Remark

Goodbye to You, My Friend

“This is it,”

I looked at Sophee one last time and felt her grip on my hands go tighter. If I wasn’t shy enough, I would cry right now, but I didn’t want to appear too emotional for a send-off. “You can always back out, Phee. I mean, we can take up Architecture together and have fun.” I pouted and bit my lips in an attempt to make her stay. The veins in my head were hurting, telling me that it was time to stop acting strong, and just cry it out loud.

“Yeah and die early together because of it? No way.” She flapped her hands in the air, scoffing in disagreement.

I laughed at her statement and thought about how true it was. I guess Architecture was too deadly for anyone to talk. I’ve been warned that what I’m about to go from high school to college was hell. I’m preparing every bit of my soul to take that path.

“This is it. I’m leaving, and I won’t be back for many months. I’ll try and come during breaks, though, but I’m not promising anything.”

For a moment, we were just looking at each other until I broke it off, and wasn’t able to hold back my tears. “Phee…” I wrapped my arms around her, and we both cried in each other’s shoulders. “I’m going to miss you so much!”

“I told you no crying, Nami!” I felt her slap my back as we hugged. “Why are you crying?” She chuckled, but the sound of her voice shaking was making me cry even more. “Promise me you won’t forget about me even if we won’t be hanging out for months. You have to message me every day, and call me at least once a week!”

I sniffed, pulling away from her.

“Call me if this player makes you cry so I can fly right back here and murder him.”

Her eyes were watery and red, and mine looked the same, I’m sure, if not worse. I chuckled at her last statement, nodding. “I’ll probably do that just so I can make you come back here.”

She smiled and sniffled, fixing the backpack in her back. She turned to Mark who has been standing next to me the whole time we were emotionally saying our goodbyes. “You better not make her cry, Marcus. I’m entrusting you my best friend so fail me not. I swear to God, I’ll come after you when you do that.”

Mark wrapped his arms around my shoulder and smiled at her. “I won’t, Sophee. You know I can’t.”

“Right because you haven’t played with anyone else before.”

Awkward.

I cleared my throat.

“Attention passengers for flight 312—”

Thank God for speakers. Sophee looked up as we hear the woman speak through the speaker. “That’s my cue.” She pulled her luggage closer to her, pressing her lips together. “Let’s not make this dramatic. It’s not even the good bye.” We both laughed at that before she came closer to me and gave me one last hug. I embraced the moment and tried to remember her hug for I won’t be able to feel it for a long time.

“Take care of yourself there. Find yourself a substitute of mine if possible.”

She smiled at me when she pulled away. “There’s no one like you, Nami.”

“See you later, Anders.” Mark said and they both hugged as well.

“Don’t forget your promise to me, okay?” She told Mark before stepping back from us. “I’ll see you guys soon.”

When she started walking away, I felt my heart aching. I never knew sending someone you grew really fond off was heart breaking. The feeling of seeing her leave was making everything worse. Now that she’s actually gone, I was concerned of how I’ll be able to survive college life without my bestest, best friend. It will just feel so empty and different.

Condrey State University.

My dream school. The leading school in the entire state, and not only in Newcrest. I moved in the dorms today with Marcus. I was too excited to study here with him after all. I never thought I’d pass the entrance exam but now I’m here.

It feels surreal.

Johnny was admitted because of soccer. Turns out he was a great athlete, and I never even knew about it. Both Jeffrey and Tyler were granted special admission by MESPA because for obvious reasons. I mean, they were naturally talented. I’d be damned if Johnny got in, and they didn’t.

Marcus, Hikaru and I took the admission exam.

The three of us would study together before, and I guess it paid off really well because all of us got into such prestigious school.

Sulani is so different from Newcrest. The air here felt so much lighter, yet heavy at the same time. The environment here in CSU was nothing like it was in MESPA High. You can feel how professional and competitive it was in here. I was having second thoughts about moving away from Newcrest but this was a new beginning I needed to happen in my life.

