One Side Arrow

Hi guys...here's another expanded story dedicated to my dear friend Odie. This is for you girl...thanks for all the love you give me and the hard work you put into all the bg's. They just get better and better each time you make one. =) Is that enough kissing up? lol...hahahaa

Cast:
Daniel Wu - Neil
Vivian Leung - Kathy
Nick Cheung - Melvin aka Mel
GiGi Lai - Kelly

Thanks guys for dropping by!! =D

Chapter 1

1995 – Hong Kong High School

Neil sat on one of the many lunch benches of the school’s rest area as he looked around. It was the first day of school and everyone looked glad to be back maybe because for the seniors, which included himself, means it was the last year they had to endure anymore homework or tests. His eyes searched around for his best friend Kathy, but she was no where in sight. He wanted to show her his new haircut. Curious to see her reaction since they have not seen each other the whole summer.

Kathy and Neil have been best friends as long as he could remember, their families were had a good relationship and their parents were best friends as well. In a way they were almost forced to get along. At first Neil was a bit intimidated by Kathy who did not look friendly when he met her years ago. She was chubbier than most girls and she was going through a boy hater phase. Of course they were only five then but he could tell she did not like him at first. He made quite an attempt to get on her good side. It wasn’t until they had their first food contest did Kathy open up. From then on, she confided every problem she had in him, he soon became her own special shrink.

Neil was busy reminiscing about the old times when a pair of heavy hands fell over his eyes. “Guess who?” the voice was sweet as sugar.

He gave a short grin but decided to humor her “Hmm…..let me see…” he reached up his hand and covered it over her fingers “Stubby little fingers…soft skin…Is it…Shelly?”

Kathy quickly pulled her hands away “Shelly?” she retorted.

He began to laugh and she knew then that he was teasing her “I gotcha!” he pointed at her humorously. She rolled her eyes and began unwrapping her burger, a sure sign not to disturb her. He let the laughter fade away as he changed the subject “So, what did you do this summer? Did you miss me?”

“Yeah, I missed your dorky glasses.” She snickered before taking a huge bite. She pointed the bitten burger at him “You want some?” she mumbled.

He wrinkled his nose “No…I thought you hated my glasses?” he got contact lenses over the summer and a new hair cut that seemed to win him honors to be in the popularity group. Kathy saw him talking to the jocks and cheerleaders earlier but decided not to intervene.

She swallowed the bite before talking “I do…but they gave you definition. And plus this is a huge change for me, you’ve been wearing glasses since the beginning of time.”

Neil laughed “You make me sound so ancient! We’re just barely graduating high school.” His eyes wandered to a table with a group of girls that were glancing at him with smiles. He waved back with a friendly smile.

“Don’t be flirting with other girls when you’re talking to me.” Kathy joked.

“Aww…that’s so sweet, you’re jealous. Don’t worry, I only have eyes for you.” He reassured with his head bobbing up and down.

She rolled her eyes sarcastically “Your eyes cannot fit all of me. I think I gained more weight during the summer.” She said casually.

Neil frowned “You did? I didn’t notice.”

“More like 15 pounds.” She concluded with a sigh “Maybe I have this obese gene in my family that I didn’t know about. It doesn’t matter what I eat, I just keep gaining weight. But it’s always been that way since I could remember.” She was comfortable talking about her weight with him but no one else.

He leaned his face on his hand as he listened intently “Maybe you can do some kind of activity? Take up soccer.”

“I have asthma.” She said shortly.

Neil was more thoughtful “How about tennis?”

“I have bad aim.”

He began to see a pattern to her excuse “Take up swimming.”

She gave him an exasperated look “Me in a swimsuit?”

Neil laughed “You’re right, it’ll never work.”

Kathy waved her hand carelessly “Who cares, weight is just a number. I don’t want to control my normal habits to look stick thin like those models or actors that we see nowadays.”

He clapped his hands proudly “Yes, you’ve always marched to the beat of your own drum. I’ve always admired you for that.”

She laughed “You do?” Neil nodded with a grin.

**************

After the first day of school, the two walked home together like they’ve been doing for the past ten years. “How was your classes?” she asked randomly.

