"Grace! Get down here! The taxi has been waiting for over 30 minutes now!"

Mum had been hollering for over 10 minutes as well, asking me if I'd taken new toiletries for my kit, whether I wanted to borrow her new purse.

I knew it was her way of coping with the goodbye. We were alike that way. We both hated goodbyes. We never knew how to do them right.

I turned to indifference as my choice of defence. Which was partly the reason why I'd told my parents that they didn't have to see me off at the airport.

Dad wasn't okay with it, but he got called away on an emergency case and had to bid a hasty goodbye earlier that morning. Ours was a mid afternoon flight, and it was already 12 PM.

I still had to haul the heavy batch of my luggage and then help with Steph's. Maybe I'll grab a bite to eat from the airport.

"Has Steph loaded her luggage in yet?" I yelled down from stairs.

"Yes, Steph is almost done. Today is not a good day to pick to be late, Grace." This time it was Steph yelling up at me.

I went back and did a final sweep of my room. The baby blue walls, the window seat, the stuffed toys that lined the shelves on either side of the bay windows. I couldn't leave my little wolf doll behind. When mum wasn't looking, I packed him at the bottom of my suitcase, well hidden under the clothes.

I'd left most of my books, I decided to buy several new ones from Seoul. From my own salary. I already had a list of novels I needed to get my hands on.

I would miss my bathroom. The Wi-Fi spot for my inspiration and my far-fetched imagination. I would miss-

"GRACE SHARLENE NOEL! Get your ass into the cab this minute, unless you want us to miss our flight!"

I was out of my room before anyone could say "Forest".

Mum cried, subtly, while fussing over my hair. Mrs. Puhn, Lanie, weeped and hugged the both of us. Mr. Puhn wished me luck with a firm handshake. It was all over in a wink, after which we were in the cab and off to the airport.

I don't remember keeping any of my stuff in the back seat with us, except for my backpack and Steph's travel bag. So it baffled me as to how congested it was for the two of us. I was pushed against the window and Steph's elbow was digging into my side. She did eat 6 out of the 8 muffins my mother baked again last night. It could be-

That's when I saw it, tucked against her, camouflaged perfectly against the black vinyl seats.

"Tell me you did not."

"Okay I won't."

"Did your mum see?? Does she know?!"

"What my mum will never know, is going to keep her happy and sane while I'm away being insanely happy."

"I can't fathom how you even managed to get him in there."

I peer into the cat carriage to find a very comfortable kitty waving his tail.

"He loves me. So he'll go anywhere with me. Wont you, Mochi?"

Mochi, the stray cat, that chose Steph as his pet.

(Yes she named the cat Mochi, said the name just popped into her head.)

And since it was love at first sight both ways, he became a constant at her house. Despite her cat allergy, Steph couldn't have enough of the feline, until her mum threatened to chase him away for good. But when has anyone ever succeeded in having their way when it comes to Steph.

Her coos were rewarded with incessant purring.

"Sounds romantic."

"Its not PG13 though, don't worry."

"I'll take that as a forewarning, especially since you've named him Mochi. Did you remember to take your medications then, just in case?"

"Aye, cap'n. Now stop worrying, and let me listen to my music. This moment needs a soundtrack playlist all to itself."

I couldn't agree more. All these years of wishing and imagining, and side by side bemoaning of our rotten luck, we were on the road to our long time destination. And it was a one-way, with no turning back.

We reached the airport with exactly 2 hours left, and hungry enough to swallow an entire cow.

"I think Mochi's hungry too."

"Well Mochi can just munch on some kitty treats while lounging inside his little pram."

"Don't you get hangry with my Mochi!"

Hungry wasn't a good look on me, but it went well with my temper. All this lugging around wasn't helping my cause either. We decided to check in our luggage first, so that it would be easier to go about.

There was quite a crowd around the check-in counter, for a weekday. A bunch of girls were scattered about, one of them yelling over the voices of the rest. Her voice seemed familiar.

"Grace, are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

"I am now."

