The Goodbye That Never Was

Naomi had been planning for weeks. Layla didn't know what to expect as Naomi had been unu

ning, her usual energy radiating even brighter. In h

!" Naomi gree

l a little sleepy, and rais

ox with a grin. "You'l

e box. Inside was a delicate charm bracelet wit

spered, touched. "

ans something. The sun is for your warmth, the book because you're always reading,

ght, joyful sound.

i teased, "bu

Today, it was transformed-blankets spread across the grass, surrounded by fairy lights st

this?" Layla a

n a while since we had

t their childhood adventures. Naomi told stories with dramati

twilight, Naomi grew quiet,

r mind?" Layla

, I think about the future. About us. I jus

. "Whatever happens, we'll fig

onfidence returning. "Oka

quiet conversations mingling with the rustle of the trees. It was a day neither of th

time together than ever. It wasn't unusual for them to be seen walking side

could let her guard down. Naomi, on the other hand, thrived on making Layla laug

Naomi approached Layla with

ework today," N

homework? Naomi, are you ins

nd go, but memories? Memories last forever

efore sighing. "Fine. But this

Trouble is half

bustling with flashing lights and the hum of retro music. Layla sta

to an arcade, have

ayla ad

s your lucky

e, from claw machines to racing simulators. Naomi, of course, couldn't resist showing

Naomi laughed so hard she nearly fell over. "You're

tending to be offended. "I'

ly scored several baskets in a row. "

laugh, shaking her hea

bench outside the arcade, sipping slushies. The sky

Layla admitted.

e too. Sometimes, it's nice to just forget e

le on her lips. "Thank yo

y serious. "You don't have to thank me, Layl

le grew war

ound them, Naomi silently promised herself one thing: to