Chapter 21 The Goodbye Party
341 Words
A week before graduation, Daniel decided Ethan couldn’t leave without a proper goodbye party.
Almost everyone agreed immediately.
The party was held at Daniel’s house on a Saturday evening.
Music filled the garden.
Students laughed, took pictures and talked about memories from school.
On the surface, it was a happy night.
For Lily, it felt like a countdown.
Every laugh reminded her that time was running out.
Every photo reminded her that these moments were ending.
She stood near the drinks table when Ethan appeared beside her.
“You’ve been hiding all evening.”
“I’m not hiding.”
“You are.”
Lily smiled slightly.
Ethan looked around.
“You know, I never expected everyone to care this much.”
“People like you.”
He laughed.
“Not everyone.”
“Most people.”
His smile softened.
“You’re included in that list, right?”
Lily looked down at her cup.
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?”
“You ask too many questions.”
Ethan laughed again.
For a moment everything felt normal.
Like he wasn’t leaving.
Like they still had all the time in the world.
Later that evening, students gathered for photos.
Someone pulled Lily beside Ethan.
Neither of them complained.
The camera flashed.
Then another.
And another.
At one point Ethan leaned slightly closer.
“I’m stealing these photos before I leave.”
Lily smiled.
“Of course you are.”
“So when you’re old and famous, I can tell people I knew you.”
She laughed softly.
But inside she wanted to cry.
Because every sentence now sounded like goodbye.
As the night went on, Lily noticed herself memorizing everything.
His smile.
His laugh.
His voice.
The way he looked when he was happy.
She was collecting memories without meaning to.
Like some part of her already knew she would need them later.
When the party finally ended, Ethan walked her to the gate.
Neither of them spoke much.
Neither wanted the night to end.
Unfortunately, it did.
And graduation was only days away.
- Writer
