Awa'atlu College.

Chapter 8

That day, they all wished time would go a little bit slower, but it didn't.

The week flew by and before they knew it, the time had come. Jake and Neytiri had given in their resignations, the kids had been pulled out of school, it was all becoming real.

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THURSDAY, 6 PM
THE SULLY RESIDENCE

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All of their family and friends were currently at the house. Gio and Brooke stood near as they all watched the Sully parents hug Mo'at and Eytukan.

The hugs were long and there was no doubt that Neytiri was crying. She was gripping onto her mother and father like she was a child again, not wanting to let go.

When she finally pulled away, it was the rest of the family's turn to hug their grandparents. "I don't want to go, bibi (grandma)," Tuk cried, gripping onto her grandmother who stroked her hair.

"It's okay, my child. We will see each other again," she smiled, but even Tuk could see the sadness behind her expression.

Lo'ak and Neteyam hugged their grandfather, and both the boys started to get teary. Lo'ak was quick to rub his eyes and get rid of the tears, but Eytukan just laughed. Lo'ak looked at him confused until the man out his hand on his shoulder. "Boy, don't think that wiping your tears makes you any more of a man. A real man isn't afraid to cry."

The boy looked at Eytukan, and for a moment he was still until the tears formed again and he was crying. It was like his grandfather's words flicked a switch in his system, and made him realise that in situations like such, being 'manly' should be the least of his worries. It made him realise that he wasn't ready to live without his grandfather.

He embraced Eytukan tightly, and it was probably the tightest he's ever hugged someone since childhood. His childhood... oh, how he missed it.

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FLASHBACK

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"Vovô (grandpa)!" Lo'ak yelled, though his words came out hoarse. He had been running — he ran all the way down the street to his grandparents' house.

"Lo'ak– what the hell are you doing here, boy?" Eytukan said, stumbling down the stairs and looking at his grandson clutching his knees and panting.

Eytukan didn't know why he even bothered to ask why Lo'ak was suddenly on his doorstep, because it was a common occurrence.

He knew that Lo'ak and Jake clashed a lot. They were two of a kind; two negatives can't balance out, nor can two positives. It was the same deal with these two.

"Come inside, tell me what's wrong," the man said, gesturing for his grandson to enter the house. When he did, they both sat down at the dining table.

"Y'know Lo'ak, I was just like you when I was your age. I never wanted to get along with my parents, but things were different in my day.." Eytukan started. Lo'ak was already interested in the story, because he always loved whenever Eytukan would tell him stories about his upbringing.