“Boring…” he snorted. The two stopped by the park where they normally hang around to talk. They both got on a swing and swayed back and forth.

“Same here.” She said with a short sigh as she lifted her legs up to move the swing higher. Her butt was hanging out at the end and she didn’t notice until they heard a rude comment behind them.

“Hey, tell your girlfriend to get off the swings before she breaks it!!” a guy with a nick name of Big Chuck snickered.

Kathy and Neil looked at each other as they turned around and saw a few jocks laughing at him. Neil gave a sigh as he got up ready to beat those guys up. Kathy was use to the torture of being fat and Neil always stood up for her, but she felt it was time she fought her own battles. Kathy lifted her hand as she stopped him “I’ll take care of this.” She turned to the laughing hyenas angrily “First of all you stupid jocks, I’m not his girlfriend. If you make a comment like that again, I’ll sit on you.”

Her threats were like jokes to them as the three roared with laughter “Ooh…I’m scared now. You’re going to sit on me?” one of the guys managed to stop laughing long enough to make a sarcastic comment. “Hey Neil, you should control that fat mouth of hers.” As if it was funny, the other two laughed loudly.

Neil couldn’t stand it as he got up and charged towards them threateningly “Don’t you dare talk about her like that! She’s my friend!” he glared at him with vicious eyes that Kathy seen plenty of times before. She weighed about 190 pounds, which made her seem bigger due to her short height.

She struggled to get off the swing to stop Neil from punching those guys, instead she tripped over her ankle and fell flat face on the dirt. The two clowns exploded with laughter, no longer scared at the charging Neil. He turned and saw her attempting to push herself up, he turned to the guys angrily but decided to help Kathy get up instead. “Yeah, go help her up….Oh…I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” One of the guys mimicked Kathy’s struggle.

Neil helped her up with ease “You okay?”

She nodded embarrassingly “Let’s go home.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to beat them up for you? No one’s around, I won’t get in trouble.” He was tempting her.

Kathy laughed as she let him support her as they walked down the street to their homes, which was next to each other “That’s quite an offer but I don’t think violence is the answer.”

“But it’ll make me feel better.” Neil pointed out making her laugh louder. “Well, all I know is that if they do that again, I’ll gonna punch their lights out! I don’t care what you say, I’ll do it!” he nodded vehemently.

She rolled her eyes “You grow a little muscle and you think you can beat up everyone in the school. You can’t watch over me forever, Neil.”

It was a wake up call for Neil, he always imagined that they’d be best friends forever and live next door to each other forever. He turned to her with an odd expression “Why?”

Kathy stopped in place while turning to him with obvious eyes “Because, life goes on. You don’t expect us to be neighbors forever do you? I mean, we’re both going to get married one day…well, you at least. And move away to another city. You’ll have other people to protect.”

Neil frowned at her words “Don’t say that. We’ll always be best friends and I’ll always be there for you no matter what.”

“Why are you so nice to me?” it was a question she never bothered to ask. But it was something she pondered for the past few months.

“What’s that suppose to mean?” he asked in defense.

She smiled while shaking her head “Don’t get all testy now. I mean, why do you care so much? Is it because you’re my only friend? Or you pity me since everyone always picks on this fat little girl. I guess I always wondered.”

Neil let out a sigh as he sat down on the curb, he turned up to her and patted on the seat next to him. She smiled as she joined him “Do you remember that first day of school in Junior high?” she nodded faintly “Remember those kids calling me ‘Skinny Boy Neil’?”

A small smile crossed my face “And I told them to leave you alone.”

“Exactly” he pointed to her “You helped me…when no one wanted to stand up for me.”

“I just felt sorry for you.” She brushed it off casually.

He smiled knowing she was being modest “Whatever your reasons were, I really appreciate it. So from that day forth, I promised to myself that I would always protect you. Well, as long as I’m around no one will hurt you in any form. My thanks to you for helping me out that day.”

Kathy’s apparent smile grew larger as she turned to him “Is that why you decided to work out? I mean look at you, you’re bigger than some of the jocks on the football team.” She pointed out his muscles.

He pulled up his arm and flexed it proudly “It is isn’t it?”

She pushed herself off the curb and stood up, almost out of breath “Yeah…it’s very big, you should try out for Hong Kong’s strongest men.”

