CHAP. 12 Last Words
Selphie couldn't believe her ears when she heard Kairi over the phone.
"Kairi…are you sure?"
"Yes, of course I'm sure! Why else would I be crying?"
"I can't believe he's leaving. Where to?"
"I don't know, I left the house. I just…couldn't look back, seeing his face like that."
"Well…if Sora is moving we should all hang out again. One…last time?"
"Yeah…one last time…..Bye, Selph," Kairi's hand shook when she put down the phone, and she lie on her bed to cry some more.
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"We should head to the pier. It was our first time together after all," Tidus suggested to them at school.
"Actually…I was thinking we could sit at my house and talk…just talk," said Sora, "That's what I'll miss the most."
So, the afternoon before Sora had to leave for his new home in Ohio, they sat in his room to talk. Movers took some last things out to the moving van.
"You'll have to mail us and call us and e-mail us everyday!" Selphie told him.
Sora smiled, "No worries. I'll miss you all too much not to do that."
"Well, you better. We will want to know what Ohio is like! Tell us everything, k?" Tidus said.
"Okay."
"SORA!" his mom called, "C'mon down, sweetie!"
"Already?" he turned to his friends, "Let's go. You can all wave goodbye if you want."
As they walked down the stairs, Sora noticed something.
"Uh…Mom? Why are all the lights off?"
"SURPRISE!" everyone he knew from school popped up as the lights came on.
Sora stared in amazement, "What's all this for?"
Riku put a hand on his shoulder, "I just decided to invite some people for a party. You gotta go away in style, right?" he grinned.
"Mom, did you know about this?"
"Sure did. We're not leaving 'til later tonight. Besides, it'll be fun, don't you think?"
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Towards the end of the party, Sora and Kairi stood against one of the walls and had a quiet conversation.
"It won't be the same without you, Sora."
"Yeah, I know…same here."
"Do…do you think it'll still work out?"
"What?" He turned to face her, wondering what she meant.
"You know…Us? Long-distance relationships don't always last."
"Kai, I know it may seem like it'll never be the same…but you're always with me. And…I'll always be with you, even when I'm far away."
"But still-"
Sora hugged her tight, "Don't worry. It'll all be okay. We'll be fine."
"How do you know?"
"I dunno…..I just…do, I guess."
"Thanks, Sora."
"For what?"
"Being there for me."
That made him bring Kairi even closer, and he closed his eyes, reminiscing about all the times they shared. Man, I'm gonna miss her.
Then, as they parted, Sora took her hand and they slowly walked over to his mom.
"Hey…Mom?" he scratched the back of his head.
"Yes, dear?"
"Can you…please do me a favor?"
She could tell this was important, "Sure, what is it?"
"Could we wait until morning to leave? I really want to spend some more quality time with Kairi before I go. I…I'll miss her the most outta everyone."
There was a pause…Then…...
"Okay…if you really want to. We can wait a little longer."
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That night, they took a walk outside.
"Sora?"
"Hmmmm?"
"Can we go to the hill? You know...the one in the park. I just wanna sit together again."
"Sure, Kai. Whatever you want. Tonight is for you."
They soon sat on the hillside in each other's arms, and fell asleep.
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The car was all set to go.
The moving van had already left.
Everyone stood in the driveway, ready to say their farewells.
"Okay, Sora, we need to leave soon. I'll be in the car waiting," his mom told him as she walked away.
Sora sighed, and looked at all of them, "Well…I guess I'll be seeing you guys later."
"Come visit whenever you want to. I'm sure any of our parents wouldn't mind you staying at our house," Selphie suggested.
"Sounds good, Selphie. Thanks."
He used his hand to wipe the tears that came, and he waved to them.
"Don't be a stranger!" Tidus teased.
Riku exclaimed, "I'll call you soon!"
Kairi watched as Sora began to walk away, and she couldn't take it. She ran to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, weeping.
He turned around to look at her, and the tears still wouldn't stop rolling down his cheeks.
Kairi soon gathered the strength to glance up at him, "Sora..."
They embraced and didn't want to let go. Then, Sora whispered softly into her ear:
"I love you, Kairi."
You could hear Kairi's choking sobs as she reluctantly pulled away, looking into his eyes.
Sora didn't want to part yet, and leaned in to kiss her softly.
"Goodbye."
Sora's mom couldn't help but notice what was going on and thought to herself, I didn't know it was going to be this hard for him…