Heather went rigid, sensing something was friend had never sounded so serious before.
Cracker took a deep breath before spilling everything that had happened the previous day.
"They invited me to join Thunderclan."
Cracker closed her eyes. "And I'm going to say yes."
Heather's eyes clouded over and her tail drooped a bit.
Forcing a weak smile, she said, "And you were worried I was going to leave you, huh?"
Cracker smiled. "I will never forget you. If I even forgot for a second, I would never forgive myself."
Heather genuinely smiled this time.
She would never forget the time when they had solved some stray cat's quarrel, or the time when Cracker's other friend had died and she had helped her through it.
Heather could feel the tears threatening to spill, but she pushed them back.
"I guess this is goodbye then."
Cracker smiled sadly. "Goodbye means forever."
The orange tabby jumped off the fence and padded towards the woods, Heather staring after her.
"Cracker?"
The she-cat turned around at the sound of her name.
"Nothing lasts forever. Even goodbyes."
Cracker nodded before turning away again.
After Cracker had disappeared into the bracken and ferns, Heather turned her back and finally let loose the tears.