“Is there such a show?” he got up and skipped after her “I want to join.”

Kathy let out a comfortable laugh “Apparently your ego grew with your muscles!!”

Chapter 2

At lunch time, the school was buzzing with news about the Senior Prom. Everyone was excited about it except for Kathy. She sat at the lunch table eating her lunch when she felt a tap on her shoulder. Her instinct told her to swing her elbow defensively. Neil caught it inches from his face, she let out a sigh of relief “Wooh girl, what’s with you?”

“Just making sure no one’s trying to push me off the bench.” She joked.

He quickly sat down next to her “Did someone do that before? Because damn, I’ll beat him up, tell me who it is…What is wrong with these people?!!!” he punched his fists into the palm of his hand as if ready for a rumble.

Kathy frowned at him “You just want someone to beat up don’t you?” he nodded like an overly hyper puppy “Sorry to burst your bubble but, no, no one pushed me off the bench before. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.”

“Well, YOU better tell me if and when they do it.” Neil scolded her like a father to a daughter.

“Yes, papa.” She laughed and turned to him. She noticed he was checking out one of the cheerleaders. “Okay.” She placed her sandwich on the boxed container that it came in. “Who’s the girl and do you want me to talk to her for you?” she knew he was a shy guy and she normally had to do most of the talking when he wanted to ask a girl out. Too bad for him, each time it happened, the girl eventually dumped him because he was too quiet during dates.

He looked at her strangely “No one.” He concealed.

“Oh please, the last time you dazed off, you confessed that you had a crush for over a month. Why don’t you just save it and don’t waste my time. I’m a very busy woman.” Kathy concluded. She read him like a book.

Neil blushed over “Well, there is this girl…Kelly…” he pointed to a girl in a cheerleading uniform. She was even more adorable than the last girl.

Kathy sighed “Honey, I hate to break it to you, but she’s already taken. She’s dating the captain of the Baseball team.”

“How do you know all this?” he asked incredulously.

She shrugged “Maybe because I’m the editor of the yearbook staff. I know every gossip and seen every picture that’s going to be published in this year’s book.”

He brushed off her sarcasm as usual as he leaned in “Really? Do you know her last name?”

She let out a frustrated grunt and grabbed his head in her hands “Boy, listen to me! She won’t notice you if you sit here and hide behind my big butt all day. Go and talk to her if you want to know her name.”

His faced was squeezed together as he struggled to speak “I’m sy…”

“What?” Kathy asked, his words were incoherent.

He yanked his face away from her chubby fingers “I said…I’m shy.” He whispered while his eyes darted back and forth like a madman who just committed a crime.

“Well, I’m sick of being your messenger.” She said haughtily. “Do your own dirty work.”

“I will.” He said firmly but refused to budge from his seat. Kathy turned to him with wide eyes and he looked at her in horror “You don’t expect me to do it now do you?”

She rolled her eyes “So much for doing it on your own.”

“Hey!” he sat up quickly “Maybe I can ask her to Prom?”

Kathy laughed pitifully at him “Oh, my poor friend. You are such a sad little soul. It’s a week before prom, she would already have a date, most likely her… boyfriend.” She pointed out.

He nodded, but still in denial “I guess I’ll see her there. Maybe I’ll ask her to dance.”

“You’re hopeless. But let me know how it goes.” She said sarcastically.

“You’re not going?” he asked in shock. “But…what am I going to do without you?”

Kathy smiled “You can dance with your imaginary girlfriend, Kelly.” He gave her an exasperated look and she sighed “Look, I don’t have a date, I’m not going to have fun because I’ll be wearing a dress all night long. People will be making fun of the whale in the black dress…and IF I was gonna go, the dress would be in that color only. Now, give me a good reason why I should even bother to come?”

“Because you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.” Neil said matter of factly.

Kathy gasped as she covered her mouth “You’re right. All these years of working on my popularity has to pay off. I’ve worked too hard on my reputation to give up now. My life will end if I don’t go to the Prom!” she ended it with a dramatic tone. She laughed when he glared at her “Oh perk up! I’m not going and there is nothing you can say to convince me otherwise.”

