The farewell
(Isabella pov)
The next day, I sat on the rooftop watching the moon as usual, mesmerized by its beauty. Xander and I had kept a ladder there, one we always used to climb up whenever the moon came out, just so we could see it more clearly.
Suddenly, a hand covered my eyes and I smiled already knowing who it was. "You can let go now," I whispered, because "I know it's you."
Then Xander came and sat down beside me. "How did you even know?Because I know you weren't expecting me after the stunt my mom pulled yesterday," he said.
I smiled and replied, "Remember I told you I have a great sense of smell? I'm already used to yours." He chuckled softly at my reply, shaking his head, "You and that nose of yours," he teased.
"How did you do it?" I asked.He raised a brow, looking confused. "What?" Xander asked
"Sneak out, you know" I replied.
"Oh, guess," he said with a teasing grin. I chuckled. "Oh Nanny Emmy."
He smiled and said. "Yeah, she's such a sweetheart."
For a while, we just sat in silence, our eyes lingering on the moon.As we watched the moon, he turned to stare at me for a moment before shifting his gaze back to it.The night breeze brushing past us, the glow of the moon wrapping everything in silver. Moments like this always felt timeless like the world had paused, leaving just the two of us on that rooftop,under the silver moon.
I broke the silence and said, "You know what, Xander? Whenever I watch the moon, I always feel some kind of connection to it."
He frowned a little. "I don't understand," he replied. "Neither do I Xander, but I can't shake the feeling that I have something to do with the moon," I replied softly.
He tapped my forehead lightly and chuckled. "Silly.There you go again with your usual fantasies, wake up crazy,"xander said.
"But that's really how I feel," I insisted.He mimicked me in a playful tone, "But that's how I feel,"which made me laugh and hit his chest lightly.
Then he said "I've been wondering about something."
"What?" I asked. "Your eyes… Why do they have that color? Kind of too yellowish; your mom's aren't like that,he said and I shrugged, "Well, maybe I took after my dad. My mom told me he died before I was born." I hesitated, then asked, "Does it scare you?"
"Very,"he replied without thinking. "They're just like a lion's."
I gasped and stood up, chasing him around the rooftop as our laughter echoed into the night.
"Please, Miss Lioness!" he pleaded dramatically. "Don't make me jump down and break the muscles I've been building all my life." He raised his shoulders in a goofy show of strength, which made me laugh so hard I had to stop.
We settled back down, watching the moon again. I glanced at him and noticed his face had fallen, his expression heavy. Something wasn't right.
"Are you okay?" I asked gently.
He stayed silent.
"Is it because of what your mom said to me yesterday?" I pressed softly. "Trust me, I didn't take it to heart."
He let out a long sigh. "No… it's not that. My mom said we're traveling Europe
tomorrow. She wants me to study there."
My eyes welled up with tears. "How long are you going to stay?"
"I really don't know," he said, his voice low. "But I promise I'll come back for you, okay?," he added.
I sniffed and asked,"Are you going with Nanny Emmy?"
"Yes," he nodded. "With the whole family,my grandmother, my parents, and Nanny Emmy.
I went silent, sadness creeping over me, and he said softly, "Come one Ella, don't be like that. I'll come back, I promise."
At that, the tears I had been holding finally spilled. "But I'll miss you" I whispered.
"I'll miss you too," he replied, pulling me into an embrace and gently patting my back.
When he finally let go, he wiped my tears and whispered again, "I promise I'll come back." I nodded, then slipped off my bracelet and placed it in his hand. "Keep this as a memento of our friendship. Don't forget about me, okay?"
He accepted it with trembling fingers and murmured, "Thank you… I'll always remember you, Ella.
Then he looked down, almost guilty. "I don't have anything to give you," he said, before quickly removing his wristwatch. "Aside from this."
I collected it carefully, holding it close. "But… what are you going to tell your mom when she asks about it?"
He gave a faint grin. "I'll tell her I don't know where it is."
I smiled faintly and muttered, "Thank you."
His expression softened. Ella, please don't forget me too, okay? Wait for me and I promise I'll come back," he said.
"I promise," I whispered back, then added with a faint smile, "Pinky promise?"
"Pinky promise," he said and we sealed it, our fingers linked.
We hugged again, holding on for a while, until he gently pulled away. "Ella I have to go now before my mom notices I'm not in the house. I don't want to put Nanny Emmy in trouble, he said and I nodded. "Okay."
"Take care of yourself, alright?" he added.
I nodded again, unable to say more.
We bade each other goodbye, and I stood in silence, watching him walk away, my heart heavy
The next day, I sat outside, my eyes fixed on Xander's gate, hoping he would come out just once to say goodbye. I wanted to see him, even if it was only for the last time before he left. Suddenly, the gate creaked open and I sprang to my feet, my heart leaping with hope. But instead of Xander, cars began to roll out.
The first carried his father, grandma, and nanny. Then came the second xander's mother sat in the front, and Xander was in the backseat. My breath caught. I rushed to the car, pounding on the window, calling his name over and over.
" Xander! Xander!!" I cried, chasing after the car as it sped down the road, until it disappeared into the distance. My legs gave out and my mother rushed to me, pulling me into her arms.
"He just went… like that mom," I sobbed, "without even saying goodbye,"
I added.
I pulled away from her embrace, tears blinding me and ran inside…