A few days later,
Lukas and his family were preparing to go back home.
"Luke, you need to say goodbye to your friend Heath," his parents said gently.
Lukas' heart suddenly felt heavy.
"But Mom… why can't we stay?" he asked, his voice trembling as tears gathered in his eyes.
His parents knelt beside him and calmed him down. After a while, Lukas gathered the courage to say farewell.
He walked to Heath's house and knocked on the front door.
"Heath! Heath!" Lukas called out.
Heath's parent opened the door and smiled warmly.
"Oh, it's you, Lukas. Come in."
"Heath is still asleep. Could you wake him up for us?" they asked kindly.
"Sure, ma'am!" Lukas replied.
He hurried upstairs and quietly entered Heath's room.
"Hey, Heath… wake up. Hea—Heath, wake uppp," Lukas said playfully.
He paused.
He stared at Heath's face, admiring how peaceful—how handsome—he looked even in his sleep.
"Wake up, Heath, or I'll lie beside you," Lukas teased softly.
He carefully lay down next to him and noticed something.
Heath was pretending to sleep.
"You know, Heath… do you have a sibling?" Lukas asked.
"…."
"Oh, I guess you're an only child then," Lukas said, letting out a small laugh.
Silence filled the room.
"Heath… do you know why I'm here?" Lukas whispered.
Still no response.
"It's because… I'm going back to my hometown tonight."
Lukas forced a small, melancholy smile.
Suddenly Heath sat up.
"What?! You're leaving?!" His voice cracked, and tears welled up in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Heath," Lukas said softly.
"No… why now?" Heath cried.
Lukas pulled him into a tight hug.
"I'll come back if I have time," Lukas whispered.
Heath didn't speak. He just nodded against Lukas' shoulder.
"Then promise me you'll come back, alright?" Heath said, trying to hold his tears back.
Lukas nodded.
Soon, it was time.
He said his final goodbyes to Heath and his family.
As Lukas' car slowly drove away, Heath stood outside, waving desperately.
Lukas pressed his hand against the window, waving back—tears silently falling down his cheeks.
And as the distance between them grew, so did the ache in their hearts.