Find your faith

Chapter 128: Friendship Finale

John's POV
Later that day
East Coast Park
"Are you guys ok?" Lucas asked sceptically. "You and Crystal have to go to China tomorrow, and you have to get to the airport by 6am."

"I'm perfectly fine," Ethan replied with a big grin. "We have both agreed to pack our luggage prior. Now, let's celebrate our EOY success with a barbecue!"

Crystal and Chloe assured us they'd take care of the food, so naturally I decided to play! Definitely, because it was a good change in pace from my usual online games and reading I was accustomed to. Taking out the bubble wand I brought from home, I blew some bubbles in the sky, which lit up YZ and Nicole's faces for sure. They admired the bubbles in the air, which made me look at the rainbow circles from a different perspective. On a weekday evening after we've all gotten back our results that shone, the rainbow bubbles were the perfect cherry on top to such a perfect day.
Nicole's POV
"You guys brought mutton from home?" I screamed in terror as Chloe and Crystal explained to everyone what they had cooked for the barbecue dinner. They had brought chicken from home, vegetables to make chicken and vegetable skewers, and to finish the barbecue, grilled fish and mutton. As they presented the golden brown skewers in front of everyone, they explained to everyone they had gotten the mutton from their father as he had recently recalled to Dubai for a fashion designing conference, which calmed everyone down. But enough yapping, I'm going to try out the skewers Chloe cooked. It wasn't characteristic of her to cook anyway; so I was intrigued by what surprised her cooking brought. She has had many "cute" accidents in the kitchen before...
Flashback
2 years back
1 Faith had FCE cooking lessons one day, and we were cooking spaghetti bolognese. Chloe was in charge of cooking the pasta, so she was boiling the pasta in the pot of water while I was mincing the chicken for the pasta. All of a sudden, I saw Crystal, Fiona Chan, Samantha and someone else peer into the window, and that's when disaster was ready to brew.
-
Chloe: OMGOMGOMG HIII JIEJIEEEEE

Crystal: Hi Chloe. Having fun at FCE?

Chloe: Oh, I can't say for sure. We usually do old boring lessons where they just talk and talk. Today we're handling the real deal. Can't you believe it?

Crystal: Don't talk to me, look at your pot!
-
When I heard Crystal's words, I turned my head around frantically, where the pasta had bent down to the kitchen fire and burnt brightly. The pasta that touched the fire turned charcoal black and burnt brightly, so Chloe and I were screaming for a teacher's help. The teacher fortunately put out the fire, but Chloe, Crystal, Fiona Chan, Samantha and Shay (that's what I was told her name was) all got a dressing down for being careless. I, however, was spared because I was mincing the meat for the pasta.
Present day
The chicken meat didn't have a bloody smell, and it didn't feel like I was eating brown rocks either. The vegetables actually tasted good. I have no idea if it was because of Crystal's direction or if it's because Chloe is finally growing up. Either way, I didn't have to grimace the whole time, which was good for a change.
Ethan's POV
Along the beach waves
Ethan: So you did remember that pasta incident from Sec 1!

Nicole: Yeah, and it did tickle my funny bone for a moment. She really has grown up huh? Finally being able to cook without a single mishap...like the Chloe that always had an incident when we cooked for FCE is gone.

Ethan: Nah, I'd say she's got a long way to go.

Nicole: What do you mean?

Ethan: You don't see her at geography.

Nicole: That's when she says all that nonsense, right?

Ethan: Haha, yes. She has never stopped complaining about her seat since it got swapped, and it happens in DMs too. Also she's still making it about her hobbies unless I prompt her.

Nicole: So, what's your decision?

Ethan: She's only going to be a classmate from now on.

Nicole: Now, is the perfect time to tell her your real feelings. There's a saying: "The sunset is beautiful, isn't it?" It's time for this story in your social life to end, but you know you have ended beautifully. And now, we have a perfect colourful sunset. I'll get Chloe.
-
Chloe: Ethanol! What's up?

Ethan: Look at this sunset! Isn't it beautiful?

Chloe: Yeah, it is!

Ethan: Dummy, you don't get it.

Chloe: Get what?

Ethan: (raises voice) I wasn't meaning the sunset in front of us! How surprising is it for you to scrap through all your literature tests and then throw a tantrum at me and Nicole when we get distinctions?

Chloe: It's something else?

Ethan: I was referring to the saying "The sunset is beautiful, isn't it?"! (softer) That means our friendship had beautiful moments but it's all going to be over the moment we leave this beach.

Chloe: (raises voice) What do you mean? I don't get it!

Ethan: I think it's time we move on and go our own paths. I don't know if your new personality was an act but if it is, then I think it's best we separate. I don't see a forever with you, not even as friends.

Chloe: (raises voice even more) But I thought we were going to have our wedding here, at East Coast Park! And then Nicole would be ringbearer, Simon would give us a speech about our budding relationship since Primary 3–

Ethan: If you want such a fancy wedding with me, I think you must be in the wrong body. Go and do that with someone that can even tolerate a day with you.

Chloe: H-huh?

Ethan: After all, I don't see a forever with you. Go chase someone that does.

John: Ethan! Were you able to tell Chloe what you've been wanting to tell her?

Ethan: Yes!
runs to the rest of the compass
Lucas: So what's going to happen now? Are we going to replace her?

Ethan: We're keeping her. The unfriending is more of me and her, so you guys can keep her in the chat. I'll probably reply more to your messages and less of hers.

Lucas: Ethan, I'm so proud of you. You followed your heart; not the crowd.

Ethan: Thanks.

Lucas: Don't thank me, what are you waiting for? Now go! Go and run for the greater light with the one that deserves you!

Lucas + John + YZ + Nicole: Crystal!