There was a large banner sweeping along the floor between the group of girls. I caught a few korean words on it.

What brought me to a conclusion was the familiar 'Jeon Jungkook 97' jacket, worn by the girl who was directing the group with exaggerated hand movements and commands that would have been audible throughout the terminal.

"Mika?!"

The girl turned around, wide eyed, and dropped a smile when she noticed me. The rest of them looked over too, their faces lighting up, and scrambling to hold the banner up the right way. It read :

안녕히 가세요 친구 [ annyeongaseyo chingu ]

"Well hello, Grace. Did you really think you could leave without getting a proper goodbye from me?"

"And me!" Another little figure popped out from behind the banner.

"Raegan! What in the world are you doing here?!"

Steph nearly dropped Mochi's carrier from the shock.

"Oh, I picked her up on the way here. Knew you've been wanting to meet here since long, Steph."

It was unbelievably endearing. The entire gang had made it over to say goodbye.

All the luggage was forgotten, hugs were exchanged and squeals rang out, as we squeezed each other to death. Until Rachel, reminded us of the time.

I was so happy that I couldn't stop grinning like a mad fool, so much that my cheeks began to hurt. Hannah wouldn't let go of my arm, her camera slung around her neck. Rachel was on my other side. Steph was animatedly catching up with Michelle and Raegan. Mika was explaining how she'd managed to bail from work during a month end.

"-but I told them it was either they let me go for the week or forever, and of course, they'd never be able to live with letting me go. They'd lose their most top notch accountant. Pshh, it was a piece of cake getting over here."

"I can't believe you came over just for us! A call would have been sufficient."

"Really, Grace? A call? Don't you know me enough to presume that I never like it easy."

"Oh she knows, how dramatic you like to turn things into." Which earned Hannah, a laugh from Rachel and I, and a smack on her shoulder from Mika.

"Grace! It's almost 2. We need to get going." Steph came over with Michelle and Raegan.

I turned to look at everyone. Hannah looked close to tears and I squeezed her hand tight.

"I guess this is it!" Mika clapped her hands together and then opened her arms wide. "Come here, you."

I hugged her tight, and the rest of them didn't waste anytime joining in.

"Okay. I still need to live a while before I get to visit Seoul, so can we let go?!" Mika looked like a rumpled tissue, once we detached ourselves from the group hug.

Even Steph had a few tears pooled in her eyes, when we walked towards the escalator leading to the waiting lobby.

Rachel gave me one last hug and whispered a good luck, while holding back tears. Hannah refused to look at me. I pulled her aside.

"It's fine, Grace. I'm trying to adult here. So don't ask me anything."

"I know, Han. I know." I continued to hold her hand, I knew she had stuff to say.

"Its just, who will I come running to when I doubt myself. You know how often that happens!"

"To me, Han. As always. This isn't a 'Goodbye'. It's just a 'I'll see you soon'. You won't even know I'm gone."

"Don't say that. I will. Everyday." She wiped her eyes and huffed.

"Ah, I'm being such a brat."

"Are not! Stop saying that. You, are going to get into that photography programme by the time I get back."

"Ha! Yeah that works, Grace. You've made me laugh. Now get going."

"Yeah, and take my sister with you, Grace. It would be such a help." Mika chortled from behind us and Hannah gave her the stink eye.

I waved to them all, one last time, and then jogged off to where Steph was waiting, having safely docked Mochi on board.

Steph cocked an eyebrow at me, and held out her pinky finger.

"Shall we, best friend?"

"We shall, best friend." I hooked my pinky with hers.

Next stop : Seoul.

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SEOUL!!!! WHO'S EXCITED?!! I've been excited all day. Today's an unforgettable day in the life of ARMYs. Our boys have made an impression on the entire world today. Invited to UNICEF. Honoured as GoodWill ambassadors of the Youth. Namjoon's speech has left the world astounded and wanting for more. WE ARE SO PROUD!!! So I decided to post an update on this auspicious day 😋 Enjoy!! AMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! Especially Daydreamz107 and r_a_s_h