He let out a short sigh as he turned to her earnestly, Neil reached down for her hand as he clasped it between his. She could feel the heat rising to her face, it was strange, she’s never blushed when he put his arms around her or touched her hand. But this time it was different. Maybe because of the way he looked at her….yes that must be it. She convinced herself the reason for her beating heart was no other than a tiny itty bitty crush. “I need your moral support…you’re my best friend. We’ve been everywhere together, I can’t miss this Prom and I know deep down somewhere in your chubby little heart, you feel the same way too.”

She smiled and felt herself giving in until he started smiling and then began to laugh hysterically at her reaction “You dork!” she hit him across the arm. “That’s not funny.” She pouted angrily.

Neil eventually controlled his laughter as he put his arms around her shoulders playfully “Oh come on. You have a sense of humor don’t you? You should have seen the look on your face.” She stuck her tongue out at him. “Hey, here’s a good reason. I already bought the tickets. So if you want me to waste my hard earned money on somebody else, just tell me.”

Kathy turned to him slowly and surely he was waving in her face the two pairs of tickets “I guess as long as it’s free…”

“That’s a good girl.” He patted her head like a puppy. “I’ll pick you up at 6pm this Saturday. Do you need help finding a dress?”

She laughed “No mother. I’ll just go in a paper bag.”

****************

The Prom night came quick when Kathy was sitting at home totally forgetting about the night. She sat in her room munching on chips while watching television. Her smile soon turned to annoyance when the phone disturbed her tv show. “Hello?” she answered with frustration.

“Are you on your PMS?” Neil asked teasingly.

“Oh it’s you…” she joked and sat up “What do you want?”

“To know if you’re ready? I’ll be over in an hour.” He said.

“OH CRAP!!” she practically fell off her bed “What is today?”

Neil laughed “Don’t tell me you forgot.”

Kathy began pacing her room as she pulled out the covered black dress she found at a discount store from her closet “Forgot? I was going to call you to go out for buffet dinner.”

“It’s okay…you have plenty of time. Just take a quick shower and change. Don’t rush okay?” he soothed.

But it was too late, she was already panicking. She was going to ask her mom to help her with the makeup but forgot to mention that Prom was that Saturday. Her mom went out with her friends to play mahjong. “Oh shut up!” she yelled into the phone making him laugh “You know I’m already a mess.”

“Do you need help? I’ll be over in two seconds.” He offered.

“No! No, I’ll figure it out on my own.” She said trying to calm herself. “I’ll see you in a bit.” Without waiting for him to say goodbye, she hung up her phone and raced into the bathroom. Her long hair was going to be a pain to fix. She took a short shower and began blow drying her hair while slipping on the black dress. By the time she was done, it looked like a fuzzball. She combed it down and used her mom’s curling iron to twist her hair in large ringlets. She quickly pulled it back in a tight ponytail and tied it up with a black rubber band. Her curls flowed down her back and she nodded in approval. She used her mother’s make up using everything from blush to mascara. She’s seen her mother do it a hundred times but never attempted to make herself up. She remembered her mom giving her advice, less is more. So she used everything leisurely.

By the time she was done, Neil was already by the door knocking on it. “Kathy?!!” he yelled while banging on the door.

She skipped down the stairs and opened the door completely out of breath “I…I’m…ready….” Her chest heaved up and down.

He frowned “Did you forget to breath?” he was half joking but half worried knowing that she had asthma.

“Yeah…” she closed up the door and stepped outside while adjusting her dress with her black purse in her hands. “Come on.”

Neil laughed as he pulled her back before she stepped off the porch “Wait a minute speedy. Let me see you.” He looked at her up and down. “You clean up well.” He nodded in approval.

She was lost in her own daze, he looked absolutely gorgeous wearing his tux. It fit him well and it seemed to make him look even taller than he really was. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

His ego taking over quickly as he directed the compliment back to him “Really? I thought it made me look too thin…” he grabbed the collar part of his coat and spun in circles posing for her “It looks good though huh?”

Kathy rolled her eyes “Yeah…whatever, Mr. Hotshot. Let’s go.”

