimes.", I replied.

"You're right about that. Anyway, have a safe flight.", Mrs. Wright said.

"I will.", I replied.

"I hope you can convince them.", Mrs. Wright whispered at me.

"I hope I can. Thanks for taking care of us all this time." , I replied and both of us shook hands.

"You're welcome and it's been fun.", Mrs. Wright replied.

"Alright Michael. Time to go. You too Florence.", my aunt said and she went ahead.

"Have a safe flight.", Sophia said. I smiled at her and I patted her head.

"Ofcourse I will. Bye.", I replied and for the very last time. I leaned forward and kissed her soft and gentle lips. We pulled away and hugged for the last time. I took my luggage and walked away leaving Sophia and Mrs. Wright behind. Even in pain, Sophia smiled and waved good bye. I waved back at her and went inside losing sight of the person I love.