A/N: Three updates in one month? *Gasp* I think that's a personal record I won't break anytime soon. XD (Then again, the chapters are getting shorter and shorter, so maybe I shouldn't be too proud of myself lol). Anyways, Terra's nineteen and Aqua's eighteen. I know their relationship seems all cute now, but just five more chapters to go and the drama can begin...

Thanks: Walker of Nothing, AquiXia, TopazDragon98, MaroonAngel of Darkness, HawkRider, xsunny15x, and outofthesun, my beta. :)

~ "By giving you this locket… I promise I'll never forget about you and all those great memories of us together. I'll always cherish them, no matter what happens." ~

11) Locket

The silence in the room was almost as palpable as a thick curtain of smoke. Terra took another deep, steadying breath. He was extraordinarily nervous and to be honest, he had good reason to be. His cobalt blue eyes were fixed on Aqua and he waited impatiently for her to open the little present he'd given her for her eighteenth birthday. In that instant, he couldn't help but wonder why she always took her sweet time doing so. Or maybe it was a girl thing he would never understand? Because if he had been in her place, he definitely would've shredded the gift wrap seconds ago. It was almost as though she was doing it on purpose, just to see how far she could go until he would explode.

Just when he let out a frustrated sigh, Aqua finally opened the small box in her hands and gasped when she realized what was in it. For a moment, she was at a complete loss of for words, which was more than evident, because all she could do was stare at the present. Slowly and oh so carefully, as if it could break at the slightest movement, the bluenette took the gift, a silver locket with a star-shaped pendant, out of the box. It was so new, untouched, pure even. It even glistened when it hit the light. The blue-haired young woman knew though why he'd chosen astar-shaped pendant, showing once again how much he really knew her.

"Open it, there's more to it," Terra said, desperately trying not to sound impatient.

His friend did as she was told and saw that the left side of the pendant was empty. The other side, however, contained a single photo: a small portrait of Terra. Judging from his muscular form, it was a recent photograph, too.

"So you'll never forget me when you go to uni," he explained softly.

Aqua looked up at him, blinking a couple of times to get rid of the sudden tears that threatened to spill. She was so incredibly moved by this gesture that she feared that if she started crying now, she wouldn't be able to stop.

She let out a rather shaky laugh and stepped closer to the brunet to hug him. "Silly. How could I ever forget about you? Besides, it's not like we'll never see each other again."

The dark haired young man tightened his hold on her, while whispering, "True. I'll visit you at least twice a week, but still. You may never know…"

At this, she managed a laugh. "Well, that's even more than you do now. But thanks. I appreciate it."

Terra rolled his eyes, before he got that serious look on his face again. It seemed that he didn't like the fact that they both went to different universities just as much as her. Whereas she was heading off to Destiny Islands, Terra already went to the local university.

He stepped away, so he could look at Aqua. "By giving you this locket… I promise I'll never forget about you and all those great memories of us together. I'll always cherish them, no matter what happens."

It was silent for a moment, as Aqua let those words sink in, but then… "Terra, is that supposed to console me? You don't even remember what you had for lunch today!"

Terra opened his mouth to protest… only to find out she was right, unfortunately. "That's different," he muttered.

"I'm sure it is..." She hesitated for a moment, before giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you."

Aqua wasn't only thanking him for the present, but for everything he'd done for her and with her. It seemed appropriate in that moment.

A/N: Next chapter: Terra raised a finely arched eyebrow. "…You can't be serious about this."

That, and the introduction of two new characters... sort of.