He laughed as he followed her to the car he borrowed his father’s black Lincoln. They arrived at the prom with almost everyone already there. He opened the door and helped her out, he took her hand and linked it through his as they walked into the large rented mansion together. “Isn’t this great?” he sighed in awe when they were inside. The place was humongous with an open glass ceiling where you could see the clear sky with stars twinkling in the distance.

“Beautiful.” She sighed. She was giddy when she pointed to the rounded fireplace “Look, there’s a fireplace.”

He smiled, knowing she had a thing for fireplaces “You want to get a closer look?”

Kathy smiled in return, he knew it was a yes. They sat down closer and eventually, Kathy was leaning on the circular stone that separated the person from the fire that was burning softly. “Don’t stand too close or she’ll cook like a roast pork.”

Her smile faded but she refused to turn around because it would only ruin her moment. Instead Neil turned angrily but he didn’t have a chance to do anything because she placed her hand on his arm “Don’t Neil. Just let it go.”

“Get the hell out of my face.” Neil said through gritted teeth.

“Oooh…do you want an alone moment with your FAT girlfriend?” it was the same guy that teased her a month before at the playground. His name was Charles, but they called him Big Chuck. She learned to dodge him in the hallways and never to look at him in the eye.

“Shut up.” He said threateningly. Neil turned to Kathy “Just one punch.” He was practically begging.

“No!” she cried. She knew he would regret it, afterall it was their prom. She definitely didn’t want to remember it like that. She let out a long sigh and took his hand “Come on.” She led him out to the balcony with eyes staring at them strangely. Outside, she turned to him “Neil, I will make you take me home right now if you don’t control your temper. What’s the matter with you? You never had an anger problem.”

He lowered his head in shame “It just makes my blood boil when he makes fun of you and I can’t do anything to stop it. I know kids are cruel but how could you stand it for so long? I sure can’t.”

Kathy’s eyes softened and guilt took over hard, she knew he got angry because he wanted to protect her. But at the same time she felt bad for being the cause of his temper, he use to be so calm. “Too bad it can’t do anything for your shyness.” She joked aside from the tension. He let out a sigh and she knew it was no joking matter. Kathy put up her hands in defense “Okay…I know it’s not funny. You just want to help me right?” he nodded with a grim smile “If I stood up to him, would you stop getting angry?”

Neil seemed to be putting much thought into it. He wasn’t sure if he thought it was a good idea for her to face the captain of the football team. “Well…yeah…” he said hesitantly.

She put up a hand to silence him “Say no more.” She marched inside and tapped Big Chuck on the shoulder. He turned around and gave her a surprised look “Why do you make fun of me?” she asked calmly.

“Why are you so fat?” he quipped causing a ripple of laughter rise behind him where a bunch of guys stood listening.

“Why are you so stupid?” she answered just as quick making his face fall.

“Get out of my face. You’re not welcomed here.” He said angrily.

Kathy crossed her arms with Neil behind her ready to throw a punch if they dared touch her “As I recalled, this is not your home. It’s the Prom, everyone with a ticket can enter. Isn’t it a little early to be dreaming poor boy?”

This time a few other people sitting around began to laugh. Neil stifled a laugh, glad that Kathy has finally taken a step further to the horrible teasing. Big Chuck was finally flustered as he used the only thing he knew how to use, force “I have no problems hitting a girl.” He pulled back his hand and was ready to punch her.

Kathy’s first reaction was to cover herself but she didn’t need to with Neil behind her as he caught the guy’s hand quickly. With his free hand he threw a punch at his face. The crowd began to erupt with stir as a few people began to chant “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

“And I have no problem hitting your crappy face!” Neil cried over the chant. Kathy quickly pulled him aside.

“Neil, you promised!” she cried angrily.

He looked at her incredulously “He tried to hit you.”

Kathy closed her eyes to calm herself “I know…but you didn’t have to hit him. You stopped him, isn’t that enough?”

“No.” he said stubbornly crossing his arm. He knew they would be kicked out of the prom when the chaperons found out he was in a fight. He took her arm gently “Come on, this place sucks. Let’s go somewhere else.”

She pushed aside her anger and nodded “Fine.”

Chapter 3

She looked up “You can tell?”

“You usually inhale that burger before I take my second bite.” He kidded.

