6. Goodbye for now

James woke up early, sunlight pouring into his bedroom through the big bay windows. He lived in a beautiful colonial-style house. The house was big, but not overly fancy, with a spacious yard, tall oak trees, and a swimming pool in the back. The inside had polished wooden floors, lots of windows, and modern furniture that made it feel warm and welcoming.

His bedroom was neat and cozy. There was a queen-sized bed with blue-and-white bedding, a desk with his sleek Power Mac G4 Cube computer, and a pre-release iPod sitting next to it. Shelves along one wall held books and law textbooks he was reading for college.

James changed into a T-shirt and workout shorts, heading down the hall to the home gym. The gym wasn't huge, but it had everything he needed—a treadmill, weights, and a weight machine. One side of the room had large windows overlooking the backyard and pool, making the space feel open and relaxing.

James started his workout with a light run on the treadmill. He liked keeping fit; his new body was much taller and stronger than in his previous life, and he didn't take it for granted. He followed up with some weightlifting before wiping off the sweat and heading upstairs to shower.

The bathroom was modern and simple, with tiled walls and a glass shower. The warm water helped him relax after the workout. By the time he finished, the smell of coffee and breakfast was coming from the kitchen. Wrapping himself in a towel, James walked into his room, stopping to glance at himself in the full-length mirror on the closet door.

He still wasn't used to this face. In his old life, he had been average in every way—height, looks, and build. Now, he was 6'1" with a toned body and sharp features. His dark brown hair fell naturally into place, and his bright blue eyes stood out. He looked… good. Better than he ever had before.

[Image of 18 year old James]

James quickly changed into comfortable clothes before heading downstairs. The kitchen was bright and welcoming, with white cabinets, a large island, and modern appliances. Emily was sitting at the dining table with a cup of coffee and the morning newspaper.

"Morning, sweetie," she said with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, morning," he replied, grabbing some orange juice.

A few moments later, Thomas walked in, holding a phone. "Hey, kiddo. What's on the plan for today?"

"There's a party tonight," James said, pouring himself some juice. " As usual, Sarah's hosting it."

"Sounds fun," Thomas said with a grin. "You should go enjoy yourself. You deserve it after all your hard work."

Emily smiled. "You'll miss these days when they're gone. Make sure to have fun while you can."

Breakfast was simple—scrambled eggs, toast, and fresh fruit. They ate together, chatting about the day ahead. The house always felt peaceful in the mornings, and James couldn't help but feel grateful for his life here.

After breakfast, James spent some time relaxing in the living room. It had a big leather couch, a flat-screen TV (fancy for the time), and a sound system Thomas had installed. Family photos decorated the shelves, reminding James of how far he'd come in this life.

As James sat on the couch, he started thinking about his high school friends. There were five of them in the group, and each one was special in their own way.

Sarah was the planner of the group, always organizing meetups and keeping everyone connected. She was heading to Berkeley to study architecture. Kevin was the funny one, always cracking jokes and pulling pranks. He was going to USC to study film and work on his dream of becoming a comedian.

Mia, the quiet artist, loved drawing. She had even sketched their group sitting under the big oak tree at school. She was moving to New York for art school. Ethan, the smartest of them, was the go-to person for help with schoolwork. He was off to MIT to study engineering.

James smiled as he thought about all the good times they'd had together. But it felt strange knowing that none of them were going to Stanford with him. Everyone was heading in a different direction.

Still, he wasn't upset. He was happy for them and excited to see where life would take them. The party tonight at Sarah's would be their chance to have one last fun night together before they all started their new journeys.

That evening came quickly. James stood in front of the mirror in his bedroom, straightening the collar of his navy-blue shirt. He paired it with dark jeans and sneakers, keeping it simple but neat.

The walk to Sarah's house wasn't far, but it gave him a moment to reflect. Back then, they were just kids, awkward and unsure. Over the years, they'd become inseparable, sharing every laugh, struggle, and dream. Now, with college around the corner, their paths were about to go in different directions.

When James reached Sarah's house, he immediately spotted it. Warm string lights glowed around the porch, their soft light spilling onto the street. From inside, the sound of music and laughter created an inviting buzz. He took a breath and stepped onto the porch.

Before he could knock, the door flew open.

"James! Finally!" Sarah exclaimed, pulling him into a quick, warm hug.

"Hey, I'm not late," James said with a laugh as she ushered him inside.

"Technically, no. But Kevin's been unbearable," Sarah replied, rolling her eyes dramatically.

