Episode 48: Scene Seven

Sharon hugged her best friend for the tenth time. They were now at the airport, where Sharon was awaiting her flight number to be announced for boarding. "It's going to be okay, Kate. I'm happy now."

Kate sniffled and attempted to smile. "Yeah, I know," she answered softly. "But it's going to be so empty here without you. Who am I going to roast marshmallows in the microwave with? Who am I supposed to depend on to help me with homework at one in the morning?"

Sharon shrugged. "Your new roommate, I suppose."

Kate shook her head stubbornly. "I won't get a roommate after you leave. I refuse to."

"Kate, you have to."

"No I don't, and I won't either. You're the only person that I've shared that room with in the past three years, and it's going to stay that way! I don't think I could take having to look at another person every morning wishing that it was you. I'd hate them because they weren't you."

Sharon nodded sympathetically. "So how are things with Zach?"

"I don't know. I got a strange phone call this morning, so I went to look for him. He must not have been at school today, because I looked all over for him, Shar. I'm afraid he's gone. I may have lost him and now I'm losing you too. I don't know if I can take it," Kate's lip quivered.

Sharon rubbed Kate's back assuringly. "Yes you can. You're stronger than you're letting on, Kate, and you know it. I'll write you all the time with the latest on my brother and school up there. Oh, and I'll call you every night so we can have our nightly dish on the day's happenings. It'll be just like it has been."

"Flight #1706. Flight #1706. We are now beginning pre-boarding. We are now beginning pre-boarding," the female voice announced over the PA.

"Well, it looks as if I'm about to leave," Sharon turned back towards Kate.

"You had already planned to leave this morning, hadn't you?" Kate questioned softly.

Sharon nodded. No more words would come.

For several moments the two girls just stood looking at each other. They were secretly going over the thousand-and-one memories that they shared, the many trials they'd overcome, and the unbreakable bond that they felt was between them. They hoped and prayed that it was unbreakable.

"Well, I guess you'd better go," Kate's voice was hoarse and raspy. "You don't want to miss your flight."

"No, I guess not," Sharon said.

The two stared.

"Goodbye, Sharon," Kate finally said.

"Goodbye, Kate."

Kate couldn't help but hug Sharon. "Friends forever," she whispered into Sharon's ear.

"Friends forever," Sharon whispered back.

Kate released Sharon with blurry eyes and watched her get in line to board the plane. Sharon was her best friend, and to let her go like that was to tear a piece of Kate's heart out of her, never to be replaced.

She kept her eyes on Sharon until she walked through the narrow portal leading to the plane. As soon as she was out of sight, Kate walked silently to the window, where she could see the plane right outside. For minutes she just stood there, clinging to the memories that she vowed never to forget. Soon the plane's engine began showing signs of life, eventually backing out and making its way down the tangled web of runways. Only a minute or so later, it's engine was roaring and racing down the final runway, getting ready to take flight.

Kate placed her hand on the window. "Friends forever."