Nadia POV
The airport was buzzing with the usual chaos—families reuniting, travelers hurrying to their gates, and the constant hum of announcements echoing through the terminal. I stood with Mason, Mike, and Cody by the departure gate, our mood unusually somber. We were there to say goodbye to Ember, a close friend whose presence had always been a kind of anchor amidst the turbulence of our lives.
Ember had already disappeared into the crowd, her silhouette vanishing down the terminal until she was out of sight. I wasn't sure if the stark reality of saying goodbye or the finality of it that made the air feel heavier than usual. The boys stood in a tense silence—Mason especially, who seemed to be struggling with more than just the typical sadness of a friend leaving.
Mason had his arms
