The Goodbye That Never Was

ts that neither Layla nor Naomi dared to overthink. Layla found herself lingering by Nao

old oak tree behind the school, Layla

, "have you ever... kept some

the tree trunk, glanced

oiding Naomi's gaz

sion softened.

hot up. "Reall

defeat the purpose of keepin

mystery. But... do you think it's okay t

ious. "Depends. Are you pr

off guard by the que

iding something can hurt more than telling the truth

g. Naomi didn't push her to explain fur

e in her notebook. She wasn't one to write often, but tonig

stead. There are things I've never told you-things I'm scared to ad

eks, and she quickly tore out the page, crumpling it into

night, the words lingered

aomi waiting by the gate, holdi

mi said, handi

d. "What's t

me-up," Naomi replied casually,

the air, and Naomi thought to herself: Maybe, jus

and. Layla chatted about an upcoming school event, her voice animated and full of energy. Naomi nodded occasionally, her eyes on t

oice snapped her o

Naomi b

festival this weekend?" Layl

don't know. Proba

e food stalls, games, and..." She hesitated, a blush cre

the faintest smile tugged a

beamed. "You w

. "I'll hold

anterns lit up the evening sky, and the smell of grilled food wafted through

said, handing Naomi a

cautious bi

"Not bad? Thi

spotted a ring toss game

ntly, grabbing a handful of ring

a laugh. "Wo

uted. "Let's se

won on her second toss, earning a small stuff

ayla asked,

ugged. "W

chest, her smile bright enou

ank. The festival sounds were distant now, the only light

yla said softly, her voice

"You don't have to

ill in her arms. "You don't smile much, but

telling Layla everything-about the looming move, about th

a stray strand of hair from Layla's face. "You

re too serious. Guess we

as Layla turned her gaze to the water

d stay like this fo

into their routine, sharing quiet moments together. Despite the simplicity of their days, ther

ft glow around them. Layla was busy sketching in her notebook while Naomi leane

said without looking up, a sm

aught off guard.

Naomi," Layla teased, f

"What are you

etch of two figures sitting under a tree, one leaning bac

ebrow. "Is that...

not perfect, but I think I captured y

ttered, though a faint bl

aid, giggling. "But that'

espond, but he

ues of pink and orange, Layla closed her noteboo

future?" Layla asked, her v

itated. "

do you

ht of the question pressing on

"I don't know. But I hope... I

la that nothing would change, that they'd always have momen

i said softl

s face for something-reassurance, maybe. Whatever it w

Layla's hair, earning a playful swat

a protested, thou

"You're too eas

u," Layla shot back, s

turned dark, their laughter f