C💚H💜U💛M💙S

Not Final Good-byes

It was Monday morning, which meant that those of us who did not live in Britain had to go home. 

Sunday had been wonderful. We were still running on adrenaline from our Britain's Got Talent experience so we used that energy to be tourists all over the city and some of the countryside. Those of leaving, stocked up on souvenirs and took hundreds of photos each that we promised to upload as soon as we got home so everyone could have copies. 

All thirteen of us piled into the taxi van to the airport. We were going to say our good-bye at the airport so we could stall that moment as long as we could. 

We chatted the whole way to Heathrow about everything but our leaving. It felt like a bunch of close friends, sisters, heading for a day out of shopping or something.

When we arrived at Heathrow, tears started welling in our eyes. Because of TSA rules, those without plane tickets would not be allowed to pass the ticket lines so we had to say our good-byes at the door. We took turns hugging Klee, Victoria, Danii, Sarra, Laura, and Emily. We tried not turn into full on crying but it was really difficult. 

We had gotten to know each other pretty well over the last year working on this. Meeting in person had brought us even closer. Going home seemed like a cruel joke now that we met. 

"We always have the next audition." Klee said logically. 

"That's right. We will back in 2020. That way we have the money and time to get three more songs together." Aleena added.

"I am so looking forward to that." I said through sniffles.

We did a final group hug before Evy, Stella, Anne, Quan, Chloe, Aleena, and I entered the airport to catch our planes home. 

Due to stop-overs, Evy, Chloe, Stella, and Anne were able to book the same flight out. Quan, Aleena and I saw them off as they entered their gate. We gave them final hugs and promised to Skype more. We watched as the gate attendants closed the doors behind them.

"This is just depressing, " Aleena said mumbled.

"Yeah it is." Quan whispered.

We continued walking along gates until we came to Aleena and Quan's gate. They also were able to book the same flight because of a stop over in India before Vietnam. I gave them big hugs before they also got on their plane to head home. 

Because I was the only one headed west, I headed down the airport to find my gate alone. First I stopped at Starbucks to grab a beverage and paper. 

As I sat in the hard blue chair, waiting for my flight, I opened the paper to final results of Britain's Got Talent. There we were with Issy. There were comments about how it was believed we should have won and that if we decide to come back we mostly likely will win. There was a nice article about how we hugged and showed support to Issy when she won; of course we did, we had no hard feelings against the little magician.

I thought about 2020. In reality, it was not that far away. We would all be back here again with our mix of instruments, perfect arrangements, and homages to Ant and Dec. 

It won't be long before the CHUMS are together in person again, taking the stage in Britain once more.