AGNES

While I do some finishing touches to a painting that would be up for exhibition during Opening Night, Felix takes a seat beside me, offering his morale support.

"Other than the yellow green mixture you used for most of the landscape scenery, which I like, I appreciate the way the lakes bend around the edges of the forest. It's as if the trees obtain its vitality from the water," he says.

"I took an inspiration from The Lymington River and gave it my own meaning. I'm considering it a homage to nature and wildlife conservation."

"Why don't you paint a picture of us?"

I fall short of words for a stunning few seconds. "That's... going to take a lot of time."

"We have enough time! Come on, please. It will be a once in a lifetime memory."

My point exactly and I don't want to even think about it for one second. I'm not willing to let go just yet. Ever since I learnt that he'll be moving out of the country, life has been spiralling in all directions. I try as much as I can to put up a face that hides my worries in front of everyone, but I know how terribly sad I am.

Other than the 'no time' justification, it's going to be very difficult for me to do a thing like that. It's like saying our last goodbye.

"If we have enough time as you claim, then you can wait. I have loads of orders booked for this exhibition."

He sighs, "I'm really going to miss you all." Now why did he have to say it?

I virtually grip myself from going down another episode of depression, covering up with a grin. "We are not dying," I tell him, "you can still visit us sometimes."

"Being so far away from all of you might just be the death of me, but I bet you'll think about me while I'm gone."

I let out a small smile, "you haven't left yet and you're already getting cocky."

He bashes away. "Aren't I the cockiest man you have ever met?"

"Okay, you can get down from your high horse, you're starting to become annoying."

After the happy moment, he looks down. "This is all dad's fault."

"Hey! Don't think like that. Your dad may have a good reason for his decision."

"He was offered a transfer to work abroad, is it good enough a reason to make us relocate with him?"

"But isn't it a good thing? If I had a considerate man who wants to be close to his family, I'd be grateful." An unnerving silence takes over. We both know what it is about. Maybe I'm still not over the past yet, but I'm positive I'll get there soon enough. I have people around me to help, and I believe in the future, even if I see my dad, I won't feel a single pain.

Wow! Another spiel about my dad.

"So about your dad, have you ever tried to look for him?"

"If I'll see him again, I want to be all grown so I can make him pay for leaving my mom," I joke.

We share a nice laugh.

Nah... I'm sure I will definite get over it – if only he didn't have to go. Suddenly, I sense a nudge to tell him something that I know will help. "Do you recall that evening of our school play when we danced as the star couple?"

"Who would ever forget that?" He snickers.

"I saw my father. He was there."

Slowly, he straightens his face. "Really," he says with restrained horror.

"Honestly, I don't know what I would do or feel if I see him again."

"That must be hard for you. I wonder what it'd be like growing up without a father figure."

"It's hard, but you get used to it."

"As for me, what I can do now is obey my dad's wishes until I'm eighteen. This is the time when I ought to be his rebellious teenage son."

We gush into a round of light-hearted laughter, just the two of us goofing around while the rest of the crew make structural plans for the shop. I think I can understand it now, the reason I feel safe when I'm around him, why my heart can't slow down when he's near me and why his blue eyes always leave me starstruck.

As if in outer space, it feels like we're left alone to roam freely without a single care.

"I'll miss you," I say quietly.

Unlike me, he refuses to be forlorn of hope. "As soon as I come back, you will be the first person I'll look for."

"Or the second person you mean to say."

"Definitely the first."

"So you won't look for Xian first?"

He sighs deeply this time. "Well, he's also going abroad."

"Huh!"

"He hasn't actually settled on that yet, and he's kind of indecisive. Truth be told, he really does not want to leave."

"What part of the world map is he relocating to then?"

"He's going to further his studies in China since his dad works over there. Just so you know, his dad is always traveling back and forth just to be with him whenever he can."

"So basically, everybody is parting ways one by one. Soon, I'll be the only one left in this town."

"Of course not!"

"Besides, at the end of the day, it's for the best, right?"

"I have an idea, why don't you come over to my house for dinner one of these days?"

I suddenly forget how to blink. "What...!"

