When we came out of the chapel, Sister Helen was waiting for me. Seeing Heero with me left her almost speechless, but she kept her wits about her enough to invite him to stay for dinner. I didn't argue with her, since Friday nights we had more to eat than usual to make up for the rest of the week.
After introducing Heero to both Father Maxwell and Sister Helen, we sat down to dinner. Father Maxwell and Sister Helen had their work cut out for them, grilling Heero on how he had come to know me, how long we had known each other, and so on. Thankfully, Heero was good at twisting the truth and he also gave them some outright lies to protect me. I began to like him—and appreciate him—even more than before.
When dinner was over, I pried Heero away from Father Maxwell and Sister Helen and we went back to my room. I had loosened up considerably after seeing that Father Maxwell and Sister Helen approved of his being my friend, and that he didn't mind their questions. Still, I think he was glad to be back alone with me.
Like I had explained to him beforehand about moving, I told him that I wanted to get out as soon as possible so that I wouldn't have time to think about it and change my mind. He seemed to understand my reasons, and after calling Trowa to come and pick us up he helped me pack up what little I had. It all fit into my backpack and two medium-sized boxes.
Sitting together on my bed after we finished, waiting for Trowa, we planned out how we were going to sneak the boxes out. After making our master plan, I helped Heero get past Father Maxwell and Sister Helen so he could go outside and wait for Trowa.
I waited patiently inside for him to return. When he did, I sat him back down with Father Maxwell and Sister Helen so they could finish their questioning of him—while I took everything out to Trowa's car. On my first trip, I took out my backpack, sword, and the lighter of the two boxes.
"What's with the box?"
When he called, Heero hadn't explained to him that I would be sneaking out. "I'm leaving. Zechs invited me to join you," I told him. He looked surprised, not knowing the whole story, but accepted it. "I've just got one more box, and then I'll get Heero and say goodbye."
He nodded, and I went back inside to get the last box. Heero's distraction was working to perfection, and I got the second box out too without a hitch. When I returned, I went back to the kitchen where Heero and Father Maxwell were talking while Sister Helen finished washing the dishes. Heero knew his cue, and started to wrap up the conversation.
"It's been nice meeting you, but it seems my ride's here," he said, looking up at me as I nodded. He and Father Maxwell both stood up, and shook hands.
"And it's been nice meeting you too, young man. Have a care in the dark, and may God be with you."
"Drop by again, won't you?" Sister Helen added, turning to wave to him.
"I will," he promised, although I knew it would probably turn into a lie. He walked up to me, and I turned and walked with him to show him out.
"Tell Trowa to wait for me," I whispered to him at the side door, and he nodded and went out. I closed the door and took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment to relax before I went to say my goodbyes.
Sister Helen was drying the dishes when I came back, and Father Maxwell was sitting at the table listening to the news on the radio.
Standing in the doorway, I took another deep breath. "I'm leaving."
Sister Helen looked up. "What?"
"I said, I'm leaving."
She set the plate she was drying down carefully. Father Maxwell looked up and turned off the radio. "What?" she asked again, but I knew she had heard me.
"I'm going to go, I'm going to move out. I know you've taken care of me all this while, and I haven't exactly been the most grateful, but I have my reasons and I hope you'll understand. Goodbye."
Without another word, and without waiting for their reply, I turned and left.