"Hey, it's your last day here! We have to make the most of it!" Leiyah said cheerfully as the three of them walked out the gate of Freya's house.
Freya smiled. "Yeah, Leiyah. What's the plan?"
Leiyah suddenly stopped and grinned. "Actually… I don't have a plan for myself. You two take charge. Just the two of you. Make it count." She looked at Freya and Liam.
Freya's eyes widened. "H-huh? Just us?"
"Yep. I got this. Promise, I won't join. Enjoy your last day together," Leiyah said with a wink before walking away.
The two of them stood in silence for a moment, then Liam smiled and looked at Freya. "So… it's just us. Shall we?"
---
They decided to go to the mall first. While walking around, Freya chattered non-stop about the latest dresses she had seen and toys for her little cousin. Liam listened quietly, a soft smile on his face that never seemed to fade.
"Wait, let's take a picture," Freya said, pulling out her phone. She stood next to Liam and snapped a selfie before he could protest. "Here. A little remembrance before you leave for Japan."
Liam scratched the back of his head, but his smile widened. "You've got a lot of remembrances already, huh?"
"One isn't enough," Freya replied, laughing.
After grabbing a bite at the food court, they wandered into a bookstore. Freya stared at a shelf of notebooks. "You know, Liam… if you were still here, I'd always have you with me buying things like this. Now… I might have to do it alone."
"You won't be alone," Liam said, picking up a pink notebook and handing it to her. "Here. Write all your stories in this. I'll read them when I get back."
Freya froze, holding the notebook. "You always know how to make me happy."
---
In the afternoon, they went to the park to relax. They sat on a bench facing a small pond, quietly watching the sunlight reflect on the water.
"You know, Freya," Liam said softly, "there's a lot I want to promise you before I leave."
Freya looked at him. "Like what?"
"First, even if I'm far away, I'll always talk to you. I won't let our connection fade." He reached into his pocket and handed her a small slip of paper. "Everything's here—Facebook, email, even my number in Japan. If I can't reply right away, I promise I'll get back to you."
Freya stared at the paper as if it were the most precious thing she'd ever received. "Liam…"
"Second," Liam continued, "even with all the new things in my life in Japan, I won't forget you. You'll always be on my mind."
Freya tried to hold back tears, smiling through them. "What if when you get there, you forget about me? There are so many cute girls in Japan, you know."
Liam shook his head, laughing. "No one compares to you. I'm serious."
---
They fell silent for a while, watching the sun sink low. The breeze was cool, but light.
"You promise too, Freya," Liam said. "You'll wait for me?"
Freya wrinkled her forehead, then smiled. "Of course. I'll wait. No matter how many years it takes."
Liam couldn't help but smile widely. He held her hand gently and earnestly, as if the simple touch sealed an unbreakable contract.
---
On the way home, they walked side by side to the corner of the subdivision. Quiet, neither wanting the day to end.
"Freya," Liam whispered, "thank you. For everything. For the friendship, the memories, and… for loving me."
Freya didn't respond immediately, but smiled warmly. "You too, Liam. Thank you. Even when you leave, I know you'll come back."
Before parting ways, Freya stopped and looked at him. "See you soon?"
"See you soon," Liam said, smiling with a promise in his eyes.
That night, they each went home with heavy hearts—but also filled with hope—that even if separated for years, their connection would never fade.