#8 The hardest goodbye.

It was the day before Natasha had to leave, well not really the day before but, it was the last day Alex could see her before she leaves. Though Alex was, happy that she could have fun, and be happy and all, he couldn't help wondering what lingers after. Without her leaving, he'd already known that he'll miss her, a lot.

School was on, as usual, but since the exams were over and the classrooms can't be used the freshmen were to be spending their days in the school hall. Which meant, he could see her more often. As no lessons were to be taught anymore (yay) they spent their time playing board games and card games and other stuff you'd do when you're really bored and don't know what to do.

Sometimes, while playing his UNO or whatever with the gang he'd stop and somehow lose his attention and glance over and see what she's up to. She was somehow either opposite where he was, or near him, which was.. cool. Once as he was playing he looked towards her and she somehow noticed, and smiled at him. Whoah. but he smiled back, with butterflies flying around his stomach, hoping she wouldn't notice that, as his heart did a little backflip. Day made, right there. 

It was such a coincidence that the last day he'd see her, she had brought her guitar. He really liked it when she played, yet somehow she never realized how good she really is, she's talented, all right. He'd drift away and listen and remember the time in Mel's house when they both sang and the was she looked at him and oh gosh he was just too mesmerized, the look in her eyes, gosh he'd never noticed before, she had beautiful eyes, though it was just plain brownish but he loved them.

The teacher arranged a little handicraft section for the students and though he hesitated to go, Elena went anyway so he had no choice. But as he saw Ed doing little accessories for Mel, he had to do one for her too. It was the least he could do anyway, knowing that she'd been there for him when he needed someone, and as a little thingy before she leaves. That was the one time he didn't like the fact that he had huge fingers so that made it hard for him to do little dainty craft works.

He didn't care anyway, she means a lot to him.

He ended up with a pair of angel earrings (he still remembered how to make an angel keychain from Cf camp so he twitched a little here and there and voila!) 'That is so cute!' Elena complimented, 'She'll like that, a lot.'

There was another thing, but that's a surprise.

//

She normally goes to Marissa's house to pick up her stuff, and when Alex, Elena and Mel go on their little 'MI' he somehow catches her and they smile for just a second but it makes his day. So he waited where he thought he'll see her.

'Oh gosh, should I give her?' Alex asked Elena, who was waiting with him.

'Come on, if you could give the letter, you can definitely do this!'

'Really?' he started hesitating. Not a good sign. 'Oh, your bus is here, bye! Wish me luck.'

His wait was what he thought was forever, maybe she's spending her last day with her friends in Marissa's house or something, he thought.

He actually planned to wait there, and when she goes to the little spot where she waits for her transport, he'll walk by and talk and then pass the little gift to her. Not as easy as he thought.

After awhile, she came out of the house, somehow she still manages to look pretty even when she's wearing her uniform, he smiled, and waved. He thought it was adorable that she smiles so cute exposing her braces, as she waved back. His heart seemed to beat faster. It was almost as if the whole world blurred out, and she was the only one he saw.

Okay, you got what you wished for, Alex. What now? he started thinking. Don't chicken out, you can do this. 

Well, he ended up standing on the same spot awkwardly for a whole minute. Until, he saw her, walking towards him instead. His heart fluttered.

'My transporter left without me again.' Natasha said with her cute little frown.

'Haha, again?'

'Sadly, yes.'

'Hey, uh, open up your hand.'

She opened up her palm and he dropped the angel earrings there. She looked at it, surprised.

'Thanks,' as she smiled at him.

'Anyways, how you going back?'

'I have no idea. I'll call my mom, maybe I'll wait at Marissa's house.'

'Okay then, I'll stay here till you leave.'

'You don't need to, you know?'

'I want to.'

As they talked, he realized that, this was the last time he'll see her in person (yeah, they'll Skype and all, but it's different.) He'll really miss her when she's gone. While she called her mom, her fringe fell all over her face, and she blew it up, and they both laughed, she's so cute like that, he thought.

'I think I should wait in Marissa's house, my parents aren't free right now so yeah, I have to go. I guess I won't be seeing you till I don't know when so..'

and she hugged him. He'd been wanting this to happen ever since she hugged him on her birthday, he didn't want to let go. He hugged her back.

'You know I'm gonna miss you when you're gone right?'

'I'll be back, silly. And you just patted my guitar, haha.' (He was really awkward when it came to hugs okay.)

Well, he wanted it last longer, how good it felt to have her in her arms. Yet, another part of him sank a little, 'cause he wouldn't be seeing her anytime soon, he won't be waking up to texts he fell asleep waiting for, he won't wake up to send a good morning text to her for now, and lastly he'll miss the late night Skype sessions they have where they just really goof around and it really makes his nights special, she is special.

'I whisper goodbye, I swear it's not for the last time, I know it's not easy, this could never be easy.'

//

He walked home, feeling happy, yet sad at the same time, ambivalence. He reached his room, dumped his bag, and texted her.

'Hey, hope you like the thing. :)'

Her reply made his day even more.

I love it. :) Thank you so much. :')