Kathy began playing with the French fries “Can you blame me?” she rolled her eyes upward. “I told you I didn’t want you to get violent.”

“I didn’t…If I was violent, I would have picked him up and threw him in the fireplace. Or threw him over the balcony.” He was exaggerating and she knew it. A slow smile crossed her face when she pictured it in her head. “But I’ll tell you one thing.” He leaned in as he whispered “It felt soooo good to punch him.”

Kathy laughed for the first time that night “I’m sure it did.”

Even with the laugh, he knew she wasn’t back to normal “What’s bothering you Kathy?”

She looked up with a grim expression “You’re getting too good. Stop reading my face.” She scolded.

“What are best friends for? Now tell me, what’s wrong?” he pushed aside his burger and gave her his full attention.

“Do you know what I want to be when I grow up?” she asked randomly.

Neil shook his head “You never told me. What do you want to be?”

“A designer. Fashion designer.” She said with a sigh.

“Really? Wow…I thought you were going to say a Donut cooker…” he laughed as he let her whack him across the arm.

“Very funny. You know you’re the only one that can get away with the fat jokes.” She scolded and he smiled brightly knowing what kind of privilege it was. “No, I’ve always wanted to be one…since I began taking those art classes in 9th grade, I knew it was a dream.”

“So what does this have to do with my temper?” he gulped down the soda, slurping the remaining in the cup.

“Nothing.” She smiled “But it means I will be gone after graduation.”

His sudden interest in the empty cup of coke was lost when he turned to her in shock “Where are you going?”

“I applied to the University of Toronto, Canada…” she waited for his reaction.

He looked saddened when he finally asked her “For how long?”

“Four years of school and maybe one year of internship….then maybe I’ll come back.” She was hesitant to tell him the last part.

Neil was distraught “Maybe? Why? You don’t like it here?” he was desperate to keep his best friend.

“Silly guy. Of course I like it here, I was born and raised here. But life goes on. What if I’m happy over there? Anyways, by the time I come back, you’ll probably work for a huge modeling agency as a photographer and might even be married. Personally, I’d rather live a lonely life then to be tied down.” She was being harsh but part of it was true. Somewhere in her heart, she had given up on men…except for Neil of course. But there was no way he would ever fall for her.

“You won’t be lonely.” He said convincingly.

Kathy laughed “I don’t think I have a choice. Look at me! I’m a 5 feet 3 girl weighing almost 200 pounds, no one will want me. I wouldn’t want me!”

Neil looked at her sadly, feeling sorry for her “Don’t say that. You won’t die alone. I guarantee it.”

“Thanks, but I know what I’m good for….a good laugh.” She sighed and at the same time trying to hide the tears that were welling in her eyes.

“No, you’re not. You’re a good friend and a wonderful person. You are beautiful inside and out. I should know, I’m your best friend…no one else’s opinion should matter unless it is the same as mine.” He smiled as he thought of something. He took a napkin and looked up at her “Got a pen?”

She nodded blankly as she pulled it out from her black purse “What for?”

He began scribbling something that she could not see. Every time she arched her neck to look he would cover it with his hand. He wanted to do something for her, a promise that would definitely raise her spirits. He wanted her to gain more courage and strength, maybe this note would help her. “Here, now you can read it, nosy.”

Kathy took the napkin from his hand: ‘This is a promise that you will never be alone. When you return from Hong Kong and you still have no boyfriend, I will take on this job and take care of you for the rest of your life. You will never die a lonely soul and I won’t ever let anyone pick on you again. Neil class of 95’ A smile was plastered on her face while she read the note. She knew what he was trying to do and she was thankful for his attempt “Thank you. You’ve definitely made my night.” She folded it up and put it in her pocket.

“Don’t lose that now, it’s like a receipt. No returns within 30 days.” he laughed at his own lame joke.

“So I have 30 days to think about it?” she asked teasingly.

“No, more like 15 days. That’s the day of our graduation. I’ll expect an answer.” He said firmly nodding his head. She smiled and nodded. Finally getting back her taste bud, she finished her burger and half of the third one they ordered.

