“How long will you pack for?”
“Probably an hour, or until I can’t be bothered anymore,” Kimona replied.
“Nooo, I meant how many days will you pack for, but I think you knew that,” Dale chuckled.
Kimona giggled and sighed when she looked at the job in hand. “I don’t know. I think I’ll do a week first and then decide what I want to do after. If I need more things, I can always just buy out there,” she said.
“Well I’m just relieved Ms Bashir isn’t so insistent on you permanently moving to England anymore. I still can’t believe she thought her getting you exiled was going to make anything any better,” Dale said. “I know what happened to Sir Ron’s family was awful, but it was a stroke of luck it happening when the news crew were right there. That piece on you made everyone remember how much you’re one of us and that you belong here.”
Kimona blushed and moved some hair behind her ear. “Well thanks Dale. That... er, last bit was nice to hear.”
“Look, I’ll leave you to it. What time are you leaving for Truumdale?”
“In a couple of hours. I just need to get on and pack,” she said. “Alexa, what is the weather like in London this week?”
“Next week in London, England, will be mostly cloudy with some rain showers expected by Thursday. Temperature will reach as high as twenty degrees Celsius with lows of eleven degree Celsius.”
“Yup, that sounds like England,” Dale said, leaving the room.
Kimona collapsed on her bed, looking into her wardrobe and the empty case in front of it. Her cell vibrated and she looked to see what the notification was. It was Dylan. JUST BEEN TO SEE RON. HE’S AWAKE! :D
That’s good news, she thought to herself. But enough distractions, she had a suitcase to pack.
***
“Does this bring back memories?” Raj asked handing Kimona a soda.
“Yes, and not particularly great ones.”
“Oh come on, you met us that day!” Adam joked.
“Yeah and I also flew into that thankfully rebuilt food stall. Was it always a coffee stand?”
“No, they changed it after you broke it,” Raj said.
The trio were sat in the same square over looking the fountain jets that Kimona ran through on the day she resurfaced in Truumdale. Later on up the road was where she had a car crash into her and then beyond there was where Raj and Adam came to her rescue.
“Are you looking forward to going back to England?” Raj asked before sneezing.
“Excited actually, bless you. It’s better that it’s now my choice to go and what with how intense things have been, it’s just good to be going away somewhere and not have to be Agwé.”
“Being badass can be tiring,” Adam said, lining up his empty soda bottle for a throw in the trash. He took his time and threw it, with it landing straight in. “Yes!”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“Nice! Anyway though, things all good with you both? School ok?”
“We both have girlfriends now,” Adam said. “I’m the only one in the Robotics Club that has one. I’m like a God now!”
“And I’m now not the only single one in A/V club!” Raj cheered playfully.
“Wow, girlfriends?”
“Yeah, we’re A-listers in school now because of you, it’s amazing! The jocks actually ask to sit with us nerds. We’re untouchable now!”
“Is that why you insisted on taking selfies earlier?” she asked.
“Yeah, we’ve got to keep the ‘Gram hot, right!” Adam said.
Kimona couldn’t help but laugh at her friends. They’d grown up since she met them and this connection they had with her seemed to given them a spring in their step.
But she did have a word of caution for them. “Just promise me guys that you won’t take advantage of people or situations by using my name. I don’t mind you letting people know that you know me, but don’t abuse it for ill gains, alright? If I find out you are, then you know what will happen, right?”
The boys looked at each other. “You’ll… hurt us?” Raj asked uncertainly.
“Not physically," she laughed out loud, then going all seriously, "but I will reputationally. Don't forget I’ve still got CCTV footage of you both dancing round my pool to ‘Walking On Sunshine’. I’ll leak it and all your school mates can see your scrawny asses goofing around the pool. And then I’ll get you in big trouble with your parents.”
“Ok, well we wouldn’t do those things you said anyway. We just like the attention.”
“I know, but just treat it right, ok?” She got up from the bench. “Shall we get out of here and head to the beach? Watch the sunset?”
The boys happily nodded in agreement at the idea.
***
Later on, Kimona sat and watched the Departures board at Miami airport, waiting for a sign of which gate her flight would depart from. Her cell rang in her pocket, cutting out the song she was listening to.
Accepting the call on her headphones cable, she smiled when she heard Dylan’s voice.
“Hey Kim, you alright?”
“I’m good Dyl, how are you?”
“Good thanks. Just wanted to wish you a safer flight back to England than you had coming here,” he burst out laughing.
“Yeah thanks, you shit,” she said. “How’s Sir Ron doing?”
“Much better, walking around now. The funerals are all in a couple of days, but apart from that, he’ll make a full recovery.”
“Good, I’m pleased to hear.” Kimona noticed the board change, now stating the gate her flight was leaving from. “Trust my gate being the complete furthest point away from me right now,” she complained.
“Ooof, that’s rough. I’ll let you go though. We going to catch up when you get back?”
“Of course! I’ll see you then.”
“Take care Kimona!”