Always

Chapter 1 - Stirring of the Fates

Present Day

"So this *sob* is goodbye then? You know I'm *sob* still against this *sob* idea!!" Rii said while wiping her tears. She wasn't supposed to cry, in fact she promised herself she won't be too emotional on their way to the airport. Obviously, it wasn't the case. "Yohan, why are you *sob* okay with this? Why *sob* aren't you saying anything?"

Jace, attempting to comfort her best friend, hugged Rii. Not minding his shirt getting soaked with Rii's tears. He knew it will be a while before he could hug her again like this.

"Just because I'm letting this happen, doesn't mean I 'agree' with it, Rii. We both know the final decision still rests on him. And weren't you the one who excitedly helped Jace pack his things last night?" Yohan countered behind Rii. She just stood there, arms crossed, as she looks at the two of them. She knew this would happen, knew that Rii will break, so she must be the strong one. Yohan is usually more composed, yet right now, she's nearing her breaking point too. She also knew that if Jace had any other choice, he wouldn't be leaving. She would've done the same if she were in Jace's shoes. "It's almost time for him to board his plane, Rii. We can't let this end on a sad note."

"You two." Jace said with a hint of sad laughter, patting Rii's back. "And you ask me why I didn't want you here." Jace tried for humor because Rii hasn't stopped yet. "You know I won't easily forget you two, right? We can still talk to one another, there're tons of ways for us to communicate."

"Don't make any promises you can't keep. What if some cute guy catches your attention? How are we supposed to know if he's good enough for you? I can't judge a person with just his picture!" Rii finally stopped bawling her eyes out and asked in all seriousness.

To some people who didn't know Rii as much as Jace and Yohan do, it would seem that it's a friend worrying about something trivial. But to those two, Rii is dead serious.

"I just don't want you hurt all over again." She continued as she looked at Jace in the eyes.

"You really think I'm going there to find a boyfriend? Are you forgetting why I'm leaving in the first place?" Jace answered laughing at Rii's ridiculous albeit serious questions, yet the two didn't miss the sadness in his tone. "I'm going there to be with my Mom. I've told you two how she's been asking me to live with her these past few years, right? I just want to start over. And doing it with her feels like the right thing to do."

"If that's what makes you happy, then we aren't your best friends if we stop you." Yohan said quickly before Rii can say anything more. Like she said earlier, they mustn't end this with sadness. "We can't let him miss his flight, Rii. So better give him our present before you forget. With all your drama. Seriously Rii, we'll see Jace soon." Yohan continued as he pulled Rii away from Jace 'cause she knew Rii won't let Jace go herself.

And like Yohan predicted, Rii did forget about the gift. She won't admit it though. Not in front of her two best friends. Ever. So she quickly took the paper bag beside Jace's luggage. And before Jace could ask what it is, Rii already answered.

"It's just a sketchbook and a few colored pencils. We know you already have one but since you'll be in an unfamiliar place, we thought that you'd like to draw places, and things you'd find interesting. Or some handsome guy you see. And besides, what if a mall is far from your new place? So you'd have one at the ready." Rii said with a smile on her face, like she didn't cry her heart out earlier. It amuses Jace how his friend could make a complete 180 out of her emotions, resulting him with a chortle. Of course Jace knew that that bag was suspicious. He knew it wasn't his and was about to ask the two about it, but Rii started her drama and his curiosity forgotten. He was reminded only when Rii handed it to him.