**************

On the day of their graduation, Neil appeared to be completely out of it. He knew it would be the last day he could spend with his best friend. Kathy’s flight was that very night. He didn’t smile most of the pre-grad party or the practice. Only when Kathy ran up and hugged him happily after they were announced graduates did he smile.

“We did it! Four long years and we finally did it.” She laughed giddily.

Neil couldn’t help but laugh too. It was so contagious when Kathy laughed, he was going to miss that terribly. “I know.”

She pulled away gently and tilted her head “What’s wrong?”

He dodged her eyes because he didn’t want her to see the tears that were dying to crawl out “Nothing…”

Kathy raised her eyebrows “Are you crying?” she laughed as she reached around his neck hugging him while her other hand smoothed his neck “Awww…it’s okay Neil. I’ll never forget you. Even when I’m rich and famous, I’ll always remember the little people.”

Neil laughed while the tears came out freely “I’m going to miss you Kathy. Who’s going to make me laugh now? You better write every chance you get and don’t you dare forget to call me.” He threatened.

“Or what? You’re going to punch me?” she laughed and he squeezed her even tighter making her suffocate. “Hey, you’re squeezing the fat out of my skin.” She kidded.

He loosened up his grip but still wouldn’t let go “Why do you have to go?”

“You’re whining.” She reminded. “Hey, you gonna let me breath or what? People are looking at us funny.” She noticed the glances.

“I don’t care.” He continued to hug her unable to let go “Why can’t you go to school here?”

Kathy laughed “We’ve talked about this before. Come on now, you’ve got to let go some time.” She coaxed while gently pushing him off her.

After a moment, he finally let go “Do you still have that napkin?”

She frowned “What napkin?” Suddenly it dawned on her “Oh yeah…I used it to clean the dust off the shelf, it’s in the trash somewhere.” She didn’t want to hold him up on the offer knowing that she would definitely not have a boyfriend by the time she returned from school.

Neil looked hurtfully at her but he smiled “I knew you would pull that trick.” He pulled out a neatly folded purple envelope. It was her favorite color “Here it is in writing. If you lose this, you’ll force me to punch you when you come back.” He threatened.

She took the envelope without opening it “Thank you.” She whispered with a smile, tears already covering her face as she reached up and hugged him warmly. Without thinking she turned over and kissed him on the cheek.

His face was a look of shock when she pulled away. He touched the part where she kissed him “That was the most intimate thing you’ve ever done…”

“And the last.” She smiled warmly before glancing at her watch. “I’ve got to go now.”

Neil’s face turned solemn “Why? I thought we were going to have dinner first?”

She shook her head “No, that last flight was too full, they had to move some passengers to the earlier flight. So being a good Samaritan that I am, I offered to take the earlier flight.” He pouted “Can you give me a lift?”

“I don’t have a choice do I?” he smiled.

“Nope!” She said brightly “I’ve got to get my luggage first, so take me home and then to the airport.”

“Yes, mam. And would madam like anything else?” he disguised his voice in the most professional voice.

“Yeah…don’t ever call me mam again, I’m not 80 years old. I prefer Miss.” She nodded delicately making him laugh. It was the girliest act he has ever seen on her.

They rode together in silence on the way to the airport, collecting their thoughts before saying goodbye. Kathy would not admit it to Neil but she did not want to leave but she wanted to start a new life. Nothing was worth remembering in Hong Kong except for her best friend and family. Unfortunately, it was the same place that scarred her ego and not to mention her dignity. Maybe she would have the courage to change her life once she’s faced in a foreign country and foreign people.

Again they hugged endlessly before she got on the plane. When the final call for her flight came over the intercom, she tapped him on the back gently “Neil, it’s time to let go now. I have to go.”

He gave her one last squeeze before letting go “I know…take care of yourself.” He smiled despite the sadness of the event “Write to me, okay?”

“Yes, momma. I will.” She gave him one last grin before disappearing down the corridor.

Neil stood there motionless, watching his best friend leaving and not returning for at least five years. His heart ached when he realized life would not be the same without her. The laughter they shared, the crazy food contests and the sarcasm would be a mere memory to him now. He said a silent prayer for her to have a safe flight before leaving the airport, his head glued to the ground while his hands were pushed inside his jeans.

SIUBINGLIBRARY