Flashback:

"I'm tired!" a four-year-old brunette wailed, settling herself on the grass, with no attempt to move.

The exasperated five-year-old boy shouted, "Not now Mia, we're reaching soon!"

"But my feet hurts, Ryan!" Mia pouted.

"Alright. Come on. I'll carry you!" the little blond boy shouted. Mia giggled, she knew this trick always work. They reached the tree house.

THEIR tree house to be exact. It was a gift from Ryan's father on his fourth birthday. Fully decorated by its owner and his mischevious companion, as a result, it was coated in black,with splashes of yellow(Mia's favourite colour) and green(Ryan's favourite). It was furnished with an oak bed, closet, dressing table (Mia insisted!)not to mention tons of prank tools(their hidden weapons against the "Rockton Brothers" which they called the "Rotten Bullies").Mia jumped off Ryan's back and started towards the treehouse.

"Last to reach will owe the other a promise!" she shouted.

"Hey! Thats not fair!" Ryan protested, chasing Mia who was already making her way up the tree.

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"I win! You owe me one promise!" Ryan watched as Mia said wistfully, her eyes twinkling in delight.

"Mia, I have something to tell you," he said. Usually, Mia would have laughed it off as a joke, but she could tell Ryan was serious this time. "Granny's dying," Mia gasped. Granny's dying!

But she was perfectly alright that time she visited! "and daddy said we are going to move over to take care of her." Move over! But California is so far away from here!

"No! You can't!" Mia cried, hugging Ryan tightly.

"Don't cry, we will keep in touch through letters, I will write to you everyday, I promise!" Ryan said in a soothing tone, while stroking his princess's wavy hair. Ryan can't bare to see her cry.

Everytime she did, he felt as if his heart breaking. Pain beyond imagination. He hated to know that he was the reason for her tears this time.

"You can't leave me. Ryan. " Mia said into his shirt which was now soaked with her flowing tears. To Mia, Ryan was her best friend, who never failed to protect her. He was always there to comfort her when she was hurt, he was there to stand up to the bullies who make fun of her. He was the only one who cared. But now, he was going away. Mia wiped her tears.

"When will you be back?"she asked in a soft whisper. He paused. He couldn't help but stared back at her mesmerising brown eyes, which were threatening to spill tears again.

"I don't know!"Ryan replied. It could be forever, but he didn't intend to let Mia know. He wouldn't risk seeing her hurt anymore. Especially not by him.

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At the airport:

"Promise me that you will come back for me," Mia sticks out her little pinkie, waiting for Ryan to accept. Instead he took out a ring, with a tiny dragon and Mia's name carves on it. The craftmanship was exquisite. It was perfect for her.

Ryan slipped it on her outstretched pinkie and said," I promise." with that he kissed his princess softly on the sheeks for the last time.

"Its time to go, Ryan," Narcissa said as she laid her hand on the boy's shoulder. Ryan walked through the checking panels to board the flight. As the door closed gently, he caught one last glimpse of Mia, her face wet from fresh tears, waving goodbye at him.

"I'll be back"Ryan whispered. It was not a statement. But a promise.