Thomas walked home on foot instead of chugging back in engine form. He felt exhausted and didn't want to push himself. The walk took a while, and when he finally opened his front door, he found his dad waiting in the living room.
Thomas offered a nervous smile as he stepped inside. He knew his dad was proud of him, but he couldn't help feeling anxious about what his dad might really think. "Thomas," his dad began, "I must ask—what made you change your mind?"
Thomas had almost headed to his room, but he paused and met his dad's eyes. "I... um..." he stuttered. He wasn't entirely sure himself. Maybe it was because of Carter, or his friends. Or perhaps it was that moment on stage when all the students embraced him as he transformed into the engine.
It probably was all of that combined.
After a moment of hesitation, Thomas decided to share everything with his dad. His father beamed with pride—after all, Thomas had spent so long feeling insecure about his powers, and this was a huge step forward. Yet, there was one big problem.
"You said it came on when Carter kissed you?" his dad asked.
Thomas's face flushed. It felt odd discussing his love life with his parent. "Y-Yeah..." he admitted.
"Then it seems your power is still deeply tied to your emotions. I think that's why you haven't transformed into an engine in a long time—you simply haven't felt such intense emotions. At least, not since—" his dad began.
"Since the incident when I was eight?" Thomas finished for him. His father sighed and nodded.
"But you mentioned that you've changed a few times in the past few weeks. Why is that?"
Thomas thought back to the month since he'd become part of Mei's friend group—the day it all began, and then again when he realized how much he cared for Carter. All those moments of emotional surge had triggered his transformations. That realization made him decide he needed to go to the Island and practice controlling his power.
But it also made him wonder—what's the point of isolating himself on the Island if he's just going to be away from everyone? Why would he need to practice transforming back and forth so that he can maintain control?
"You'll have to see the Island for yourself, Thomas. That might be your answer," his dad replied.
Thomas wasn't entirely satisfied with that response, but he knew he wouldn't get any clearer answers. "Oh... Dad, when do we leave tomorrow?" he asked.
"Oh, to save money, I won't drive you to the airport. We'll take the train instead. Your flight to Manchester is at 6 P.M., so we should reach England by about 8 A.M.," his dad explained.
Thomas nodded. "Um... is it alright if I stop by school during breakfast to say goodbye to my friends?"
"Of course! Why would I say no?" his dad replied with a smile.
Thomas grinned and then he headed toward his bedroom. "Oh—" his dad interrupted, pointing toward Thomas's room, "I want you to pack some of your stuff. I already threw some clothes in a suitcase—jackets and warm clothes, too. The weather in the UK, and on the Island, can be unpredictable."
Thomas nodded and made his way to his bedroom. "And don't forget your laptop!" his dad reminded him.
The next morning, Thomas set out for school. His dad had left the suitcase at home, and Thomas had his school bag packed with extra clothes and his laptop. As he walked down the driveway, he spotted Carter waiting outside.
"Carter!" Thomas exclaimed, running toward him and pulling him into a tight hug. Carter returned the embrace with a giggle and planted a quick kiss on Thomas's cheek.
"Hey Thomas," Carter said. After a moment, he tilted his head. "Wait—why do you have your school bag?"
"Hm? Oh! I'm just heading to school to say goodbye to Mei and the others," Thomas explained.
"Oh, okay! I thought you were leaving early for your trip to the Island—that's why I'm here," Carter replied.
"Nah, my flight is at 6 P.M. Dad said he'd take the train to the airport," Thomas clarified.
Carter grinned mischievously. "A train riding a train?"
"Shut up—," Thomas chuckled and playfully nudged Carter. Soon, they started walking together toward the school.
"Since I told Mom I'd skip school today to be with you, I wasn't sure what time you'd be leaving," Carter said.
"I probably should have given you all the details beforehand..." Thomas added, glancing at Carter with an apologetic smile.
"That would have been helpful," Carter teased as he draped an arm around Thomas. "I'm really going to miss you, dude. You have no idea."
Thomas snuggled closer. "I know... I'm going to miss you even more."
When they reached the school, all the kids were sitting at tables having breakfast. The moment Thomas entered, one kid shouted, "Hey! It's Thomas!" In an instant, everyone gasped and leapt from their seats, hurrying over to him. Startled, Thomas ducked behind Carter.
"Turn back into the train!" someone shouted. "I really want to see your engine!"
Thomas glanced up at Carter, who looked down at him with a gentle smile.
"Geez, can you dorks give him some space? Move on, nerds!" Tyler called out from Mei's table. The other students pouted for a moment, then returned to their seats. Tyler then wrapped Thomas in a quick hug. "I'm so glad you came to visit us one last time!" he said.
"O-Oh!" Thomas gasped at the sudden embrace.
"Thomas! Come sit with us!" Abby yelled from her table. Thomas, smiling widely, made his way over with Carter trailing close behind.
"I'm so happy you came to see us before you leave!" Miriam said warmly as Thomas sat down.
"I'm going to miss you all," Thomas smiled softly.