The living room was alive with movement and familiar faces. Kevin sprawled on the couch, his soda precariously balanced on the armrest. Mia was curled up in an armchair, her sketchbook open on her lap as her pencil glided over the page. Ethan leaned against the wall with his usual quiet confidence, sipping from a red cup. Near the snack table, Sarah's boyfriend, Nick, was munching on chips and watching the TV.

Kevin spotted James and immediately pointed. "Look who finally graced us with his presence! Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only James 'Mama's Boy' Bennett!"

James sighed but couldn't help smiling. "That's the best you've got? You've been sitting on that all night, haven't you?"

"Guilty," Kevin said, shrugging dramatically. "Unlike the rest of us who can't wait to move out, you're living the dream—still at home, still being pampered."

James shook his head and grabbed a soda from the table. "I just like my family, Kev. Not a crime to appreciate pancakes and clean laundry."

Sarah grinned, perching on the couch's armrest. "Honestly, if my mom made pancakes like Emily's, I'd reconsider leaving too."

"See?" James said, raising his can. "Sarah gets it."

"Yeah, but Sarah didn't leave because of her mom's pancakes," Kevin shot back. "Let's face it, James—you're scared of doing your own laundry."

James groaned. "I do my own laundry! Occasionally."

The group burst into laughter, even Ethan cracking a rare smile.

"Kev," Mia said, glancing up from her sketchbook, "you started packing the second you got your acceptance letter."

Kevin grinned. "Damn right I did. Palm trees, sunshine, and film classes at USC? Plus, my mom's already turning my room into a yoga studio, so I don't even have a choice."

"Some of us like having roots," James replied, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Doesn't mean I won't miss you guys, though."

The room quieted for a moment, the weight of his words sinking in.

"We've been friends for eight years," Sarah said softly, her eyes sweeping the room. "It's… crazy to think we won't see each other every day anymore."

"Yeah," Mia added, her pencil pausing mid-sketch. "I'm excited about New York, but this? This is what I'll miss."

Kevin cleared his throat loudly. "Okay, okay. No crying, people. We're supposed to be having fun tonight, not holding a therapy session."

"Spoken like someone who hasn't packed a single sentimental thing," Ethan said, his tone dry.

Kevin smirked. "Guilty as charged. But let's not get distracted—James, admit it. You'll miss me the most."

"Sure, Kev," James said, rolling his eyes. "I'll miss all your pranks, like the time you put a frog in Mrs. Klein's desk."

Sarah groaned. "Oh God, middle school! And I got detention for that."

"Details, details," Kevin said, waving a hand dismissively.

"Do you even regret it?" Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kevin pretended to think, then grinned. "Not even a little."

Laughter rippled through the group, the earlier tension lifting. Even Nick joined in, his usual quiet demeanor giving way to easy conversation.

"You guys are lucky," Nick said, his voice warm. "Not everyone has this. Eight years? That's rare."

Ethan nodded. "He's right. Even if we're all going different ways, this is special. We can't take it for granted."

Sarah reached for Nick's hand, giving it a soft squeeze. "You're surprisingly wise for the new guy."

"Thanks," Nick said, smiling. "I try."

Later, they moved to the backyard. The string lights cast a soft glow over the group as they sat in a loose circle, the cool night air brushing against their skin.

"You know what I'll miss most?" Mia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What?" James said.

"This," she replied, gesturing around. "Just being together. Talking about nothing and everything. It feels… safe."

Sarah nodded. "It's like time stops when we're all here."

Kevin groaned loudly, breaking the moment. "Okay, that's enough emotional vulnerability. Who needs another soda?"

Ethan stood. "I'll take one. But don't think we didn't catch you getting a little misty-eyed, Kev."

"Me? Misty-eyed? Never," Kevin said, grinning as he walked toward the cooler.

As the night wore on, their laughter softened, their voices quieting. They spoke of dreams, fears, and the promise—unspoken but deeply felt—that this wouldn't be the end.

When it was time to leave, Sarah hugged each of them tightly, her eyes glistening.

"Thanks for coming," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I love you guys."

"We love you too, Sarah," James replied, his throat tight.

The walk home felt different—heavier. But as James looked up at the stars, he felt thankful. Eight years of friendship, countless memories, and an unbreakable bond. It wasn't the end; it was just the beginning of something new.

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A.N:

Dear readers,

Don't think that this chapter is just some sort of word filling. Each and every person mentioned here is important and would definitely come up in future.....I don't introduce characters for the sake of it and let them appear for just one chapter.

Also guys, as English is my third language I often use Chat Gpt to correct the grammar and phrasing of sentences in my fanfiction. So if it feels robotic or unnatural to read please tell me, I will try my best to change that. Please vote below and give your opinions.

1) It feels like AI

2) 50/50

Au revoir.

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