Chapter 11 – Farewell to Friends
Tails could hardly believe that the day when he leaves would come so quickly. It seemed like only yesterday when he first came to England and begun his preparatory course, but it had been two months of studying, making new friends, and reuniting with Blaze the Cat.
It was nearly time to catch the bus. Tails had packed his luggage the night before, and he checked the apartment one more time to make sure nothing was forgotten. Thankfully, everything was packed, including the souvenirs he collected during his stay. He started to feel depressed because it is the last day he will ever see Alex, and probably even Blaze
"Are you sure you will be fine going to the airport on your own?" asked Alex.
"Yes, I am sure," said Tails. "I managed to come here on my own back when I first arrived, remember?"
"Oh yes, I do remember," said Alex as he looked back to when he and Tails first met and became friends. "I just wanted to keep you company in case you get lonely. You just look a little down."
"A bit," said Tails. "But like Blaze said, it's the good times we had together."
"That is so true," smiled Alex. "You have been a great friend, and I'll never forget our two months together."
"And I have learned to be even more independent than before," said Tails. "I'd say that's something to be proud of."
"You certainly have come of age," said Alex.
"So, what is to become of you?" asked Tails. "Will you be staying in this apartment?"
"Yes, I am renting this apartment," said Alex.
Tails readied his luggage. "So I guess this is goodbye," he said gravely.
"Yeah," said Alex. "I am going to miss you, my friend."
"Me too, Alex," said Tails, and they embraced each other with a big long hug. "If you ever plan a vacation of your own, I hope you will come to Australia."
"I'll most certainly consider that," promised Alex. "I really wanted to get to know Sonic a lot better."
"He's a very good friend, and a nice guy," said Tails.
"When you're back at Australia, will you say hello to him for me?" asked Alex.
"You bet I will," smiled Tails.
"Thank you," said Alex.
"You're most welcome," said Tails as he headed out the door. "Well, I must be off now. The bus will be here any minute now."
"Have a safe trip back," said Alex. "And good luck with the future."
"I will, and you too," said Tails. "Goodbye, Alex."
After the bus ride to the airport, Tails checked the airline timetables for the planes, and saw that his flight to Australia is about to depart within a couple of hours. Just before he could proceed towards the terminal, he heard Blaze's voice calling out to him. "Wait up, Tails!" she shouted as she hurried towards him.
"Blaze!" exclaimed Tails. "You have come! So, are you really going on your vacation?"
"About that," said Blaze slowly. "They haven't responded to me about it yet."
Tails suddenly became despondent. "Will they get to you about it soon?"
"I don't know…" said Blaze sadly as she lowered her head.
"That's too bad," said Tails as he suddenly felt a tear stinging his eye.
"I came here to wish you good luck on your journey back home, just in case I don't make it," said Blaze as she hugged Tails. "I am going to miss you very much."
Tails hugged Blaze back, but he was still sad from the news. He wished Blaze would be able to come with him to Australia. "Blaze," he sniffed. "I… I wanted to say that I…"
"I know, I know," said Blaze. "You are the closest friend I ever had right next to Cream."
"Same to you right after Sonic," said Tails. "I'll always remember the times we had together."
"Me too," said Blaze softly as she kissed Tails on the forehead.
"I sure hope we'll see each other again someday," said Tails as he tearfully kissed Blaze on the cheek. He wished nothing more than to be with her forever, but there was nothing he could do to make it happen.
Blaze nodded. She could feel her own tears going down her eyes when she realised how she felt for Tails. This was just too much for her as they finally parted. "Farewell, Tails," she said as she tearfully waved at him.
"Goodbye, Blaze," sobbed Tails as he looked on at the beautiful cat one more time before making his way to the terminal.
Inside the plane, Tails looked sadly out the window. He still has that feeling of emptiness in the stomach as he thought about Blaze. It was then that he finally realised it. He truly loves Blaze, and he never got the chance to tell her his feelings, which made him even sadder. As the plane began to take off, he tearfully lowered his head and cried, thinking that he will never see his beloved Blaze again.