~@~
Alice sighed deep as she stowed the last of the things she'd need for her stay at the dormitories of the Academy. Gau hadn't visited the entire week. It was as if he had written the little town out of his life. Alice had gotten into the habit of walking around town on the extreme outer edges of the Veldt hoping he would show himself. But everything remained calm and quiet, with not even a peep from the animals of the Veldt. It was as if they accused her of something she hadn't meant to do.
Hurt Gau’s feelings.
She kept replaying the scenario in her head, but it just made her feel even worse. And her guilt wouldn't let her give up the instant replay. She knew she had to sacrifice her pride to save their friendship.
There came a knock on her door. “Come ahead.”
A creak sounded as the door opened and a male voice spoke. “There's some Setzer guy at the inn asking for you. I told him I’d get you.”
“Thanks, Eric. Tell him I'm just about ready.”
He didn't move, and Alice clenched her jaw as she buckled closed the straps of her side bag. You know he's going to open his big mouth and ask about Gau. And if it's not him, it'll be Carol. The two were like an interrogation squad of the Empire the way they kept asking her what happened at Gau and her last meeting.
“So, like, why don't you finish out the year at least?”
“I told you. I need to get settled before the new year starts.”
“I know, but . . . geez, Alice, you're going to be gone for two years at least. You just got better from the Adamant mauling and you're leaving. It's not fair.”
Alice slung the bag over her shoulder and faced Eric--Gau stood just behind him. Alice looked away, self-consciously grabbing her large duffel to sling it over her other shoulder. “Sorry, guys, but life's never fair. I've got this chance, so I'm running with it.” Before she changed her mind. Before she let them persuade her differently.
She came up to them and met Eric's gaze. “See you around.”
He gave her a careful hug, pulling away with a lopsided grin. “Not if I see you first.” He touched her nose. “Keep it clean, Alice. We don't want no rebel coming from our town.”
Alice smiled. “Thanks.” She cleared her throat as she moved on to Gau. Same gray suit as a week before. Just as good in it. And just as welcome a sight as ever. “Thanks for everything, Gau,” she voiced softly. “I'll never forget you, or your Veldt.”
His face was tight and dark, and though his eyes looked like he wanted to say a million things, his lips were pressed into a thin mark of disapproval.
Alice cleared her throat again and lowered her eyes. “I'll write and keep you up on all that's happening. I'll try and come home whenever I can, too. All right?”
“Sure, Alice,” Eric said.
Alice nodded, glanced toward Gau, and then moved ahead to her mom and dad. After the tearful good-byes and promises to visit, she made her way out onto the front porch. Carol sat on the front step.
Carol turned and stood. “I knew you'd make it.”
Every snotty, snappy, back-stabbing word Alice had ever said hit her smack between the eyes, with Carol's innocent smile being the best voiced accusation of all. Alice's mouth went dry with her guilt, and she lowered her gaze to the floorboards of her porch as she stepped forward. “I know. Thanks for the vote of confidence.” She cleared her throat. “Good luck with school. I'll try and come back for graduation.”
Carol nodded with glimmering eyes, and then she pulled Alice into a hug. “It's not going to be the same without you looking down your nose at us girls and the pub.”
Alice flushed and pulled back. “Hey, I never--”
Carol smiled wider. “Oh yes you did, Alice Camf. We all knew that. Why do you think Paytha and Lena hate you so much?”
“Because I've got style?”
Carol giggled. “Sure, Alice, sure.” She stepped back. “Don't forget about us when you start making history. Promise? You're the one who got us together in the first place, what with all the emotional support I had to offer.” Carol winked. “I'll let you know how it works out.”
“Gee. Thanks.” Alice gestured toward the exit of town. “I better scoot. Before he leaves me behind.”
“Sure.” Carol pulled her into another hug. “Bye.”
Alice stepped back and turned to make her way down the porch steps, adjusting her grip on the bags as she saw the massive airship loom on the edge of town. Her throat tightened and she blinked as she swallowed hard. Cut the apron strings, Alice. She cleared her throat and swallowed again. You're about to realize your dream, girl. Don't get weepy now. Suck it up. She approached the inn, the last building in town before the exit, and gave the Innkeeper a nod and a smile. He waved back, causing Alice's eyes to mist as she looked away. Don't do this, Alice. You're not leaving forever. She jerked her head to toss some hair over her shoulder and cleared her throat yet again.
“Alice?”
Alice gave a start and halted, turning to her left to face Gau, who had come to walk beside her without a sound. She swallowed hard. “Yeah?”
He opened his mouth, immediately clicking it shut to press his lips into yet another thin line. Then he shifted his gaze to the airship . . . and then back to her. “Too many things to say. Not know where start.” She lowered her gaze. Gau breathed deep. “I miss you when go. No one read Veldt like you. No one . . . see me like you.” He pressed his lips together again. “I no happy you go, but I try see.”
Looking up with a tremulous smile, Alice whispered “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
To Alice’s surprise, Gau stepped forward and embraced her, making Alice close her eyes as she relived all the fun times they shared and the things she learned. Then Gau pulled back and stared down at her, examining each and every line and curve to her face.
Alice flushed and lowered her eyes again, raising them quickly when he reached out to lightly touch a lock of her hair. He rolled it between thumb and forefinger as his eyes intensely watched the action. “Gau 'member you, Alice," he said softly. Then he focused those golden-green eyes on her. “All time. If you no come back, Veldt heart be much sad.” A tear escaped her eyes, and he touched it away. “Gau heart be much sad.”
She swallowed again, sniffling several times before giving him another quivering smile and saying a choked “Bye” while turning toward the airship.
“No ‘bye’, Alice,” he said after her, voice low. “No ‘bye’.”
Alice gnawed her lower lip and hurried into the airship. Don't look back, Alice. It'll be easier if you don't look back. But was leaving home ever easy?
A man with pale hair and a scar across his left eye greeted her at the entry to the airship. He gave her a nod and a wink by way of greeting and eased her large duffel from her shoulder with an easy motion.
“Setzer Gabbiani. I'll be your pilot,” he told her with a voice as smooth as velvet. Then he turned and proceeded up the plank and into the airship.
Alice bit her lip and looked over her shoulder toward her home. Gau still stood at the entrance staring after her, Carol approaching from behind. When she stood beside him, she placed a hand on his arm and looked up into his face when he turned. After a moment of quiet conversation, the pair turned and began a circumference of the town on his Veldt.
Alice's throat tightened. Then she turned to enter the airship. “Bye, Gau.”