"Awww," Mei cooed, hugging him tight. Abby scooped him in for a bear hug—nearly squeezing him too hard. Thomas wheezed, "A-Abby, I can't breathe!"
"Abby, don't kill him!" Miriam laughed. Percy, seated at the table, added, "I hope you enjoy the Island, Thomas. It's such a beautiful place."
"I remember bits of it. Not too much, but yes—I agree, it is pretty," Thomas replied.
Then, once he suddenly remembered, Thomas asked, "Oh! Guys... what are your emails?" He quickly grabbed his bag and pulled out a notebook to write them down. One by one, his friends, plus Carter, shared their emails. Thomas scribbled them down. "Alright, I'll try to write as soon as I reach England—if the airport has Wi-Fi that is," he said.
"You better!" Abby said. Thomas chuckled. "The other students were all over me when I arrived," he recalled.
"I know, I saw! You were like a celebrity," Abby teased.
Mei nodded, "I know how that feels. When everyone found out about my panda, I was basically a celebrity of Pearson Middle," she remarked.
"More like a celebrity in Toronto," Pyria added, and Tyler laughed.
"And she still is," Tyler added.
"I think you might have the same effect, Thomas," Miriam said.
Thomas just shrugged. "Well, maybe if I wasn't leaving... then maybe—"
"Don't worry, Thomas. I think I can fill your spot here," Percy said. "They were all over me too, you know."
How could Thomas forget? Percy could change into an engine just like him. "Wow, they were all over you too?"
"Wow, they really were," Tyler agreed. "After you left with Carter, Percy and I went out for ice cream. looks like other couples who went to the dance had the same idea. It was like being on a date with a celebrity—everyone was watching."
Percy giggled. "Tyler got so surprised he ended up slamming ice cream on his face by accident," he added, laughing harder.
Tyler blushed furiously. "P-Percy..." he mumbled, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Percy was laughing too loud at me..." He said with his face still covered.
Miriam giggled. "Don't deny it—you love the sound of his laugh, don't you?"
"Shut it," Tyler retorted.
Thomas then looked at Carter while his friends were talking. He held onto his hand, then came a little closer. "I wish... we could have a proper date," Thomas murmured softly.
"Hey, me too... but when you come back, we can do all of that," Carter replied, squeezing his hand.
"I hope so," Thomas said, looking up at Carter.
"You hope? I mean, you're definitely coming back in a few months, right?"
Thomas nodded. "But what if the entire universe blows up?" he joked with a light giggle.
Carter smiled and shook his head. "That won't happen—I'll make sure of it," he said as he kissed Thomas's lips.
"Guys, you know we are in the lunchroom... right?" Tyler called out suddenly.
Carter raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? So what? Like you'd stop Percy from kissing you," Carter teased.
"I would," Tyler said firmly. Unfortunately, Percy overheard leaned to Tyler with a mischievous grin. "Is that so?" he said, planting small kisses on Tyler's cheek and lips. "P-Percy..." Tyler stammered, covering his face as Percy continued.
"I never felt so single..." Abby joked.
Mei snorted. "We'll find you someone, don't worry," she said.
Thomas snuggled closer to Carter as they waited for the bell. With no more classes for him that day, Thomas planned to stroll around town with Carter until it was time to catch the train with his dad to the airport. But first, he needed to return home to grab the rest of his things. Carter giggled as Thomas's hair brushed his neck. "Thomas, that tickles," he said quietly.
"Did it now~?" Thomas replied softly, running his fingers along Carter's neck.
Carter giggled and playfully protested, "Thhahmasss! Stop tickling me."
Thomas pouted. "But whyyyyy, I just want to..." He playfully poked Carter's belly button. Carter jolted and quickly pushed his hand away, pouting as Thomas looked sheepishly aside.
Carter rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. "Ugh, fine... go ahead," he said, prompting Thomas to poke his belly button once more. "You're so weird," he teased.
"What... are you doing, Thomas?" Miriam asked, clearly puzzled, as she saw.
"WHAT?! NOTHING AT ALL!" Thomas blurted, hastily withdrawing his hands from Carter's stomach. He glanced over at Miriam, who looked both confused and intrigued.
Miriam giggled. "Why were you... what?"
Mei looked at her. "What happened?"
"Just Thomas doing Thomas things," Carter interjected with a grin.
"Quiet, you," Thomas said, elbowing Carter playfully. Carter laughed, and Miriam just shook her head as she rejoined her friends' conversations.
Thomas felt his heart race as he looked back at Carter.
"Are you alright?" Carter asked with a giggle.
Thomas rolled his eyes. "Yes!" he replied.
For a while, it was silent from them, then Thomas continued to playfully poke Carter's belly button. Every so often, he'd steal a glance at Carter, who would catch his eye with a playful yet slightly confused expression before looking away. "You and this thing you've been trying to do," Carter teased, wrapping an arm around Thomas and resting his head on his boyfriend's shoulder. Thomas blushed and snuggled even closer, content in that warm, familiar embrace.