I'm SO sorry for not writing in such a long time! I actually thought of giving up for a long time… but I'll finish it, 'kay? Plus school has been really filling up my schedule! oO But I'll try to continue!

I also thought of having her NOT pick up the phone, but then that would be boring… xD

Well enjoy!

P.S.: I just remembered that in one of my old stories I'd put the Japanese term and the translation in parenthesis, so I think I'll do the same for this… if it feels kind of awkward, tell me!

`'`'`'`'`'

My fingers trembled as I reached for the cell phone to open it. Its sudden flip shocked me back into reality, and my reflexes told me to hold it against my ear.

"Hello?" I mumbled nervously, being clueless of what response awaited me. But what I least expected was the silence that seemed to take over.

"Echizen?" I called out to him, feeling a bit awkward for calling him for his last name. But I felt the distance that our fight had created.

"I'm here." He sighed heavily. Even though none of us spoke, it's as if we were saying everything. Telling each other how our distance would never be easily fixed.

"Echizen…" I suddenly blurted out, still feeling the awkwardness of the name I had never called him by. "Ore(I)… ano(um)…"

"I'll meet you at the airport." He spoke seriously, as if this were a business deal and not a personal matter. "We can't solve this out without being face-to-face." Tu Tu Tu Tu went the phone, warning me that he had hung up.

That statement made me realize how serious matters had gotten. To me, the distance had made the situation less… real. But now I'd have to face it – literally.

I packed my bags solemnly, and my father, who knows me much too well, noticed it. But I guess he figured that I had all kinds of emotions now that we were moving and that he should just let me handle them on my own. Plus, he wouldn't have known how to help me deal with them anyways. It was a distance I had created on purpose.

So, as I said goodbye to all of my school colleagues and teachers (with my mind in Japan), I began wondering how you don't know what you have until you lose it.

And I guess I hadn't really felt that yet. I wouldn't until I would be boarding the plane. Until I really realize that it's too late to ever see them again.

Just like it's too late to make things go back to the way they were with my best friend.

And the days actually passed by quickly. I was too busy packing and researching to talk to the people I knew. I had one small family party to say goodbye. But other than that, minutes seemed like hours and hours seemed like minutes. Time was no longer something I could grasp a notion of.

And when I was pulled back into reality… it was my last day in Brasilia.

I'd miss its 50th birthday. I'd miss Gabi. I'd miss… everything. But it wouldn't be a complete loss.

As my iPod, as if a work of destiny, played Plane – Jason Mraz, I waited for the cab driver to pull over at the airport. As expected, Gabi was waiting for me in tears – a sight that brought myself to tears as well. It was heartbreaking to see how our friendship would be torn apart this way.

My father was patient to wait for our long hug that made me lose sense of time once more. I didn't want to let go. And it felt like I wouldn't. Like I shouldn't. But I had to.

And, to my surprise, a black silhouette that creeped up behind us brought us to a state of shock.

"Alex!" I gasped. She had been my friend since, well, forever, and we had never lost touch. I'd tell her of my life, she'd tell me of hers, and we'd share secrets and advice. And now she was standing right in front of me.

I pulled her into a warm embrace that brought us both to tears. We were much too happy to see each other. And that's when I realized that she lived in the Kantou region as well.

Finally, all three of us stayed in one great hug, and my father (being patient enough for the last half an hour) warned us of the plane. Pulling away with difficulty (as if pulling away three magnets), we looked one last time into each others eyes longingly – as if the plead in our eyes could change the situation. And if they could, my gawd, they certainly would.

In the plane, when my crying had somewhat ceased, another thought pushed away the images of my two best friends. The image of a third best friend that awaited me – probably with all of the anger and bitterness held from time – at my next stop. There was no running away from it. He had already texted me asking the time and date I'd come at. And I'd answered. Couldn't I have just lied and escaped this all?

But I owed him at least an explanation.

I tried imagining a million excuses to explain my behavior (which was a bit useless, if you ask me), and soon I was sleeping.

`'`'`'`'`'

…we have… Tokyo… unfasten seat… take baggage… careful… moved during flight…

The words that I could make out in my grogginess warned me – it was time.

Oh, gawd.

The stress seemed unbearable. It was as if all of my emotions were now collapsing.

You know when your teacher explains that, by dilating anything by the scale factor of 0, it collapses to a point?

I've been dilated by the scale factor of 0. Because I felt as if I was being pushed in by the walls. I felt as if someone had tied a knot on my stomach – and I wouldn't be surprised if it was true.

Alright. Deep breath.

My heart accelerated at every step. I felt as if all eyes were on me, paying close attention to my every move, looking at me with disappointment and bitterness for my horrible behaviour.

And my heart finally jumped.

I came to a sudden stop, along with my breathing, at the sight of a familiar silhouette leaning casually against a column. And from the top of its head there was a small line, indicating a cap.

I truly couldn't bring myself to breathe properly at that moment, but I walked up to him before I lost all courage. And, trust me, I was losing it.

I stood there for quite a long time, just standing from the other side of the column, asking myself what the hell was I doing there. And my cracked voice broke out.

"Echizen?" I stammered. As he turned I saw in his eyes an unexpected expression that struck me. As he took a step forward and my heard leaped once more (not knowing what I had in store for me), he suddenly said the words that officially made me burst into tears.

`'`'`'`'`'

HAHAHA I'm so evil! Me and my cliffhangers! xD Hahaha… well, good luck coping with your curiosity, my friends! Because you will have to wait until the next chapter to find out what happens! *dan dan dannnnnn…*

*sigh* I love me! ^^ Please rate and review, wether you liked it or not! :D haha…