The Flyer

EPILOGUE 02

The dinner at the Princes' was just like the old days, but more reminiscent rather than in the present. They spoke about the past much more, and whenever they talked about the present, they would compare it to they're past.

Valyra found it endearing, but she was no longer the exact same Valyra and felt rather happy with how things turned out, like how she can see how much of a brat she would tend to be, or how she would actually be someone who thinks of things her way and believes things would go the way she thinks they would. She was proud, and these days, she was significantly less proud.

She was glad to know that nothing has changed either with her relationship with the Princes.

Afterwards, she and Alex left to meet up with the rest--Kelly, Maddie, Claire, and Ryan. Onyx and Froida weren't home, so they couldn't join in.

They were all the same yet different.

Valyra didn't think they would gather like this just after so long, and even so, she was sad to note that they were still incomplete. She didn't know whether to be happy or upset, but either way, she just felt so thankful.

Her friends were all happier and okay.

Ryan... looked so different, not in features but in the way he carries himself and interacts.

Kelly was still exactly the same, and Maddie was more quiet but even more elegant.

Claire was more open, just like how she used to be back when we first met...

She felt tears streaming down her face all of a sudden, so she scrambled to turn around and wipe them away quickly, but she knew that it was to no avail when they all sent her smug and knowing looks, eliciting a laugh out of her. These people who she grew up with may have changed, but they still felt like home. No others made her feel as comfortable as they did, and she felt herself smile a little more.

"Have you guys seen the new billboard at Times Square?" Kelly gushed.

Apparently, Valyra wasn't the only one who did a double-take because everyone turned to her with wide eyes. Excitement and Kelly don't often go together.

Kelly wasn't deterred by her friends questioning eyes. Instead, she proceeded to explain what caused her to react that way, much more composed this time. "My aunt contracted a five-foot-one nineteen-year-old Filipino as a model, and I just realized how much of a trendsetter my family is in fashion. It makes me really proud. The model... reminds me of a miniature Valyra." She turned to her long-time best friend. "Have you met her?"

Valyra shook her head, a little confused. "No, I haven't. What's her name?"

"BRENNON!"

They heard the bells from the ice cream parlor's door suddenly clinking together, and a young man probably in his late teens or early twenties stalked into the shop after a short young lady.

"He's Max's mortal frenemy," Alex muttered to me. "Dylan Woods."

"Frenemy?" Valyra sputtered, wanting to laugh out loud. The name was familiar, though, but not familiar enough to be dwelled on.

He nodded with a chuckle. "It's funny, but it's serious. Max doesn't take it all too seriously, but he does, but he's definitely more indifferent to that status than Max is.

The guy--Dylan--grabbed the elbow of the girl and whispered angrily to her. The girl looked at him with big, focused eyes, but didn't show any reaction on her face. They left with a plastic of food that the guy paid for. It was strange, making the gathered friends exchanged confused and surprised glances.

"Nothing bad was happening there or anything, right?" Ryan asked, bewildered. 

"No, no," Kelly finally said. "That girl was my aunt's new model, and the guy is my cousin's fiance. He and his cousin are helping my cousin around since they're really close friends."

"Terry?" Claire asked. "Woah, fiance? What?"

Kelly nodded in confirmation and shrugged. "Family friends."

As if that explained everything, Valyra thought. These things are usually done because of a negotiation or a debt, and she decided that it was probably the latter. She was glad she didn't have to go through any of that considering how active her father is in the business world.

The friends all finished eating and spent the whole day together.

For a moment, it was just like before everything changed. All the laughing, chattering, and bantering stayed the same all these years despite the long time they haven't spent together. The freedom for a moment, surged through their veins, and they were young again, maybe not in appearance, but deep down in their hearts and up in their minds.

Valyra smiled as they drove back home.

This wasn't a new start. Contrary to what she had though eight years ago, this wasn't a new start at all.

This was a continuation--continuation of their lives, of their memories, of their bond with each other. They may have all changed in some way, but to her, they have all just gotten closer and closer to who they're meant to be, and she felt happy.

She dove into her bed that night with a smile and an ease that helped fall asleep in comfort and peace.

Tomorrow, she was going back becoming a more active model, and she hoped that her brother would stop by.

Nik...

She and Nik haven't spoken just as long as she had been gone. The only time she heard of anything related to him was when her father spoke of him. She was ready to put the past behind. Was he? Or was there something about what happened that bothered him much more than it bothered her that she had to make amends for?

For a moment...

She hope that she would experience two kinds of "for a moments." There's the usual moment, where it goes by in just a quick snap, and the other moment--the kind that lasts forever, just like in Beauty and the Beast. For her brother, she hoped it was the former, and with her friends she hoped it was the latter.

The next day, Valyra was up and ready to face the world. Right before she left home, she didn't forget to thank God for all her blessings so far. It won't always be good times, but she believed she was finally ready to reach for her dreams.

Next stop...

Toby's Diner.