“Hi!”

I glanced over the door and saw two girls entering inside with their luggage. I smiled at them and greeted back. They both rushed in, aggressively landing their stuff in the bunk bed across mine.

“I’m Lois.” The long haired girl said, pointing at herself. “That’s Yui.” She continued, pointing at the girl that just threw a bag over to the upper bed. “We’re going to be dormmates!” She excitedly exclaimed.

“Nami,”

“It’s nice to meet you, Nami! What course are you in?” Lois asked, sitting across the desk that was facing mine. “We’re both taking Accountancy.”

I bobbed my head, pressing my lips together before I answered. “Architecture.”

Both their jaws dropped. Yui took the desk next to Lois, so they were both facing me. “Isn’t that like… super hard? I heard Architecture students never sleep!” Yui exclaimed, pulling out the lollipop out of her mouth.

Lois nodded in agreement.

“I am aware of that. I’ll try to survive.” I replied, smiling at the both of them.

“If you like need someone to hang with when you’re staying up late to finish those small house thingy you build, you can count me in!” Yui shouted enthusiastically. “I like staying up late for as long as there aren’t homeworks involved.” She grinned.

“Me too, me too!” Lois raised her hand in the air.

I guess I’m lucky I have not-awkward roommates for the rest of my college years. I should probably hurry up and meet Marcus soon. I told him I’d be done in three hours and it’s been five hours since we moved in.

Lois and Yui began unpacking as well.

Muffled voices of girls squealing and giggling enveloped outside. I creased my brows at the displeasing sound when the door suddenly opened. Marcus stood there, scanning the room until he met my eyes.

“Oh…”

“My god.”

“You were taking too long, princess. I figured you might need some help unpacking your things.”

My eyes widened in realization that Marcus was in a girls’ dormitory. “What are you doing here? Were you not allowed to be here?”

He smiled, pulling me to a warm embrace. “I missed you too.” I heard him chuckle but I wasn’t finding it funny. Maybe I felt a little giddy for the hug he gave me—just a little. “Are you done? I can help put up your mosquito net.”

I shook my head. “I’m almost done. Wait for me outside.”

He smiled, leaning his face closer to me. “Okay then.”

I let out a small smile.

His eyes darted to my back. “You have roomies.”

Lois and Yui were frozen in their spots.

Marcus raised his hand in the air to wave at them. “Hi, I’m Nami’s boyfriend, Marcus Lee Dyer. I put her under your care when I’m not around.”

I blushed. I still wasn’t used to Marcus telling people that I was his girlfriend, but every time he does it, I always felt so special and loved.

“She also snores out loud when she sleeps so you might—”

“Leave!”

I pushed Marcus out of the room, shutting the door right at his face. When I turned back around to face both Lois and Yui, they were laughing. I couldn’t tell why they were laughing, and I’m not sure I wanted to know why. I was too embarrassed to admit that what just happened, happened.

“I’m sorry… He can be a little—”

“He’s so cute!”

“You’re both cute together.”

I gulped at their compliments. I didn’t want them to get weirded out by our relationship but I didn’t expect them to think we were a cute couple. I guess people weren’t used to couples yelling at each other.

“I never would have thought you had a boyfriend. You look good together, though!” Lois added as she tapped the pen she was holding over her cheek. “Kinda makes me want to have my own boyfriend.”

Yui scoffed. “As if, Sy.”

Lois threw the pen she was holding at Yui’s direction. “Shut up! As if you’re gonna get one yourself!”

Yui flapped her hand in the air. “Trust me, I just left one back home.” She then flipped her hair to the back, grinning vigorously at Lois. “He was too desperate to come with me here that I had to tie him up so he wouldn’t follow me.”

“Are you pertaining to a dog?”

Yui frowned at Lois’ statement.

I chuckled. I guess this is a good way to start my college year at Condrey State University.