Daisy leans into him. "Aww, is the little bitch gonna cry?"
"Iwillcry," he says proudly. "In the damn plane. Loudly. People are gonna ask if I'm okay."
Rava reaches for the album. "This is actually…really sweet." Noah stands up slowly, like his limbs are ten times heavier than usual. His eyes are glassy. Rava gets up with him, without a word.
The mood shifts. Just a little. "I guess," Noah says, "I should go sleep before I miss my damn flight."
Lorenzo grabs him by the shoulders and pulls him in like they're reuniting after a war. "Promise me you'll come back. Or I'll come to Canada and make it everyone's problem."
"I'd pay to see that," I mutter.
"I'd pay not to," Noah shoots back, but his voice cracks. They hug. It’s dramatic and stupid. Daisy pulls him in next. Kisses his cheek. "You better text every day."
"Every day? Girl I have a life."
She smacks his arm. "You don't."
Then all three of them look at me. I stand. Feel Rava glance at me, just for a second, before turning back to Noah. I give Noah a nod. "You're alright, tattoo boy."
He smiles at me, shocked. "Coming from you? I'm framing that." He steps in for a quick hug.
I let him. Squeeze his shoulder maybe a second too long.
Just enough to say thanks without saying anything at all.
"You'll come back," I say. "Don't be a stranger."
"You'll miss me."
"Shut up."
He turns to Rava last. Neither of them speaks. Rava just looks at him like he's trying to memorize him. Noah's lips twitch.
"Come on, bro. Walk me out before I start sobbing in front of your almost-boyfriend."
Rava rolls his watery eyes, and pushes him.
They walk out together. And the room feels smaller.
20) Hospital
Rava
Noah is hugging my mom and I still have one of the backpack straps in my hand. Dad just offers a polite nod. Ι watch him walk away like I’m never going to see him again. Super dramatic. He turns one last time. "I'll text you the second I land," he says.
"You better."
"And Rava?"
"Yeah?"
He reaches up, grabs my face with both hands. "Talk to him." I roll my eyes, but I don’t pull away. "Okay."
"Not just moody glances and soft sighs.Talkto him."
"Okay."
"I mean it."
