“There you are. I have been looking for you. Everyone is worried sick.”

Amber just continued on shooting hoops, ignoring what Henry was saying, not even acknowledging his presence.

Henry knew that when she was like this, there was something troubling her. He knows her that well. So he just stood aside, and waited for her to finish playing. When she decided to stop, he would know she would be Amber again. So he let her be.

When suddenly while he waited for her, she shouted in frustration and threw the ball elsewhere. She fell on her knees, and for the first time he saw Amber that weak.

He was shocked to see her like that. He rushed to her side and comforted her. “Amber, what’s wrong?” while he patted her back. He was even shocked that Amber hugged him tightly, and just cried there. He hugged her back, comforting her. All he wanted was for her to be okay again. He promised himself to wait for her to speak to him first in times when she’s like this. It is their unspoken agreement to wait when they are ready to talk about it.

After a while, she stopped crying. Henry let go of her and stood up, reaching his hand to help her stand up.

Henry gestured for her to jump of his back. “Carry you home? Just like the old times.” He beamed Amber his ever wide smile.

Amber jumped on his back, and he adjusted his back and shoulder to make her feel more comfortable.

Amber just hanged on his back, her arms on around his neck and shoulders. It was comfortable. “Thank you, Henry, for not asking questions. Thank you for not just being there for me, thank you for staying.” She thought, smiling, resting her head at the crook of his shoulder.

Henry noticed a sudden heaviness, signaling that she fell asleep. He just smiled. “I know something’s bothering you, Amber. I will always be here for you, no matter what happens, I will always be here, I promise.” He whispered, avoiding not waking Amber up.

When Henry reached Amber’s house, her mom lead Henry to her room. He dropped her at the bed, covered her with a blanket. “Be okay soon.” Henry kissed Amber’s forehead and left.

-x-

The next day, everything went back to normal, like nothing happened last night. Henry and Amber went back to their usual routine – hanging out, playing video games, eating out, etc.

Amber tried all her might to forget about what is troubling her, and went on with her life. She tried to hide her worries to everyone.

One night, Henry noticed something, rather someone.

He was shocked to see Amber in his room at middle of the night. “Amber? What are you doing here at this hour?” He said groggily.

Amber just scooted herself beside Henry in his bed. Just like when they were kids during sleepovers. She felt comfortable laying there beside him. He does too.

“Henry? You’re still awake?” Amber asked after a few minutes, turned to face Henry.

“Yeah.” Henry replied, half asleep already.

“What if we did not meet when we were kids? What if we did not become best friends?” Amber bombarded Henry with questions that had been troubling her for quite some time.

Henry knew Amber was now ready to talk about what was troubling her. “It is saddening, of course, because I did not get to meet you; experienced everything that we had gone through together.” Henry looked at her straight in the eye, serious.

Silence just filled the room. He was looking at the ceiling, waiting for her to speak again, when suddenly he felt ever so familiar embrace. Amber cuddled closer to Henry. “I can’t bear the thought of us not being friends; that I never met you.” Henry just felt sad knowing she felt that way.

“This is what’s bothering you?” He asked.

“I’m gonna miss you, you know,” Amber hugging him tight, ignoring his question.

“What? Why are going to miss me? It’s like you’re going away or something.” Henry joked.

Amber kept silent. Henry realized that true reason of her sadness. Henry sat up in shock; so many questions running thru his mind in that moment.

“Soon, I guess.” Amber leaned against the headboard of Henry’s bed. That was all that Amber could say about her leaving.

“Promise, nothing’s going to change between us, until the day I will leave.” Amber insisted. “Promise?” lifted up her pinky to Henry.

Henry just hugged her tight, “I promise.”

They stayed like that for quite some time, savoring each moment they still have left together.

-x-

As the day passed by, Henry kept his promise to Amber, not letting her feel that everything will soon change, not letting her see and feel his worries, his sadness.

“There you are!” Amber laughed. Amber found it humorous due to the sudden role change.

“I am going to miss that smile. But I am going to miss you more.” Henry said.

“Hey, we already talked about this, right?” Amber insisted.

“Yeah, I know.” Henry sighed. “There’s no change of treatment towards each other.” He just sighed over and over again don’t know what to say to her.

“Hey, don’t worry. I will be back sooner or later. Maybe we won’t even notice that four years have already gone by.” Amber took once last look of the place that meant so much to her. “Man, I am gonna miss everything about this place.” Amber frowned.

“Here.” Henry gave his favorite black checkered cap to Amber.

“Wow! You’re giving me this!” She chuckled. “Before, you won’t let anybody use this, not even me.”

“No, I let you borrow it for a while. Give it back to me after four years, for me, to make sure that we will meet again.” Henry smiled at her.

“Henry, you’re doing it again. Stop it!” Amber reminded him.

“Sorry, I can’t help it.” Henry frowned at the thought that there last meeting will soon to end.

“Let us meet again here, after four years…” Amber grabbed Henry’s arm to look at his watch, “2 pm, at this same spot. Deal?”

“Deal.” Henry chuckled.

They just stood there beside each other, cherishing every second that they have left.

Amber looked at his watch again and frowned. “Oh.”

“Come on! Let go back. You will be late for your flight.” Henry calmly said. Amber just stood there frozen.

“I let you right on my back.” Henry offered. “For old times' sake.” Amber jumped on his back. This always makes her happy.

They just laughed on their way back.

-x-

Henry waved goodbye to Amber that was all he could do at that moment as their car drove away.

“I kept my promise, Amber. No sudden change of treatment. I regret keeping that promise. Because of that, I stop myself from saying what I truly feel. I guess after four years, I could break that promise and finally say how much I love you. Goodbye, Amber. See you soon.”

As they drove away, Amber looked at the window to see Henry for the last time, waving at him. “I’ll be back, soon. I promise. I’m sorry for leaving you, choosing my dreams over our friendship, over you. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for letting me, fulfill my dream. I love you, Henry. I always will.”

A/N: I'm sorry I know I promise more happy stories, but I couldn't pass the chance of making a story out of this plot. :) Soon I will think of happy plots. Hope you liked it. Feel free to comment.