So now I'm here and soon you'll be somewhere else. Your time has come to go...So has mine...And Tomoyo's...Everyone must leave and I don't want to say goodbye yet. But I need to.

No matter how much it hurts.

"Sakura! Sakuraaaa!" A light and happy voice breaks into my thoughts. It's a beautiful new day with bright rays of sunlight and just the right amount of breeze. The perfect day to spend at the park. One should be in a great mood when all these elements fall right into place. But I'm not. I came to the park some time earlier, not wanting to bother Tomoyo and her end-of-year excitement. So it was a surprise when I heard my name as I waded fingers through the chilly fountain water where I was sitting at. Someone as perceptive as her would have discovered me sooner or later. She was no clueless person.

"Sakura, there you are! I've been searching all over for you!" The buoyant dark-haired girl waves as she approaches, her shoulder bag bouncing off her hip .

I'll miss that wave too. I note glumly, a habit I seemed to have picked up lately. I'd point out at any and all the things that I'd miss when everyone went their separate ways. Certain singing birds, the way the classroom desks were arranged, chalk which remained on the blackboard from the previous lesson. This was not a friendly way to cheer myself up.

"Tomoyo, hey. How's it going?" I try to sound happier than I am.

She plunks down on the stone next to me, her grin still on her face. "Great. It's a beautiful day, I'm assured to be heading into a great university, and right now I'm talking with you! What more could I want?"

I can think of a hundred things, but I only echo her listlessly. "Right. What more would you want?"

"Oh, Sakura what's wrong?" Tomoyo's sweetness touches me deeply with that one simple question. Or maybe I'm wanting some attention and care this moment. Whatever the reason, I burst into tears.

"S-Sakura?!" Tomoyo says, startled.

My breath keeps coming out in these gulping gasps and I have to tell myself repeatedly that I have to slow the breathing or soon I'd need a paper bag and perhaps an ambulance. After a struggling minute, I calm enough to speak again. "Sorry," my voice strains, "didn't mean to go off like that. I'm just...thinking about the end of the year. The school year, I mean."

Tomoyo turns very quiet. "I have too. The past couple days."

"But you-"

"Seem so happy?" She glances at me knowingly. "I know that's what it looks like. And I am, but that's because I was accepted to that university. And after that happened, I thought about everything else. Leaving the other girls, leaving you, leaving my mother." A chuckle came. "Even leaving Li crossed my mind as sad."

"Shaoran." The word came without restraint. "It's Shaoran."

Tomoyo's lavender eyes soften. "I'm right, aren't I? That study session you had the while back had more to it than you let on."

I nod. No point in hiding it from her any longer. "I found out he did care for me very much."

"I care for you too," Tomoyo says softly. "I want have a lot of fun before I leave. And we'll definitely keep in touch. The cell phone I gave you, e-mails, and visits!"

Her sunny tone makes her suggestions sound so bright! I can't help but have my spirits raised. She's telling me the same things Shaoran suggested to me before. Only now I was willing to listen. "I'm sure you'll find a way to reach me. You always do!"

She drops on her knees directly in front of me and shook my knees. "Pu-leaaaase? Tell me tell me tell me??"

Her behavior is so unpredictable that I laugh. Crazily. It felt so good. "My s-s-secret, Tomoyo!" She wouldn't stop shaking me.

"But it's been a week! I can't stand it! I need to know what happened with your study date with Shaoran!" More vigorous shaking emphasizes her point.

"S-stop! I'm going to dunk in this water if you don't stop it! And no, no, no! My secret! And it wasn't a date!" My feet attempt to shoo her off by tiny kicks, with some success. Tomoyo falls over backward and once she got laughing, I had to join in.

"So you're never going to tell me, huh? That's okay." Tomoyo still beams.

"Yes, Shaoran's little homework session was more than homework!" I blurt, feeling the sudden urge to rush words out my mouth. Like there wasn't enough time left in the world. "He showed me that he was human. You know, feelings. He even laughed." I told Tomoyo it all, relishing this caring moment.

"Wow, I really did miss out! But thank you for telling me."

I nod, the rush in my veins still flowing. I jump up and take her hands, my eyes training on hers intensely. "Sleepover. Tonight. I don't care who objects, you're coming over. We'll do everything. Pig out, dress up, make-up, create a whole new us- Maybe a new Kero too! Oh, please please please??" I beg, bubbling with juvenile excitement at my idea.

She stands and enthusiastic bouncing and some twirling is her reaction. Then she leans to me, whispering, "Definitely! Yes yes yes! And how about your magic? Can I seem them in action too?"

I laugh. "Like never before."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I blink, my head turning to my bedroom window. It's late in the evening and I'm playing around with my Chinese robe, trying not to think too much. I put down my deep emerald costume and rise from the bed, brushing away my dark bangs with a careless hand. I push open the sliding window and for a full minute, I can't believe what I'm seeing.

The night is raining petals.

Pure and rosy, they fall, some caressing my face as the wafting wind blows them to me. The city isn't being showered, but only my apartment. But why? Why so precisely? I look down and see a happy Sakura and videotaping Tomoyo giggling at the sight of me from their spot on the sidewalk. Sakura holds up the Flower card, showing me one of her beautiful smiles. My view goes upwards, seeing a young girl with short curly hair and a fluffy outfit beam a similar smile before disappearing in the thin air, the last of the rose petals streaming.

"What do you think you're doing?" I try not to sound reprimanding as I grasp a tiny handful of the flowers. I'm not irate. This is a great surprise.

"Taking a walk. We'll be on our way!" Tomoyo answers, not sounding repentant the slightest.

"The card just slipped out of my hand! Sorry about that!" Sakura's innocent grin is priceless. "I'll come by tomorrow morning to see you off."

"Before 10am, okay?" I call back. "I'm leaving for the airport then."

Sakura nods and I wave as they leave, the warmth of the petals in my other hand clutched tight to my chest.

And the warmth is still with me as I stare through the plane's tiny window, out to the flying clouds. They're like white puffs of cotton candy. A blush crosses my face as my fingers touch my cheek, right on the spot where Sakura had kissed me farewell.

I will miss you so much, Sakura. I'll find a way to you again, no matter what.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

On the ground, I stare across the airport and onto the speck of a plane that Shaoran is flying on. I watch it until it merges with the blue sky and the clouds and keep watching it until nothingness. Though sadness is pressing on me and tears are rimming my eyes, little by little I feel myself smiling because a thought comes to mind. One that has always pushed me forward. One I know will be true because I've always believed it with all my heart:

I'll be okay...for sure!

THE END