ACES (CH-1)

AIRPORT

The ride to the airport was quiet. None of us said a word. Slow down by WDW was playing in the background. If it was any other day the three of us would have sing our lungs out. But today was different. Char was sitting in the passenger's seat, watching the road ahead fiddling with his fingers, which he does when he is nervous. Alex and I were in the backseat. She sat on the right side watching the buildings run as we drive by. And as for me I put my headphones in, softly playing song, which I usually do when I want to believe that whatever is happening is all part of a dream.

But sadly, things do not work like that. We were really on our way to the airport. It was raining a little. Guess the weather was also sad that ACES were going on their separate ways. As much as I want time to go as slow as possible. We already arrived at the airport. The forty-five-minute drive felt like a short ride to the grocery shop. After the car was parked, I was the first one to get out because if I stay a little longer, I could not have stopped my tears.

Char paid the driver and the three of us took our luggage and went inside. I still had my headphones in. I tried my best to distract myself but I could not. As we waited in the line to get our boarding passes, we ignored each other's glances. It was killing me to be this quiet because we three cannot keep our mouth shut when we are together. There is always something to talk about, to discuss, gossiping about something or someone. I think this is the first time since we met that we didn't have anything to talk about.

We were trying so hard to be strong and not to cry but I was not sure for how long I can hold my tears. We took our boarding passes and went to the waiting area. We had an hour till our flight. We sat side by side to each other and till now none of us said a word. We were looking everywhere but us. Except for the small nod, smile. I felt like we were strangers than best friends.

I could not stand the quietness between us, so I broke the silence "You guys hungry?", "Starving" Char said with a weak smile. Alex said "Me too. How's pizza sound?". I get up from my seat and said "Great. Let's go". We walk to the pizza place in silence again. Alex and I sat in a table; Char went to place our orders. Alex was telling me that hopefully Char will order Choco lava cake for us. It was the first time she spoke to me since we arrive to the airport.

I was agreeing to her when Char came with our orders and asked "What are you guys talking about?", "Oh thank god you brought the lava cake. I was telling Em if you didn't bring the cake, I would have thrown you in front of a plane" Alex said. Char and I laugh at her reply. And just for a few moments it felt like old times. Three of us, having pizza, talking about our wonderful journey. Suddenly an announcement was made that our flight was delayed by two hours due to rain.

"I guess destiny wants us to be together a little longer" Alex said. "Yeah. We are destined to be together" I said. "Hell yeah. After all we are the ACES" Char said with a smile. Though the flight was delayed by two hours, I know time will fly for us. Three of us sitting in that small table in the airport, having pizza and talking about our embarrassing moments, those happy memories. Laughing, softly hitting each other's arms while spilling secrets. Even though we know everything about each other, it's still nice to repeat those stories.

Only if it's for a few hours we forget that we are going on separate ways and will see each other once in a year or so. Everything is going to change after this. I was lost in my thoughts when suddenly Alex called me "Babe, what are you thinking about?". I smiled at her and answered "Nothing". "Okay as I was saying should we order shakes and go through memory lane one more time?" Alex suggested. "Yup you are right. I will go get the shakes" I said and was about to get up, then Alex said "No you sit I will get them".

Char was about to say something to her, she stopped him and said "I know our orders. So, sit back, I will go and come like the flash" she smiled at us and went. "Are you okay?" Char asked me. "Yeah, I am fine" I said with a weak smile. "I am just ----", "Sad and a feeling that you cannot describe by words" Char completed my sentence. "Yes. Exactly." I said and smile, holding back my tears. And by looking at Char he was also doing the same. After a few minutes Alex came back with the shakes.

She notices our teary eyes and asked "Hey you guys, okay?". We looked at her and notice she had puffy eyes. Looks like getting the shakes was just an excuse. She sat down. No one said a word. Shakes in each other's hand, slowly taking sips. "Guys" I said with a cracking voice and that was it, the three of us broke down. The tears that we were holding back since we left our apartment, that we called home for years. The three of us stand at the same time and hug each other and let all our feelings out. Alex and Char were more than just best friends, they are like my brother and sister.

And leaving them was the hardest part. It was a lot more painful than we thought. We pulled away and sat down. "I don't know what to say" I said wiping my tears but still I cannot stop them. "I know Koala. I feel the same way" Char said. I smiled at the nickname.

"Guys I don't know how will I manage without you too? Meeting you guys was the best thing in my life" Alex said tears flowing down her cheeks. "Me too" Char and I said together. Three of us crying our eyes out. "Hey Em do you remember how we first meet?" Char said smiling. "How can I forget, it was epic" I said crying and smiling. "You guys were crazy" Alex said.

I looked at both of them, smiled and thought of the day that start the most beautiful journey. The beginning of THE ACES.