"Of course I know that it's out of the blue, sure, but it's not impossible, right?"

"Are you sure about that?"

"I am very sure. I want you to meet my parents, and my sister, Annie... although you've met her once."

"You practically hid her from me."

He laughs shyly.

"But I would love to," I agree after he manages to stop laughing. "I can't refuse a family dinner, most especially if I'm going to meet the people who tolerate your impudence every day."

His blue eyes dilate. "Really?! I'm gonna inform them right away!"

I just smile from ear to ear. I really can't believe Felix can be this cute without trying.

FELIX

As usual, I arrive last to the dinner table before sitting on my chair. Gawping at dad, mom, then at Annie, they all look less volatile than I would expect, dad precisely. I should beat around the bush a bit. Asking dad directly might be odd.

"Dad, when are we leaving?"

He takes a minute first since he's got chunks of food in his mouth. "We might leave soon."

"So why don't you want to tell us where we will be moving to?"

"It's a surprise, Felix, and I'm sure you guys will love it. Don't think too much about it, okay, just know that you will like it."

Is there a possibility to know where he's taking us to? I don't understand why he wants to keep it a secret. What sort of anticipation is he trying to build by doing so? We're relocating to a new environment! Don't we have any right to know where it is?

I tried persuading mom to tell me something at least, even if it's a hint, but it's like she made a pact with dad to hide this secret from us.

"Is it too far from here?" I ask, expecting he lets a clue slip out by mistake.

"Why do you ask?"

"I want to know if I can still be in touch with my friends even when I'm away."

"It's fine. You can still be in touch with them no matter the distance."

That's it! I give up! I don't know how he relishes ruining my life. And that excuse? Like that's the dumbest excuse I have ever made up. I fall back on my chair and face the food before me.

Oh right! The reason I started this conversation in the first place. "Uh... dad, I have someone, a friend of mine. I want to invite her for dinner."

"Oh! That's great!" Mom exclaims excitedly. "Is she your girlfriend?"

"Is she from your school?" Dad probes.

"Is she your classmate?"

"No, yes, yes," I reply. Of course she's from my school. Where else do I make friends? "We are very good friends, we study together, and she's the top in class." Anything to make him say yes without questioning me like a criminal.

He raises his eyebrows with an impressed look. "Wow! You have a study partner!"

I roll my eyes very subtly. "If I'll be leaving soon, I'd want her to enjoy dinner with my family this once."

Annie, who is sitting beside me, pulls the sleeve of my shirt. Her eyes look like they request that I should not to what I'm about to do.

"That's very nice of you. I'd like to meet her. So what's her name?" Mom asks.

Annie interrupts me as she clears her throat. "I have an assignment from school, I want Felix to help me with it tonight."

Dad turns to her. "I thought you are on a school break."

"It's a holiday assignment."

"I can help you if you want," mom offers.

"No need. Felix promised he will do it."

"I did?" I turn to Annie, wondering why she has so cleverly interrupted our discussion, and that lie she so flawlessly made up... she's good.

"What are you doing?!" She scolds me with her teeth, speaking in hushed whispers, "you want to tell daddy about Agnes?"

"Yes? She said she's going to come if I ask dad's permission," I whisper back.

She blinks her eyes in shock. "What! She chose to show herself instead?" She murmurs quietly and intrigues me to question her intention.

"It's going to be the first and probably the final time I'll invite Agnes for dinner with my family. She has welcomed me to her home severally. I want to do this for her just this once."

"Are you sure about this?" The conflicting look on her face holds deep secrets I'm struggling to make some sense of. I guess it's only the young innocent girl talking. I mean, what can possibly go wrong?

"I'm very sure."

"So, what are you helping her with, Felix?" Dad breaks into our whispering conversation.

"I told her I will do it tomorrow," I respond. "So dad, can she come over?"

"As long as she's a good person, she's welcome for dinner."

"Thanks, dad. I'm sure she will be happy to see you."

"I won't be too sure about that," Annie mutters in a low voice.

I turn towards her again. She knows something I don't. Whatever it is, I'll find out eventually.

* # * #

If you have followed this story to this point, you can guess how the story ends, right?