Jade had spent just over twenty days at Idris's parents' country house. The rest of the vacation was spent at home, with her mother maintaining her work routine as if time hadn't stopped. As soon as she returned, Jade didn't want to waste a minute: she applied to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She wanted something to focus on, something to distract her from the feeling that everything was changing too fast.
Idris, on the other hand, had already received the university's response. He had his bags packed to move to Chicago, where he would study law at the University of Chicago Law School. It was his dream, the future he had planned for as long as he could remember. But behind the enthusiasm, there was a silent knot in his chest.
While Jade checked her emails, her cell phone vibrated on the desk. A notification appeared on the screen.
"You're coming, aren't you?"
The simple message made her heart clench. It was the last day with her best friend.
"Of course I'll go. I can't resist your mother's cooking."
She replied with a playful emoji, trying to disguise her feelings.
Idris's parents were preparing a farewell lunch that Sunday. It would be the last one before the trip. They would spend the afternoon together, and at the end of the day, Richard and Stella would take him to Chicago.
Jade even invited her mother, Lisa, but she refused with a tired smile.
"Go ahead, my dear. It's important for you. I'm going to take the opportunity to rest a little," she said, adjusting the cushion on the sofa.
Lisa and Stella, Idris's mother, had once been great friends, but the death of Carl, Jade's father, had distanced Lisa from social life. They still spoke occasionally in chance encounters at the market, always with restrained affection, but grief had left deep marks on her.
After her shower, Jade stood in front of the wardrobe, observing the options. Simple, cute clothes, some new and others already worn from use. She ended up choosing a simple military green denim jumpsuit that went down to mid thigh, and a plain white t-shirt underneath. She knew Idris had seen her wear that same outfit several times, but she didn't care.
She combed her hair, put on some perfume, and slipped on her black Converse sneakers. She walked through the living room, kissed her mother's forehead, and left the house. The walk to the Merrick's house was reasonably short, bordered by narrow sidewalks and old trees that cast shadows on the hot asphalt.
With each step she took, her anxiety grew. It was very strange to think that this would be her last day with him before everything changed. She felt a chill in her stomach, the same one she had felt days ago at the country house in front of the fireplace, when a near-kiss had lingered between them.
When she arrived in front of the house, the white wooden gate was ajar. Jade pushed it open slowly and followed the path of cement stepping stones surrounded by damp, glistening grass. The sprinkler droplets glistened under the August sun, and the air smelled deliciously of damp earth mixed with barbecue smoke.
Richard Merrick's imported car was parked in the garage, polished as always. Jade climbed the porch steps, sheltered from the sun under the awning, and rang the doorbell.
The door opened almost immediately.
"I thought you weren't coming anymore!" said Idris, grinning from ear to ear, making room for her to enter.
The smell of food wafted through the house—grilled chicken, potatoes, and garlic bread—and the sound of laughter came from the backyard. Idris led her to the kitchen, where Stella was putting ice cubes in a pitcher of lemonade.
"Hi, dear! Your mother didn't want to come?" she asked with her usual gentle smile.
"No, Mrs. Merrick. She wanted to rest a little."
Stella's smile remained, but her eyes became soft and understanding.
"I understand… she's been working very hard, hasn't she…" She placed the pitcher and crystal glasses on a stainless steel tray. "Come on, the table is already set outside."
The two accompanied her to the backyard. The place was enormous and inviting: a bluish pool reflected the sun, surrounded by lounge chairs and a solid wood pergola. Underneath it, a large table was set, and the aroma of grilled hamburger meats wafted from the barbecue where Richard tended the coals. Behind it was a living wall of white rose bushes that formed a magazine-worthy scene.
Richard looked in their direction and smiled warmly.
"Well, if it isn't Jade Marlowe! Long time no see, young lady!"
"Hello, Mr. Merrick. How are you?"
"Very well! And you? I heard about your SAT score. Congratulations!"
Jade blushed.
"Thank you, sir. All credit goes to your son."
"He told me he helped you, but you were the one who took the test." Richard winked and went back to the barbecue.
Idris appeared with two glasses of lemonade and sat down beside her. Jade smiled, watching the Merrick couple exchange affectionate gestures in the backyard. Richard kissed his wife's face from time to time, and Stella laughed at each silly comment he made. They seemed like a living portrait of love and constancy.
Lunch was light and quiet, with small conversations and occasional laughter. The sound of cicadas and the rustling of the wind in the rose bushes completed the scene. When they finished, the two went up to Idris's room, both with a bowl of strawberry sundae in their hands.
The room had a soft, refreshing scent mixed with the smell of fabric softener from the sheets. Jade sat on the round rug and observed the almost empty space, feeling the weight of the absence that was to come. She deduced that the suitcases and boxes had already been taken down before she even arrived.
"Are you really going to take everything?" "What's wrong?" she asked, taking a spoonful of ice cream.
"Practically everything. I can't be without my things, you know." Idris chuckled softly, but his gaze wandered for a moment.
"You must be anxious." Her tone was soft but carried a genuine pride.
"Anxious, nervous, all at the same time. I barely slept last night." He lay on his side, resting his head on his hand, with the wide smile of someone trying to appear calm.
Before Jade could answer, they heard slow footsteps in the hallway. Stella appeared in the doorway with the same sweet smile.
"Hi kids. I don't want to interrupt, but… it's time, son."
Her voice sounded gentle, but Idris and Jade exchanged a look with heavy hearts. The bowls were placed on the desk and the two went downstairs together.
Outside, Richard had already taken the car out of the garage. Stella adjusted her bag on her shoulder and spoke to her husband, who was checking something in the trunk. The late afternoon breeze ruffled Jade's cherry colored hair. She took a deep breath trying to sound calm, but her voice came out weak.
"I think… it's time for you to go."
"Yeah…" Idris smiled awkwardly, kicking a small stone on the ground. "I really wanted you to come with me."
"Me too." She replied with a sad smile, her eyes welling up with tears.
"There's still room in the car, you know?" he tried to joke, but his tone was muffled, almost a plea.
Jade let out a trembling laugh. "I'm so happy for you, really."
Idris watched her for a few seconds in silence. His brown eyes shone, and before she could say anything else, he slowly approached. He took her hands, closing his eyes.
"I couldn't leave without doing this."
And then he kissed her.
For a moment, time seemed to stop. Jade stood still surprised, her heart racing. Then, slowly, she returned the soft kiss, a complicit one with a touch of sadness burning inside. It was a farewell kiss, a silent plea for time to turn back.
When they parted, she could still taste the sweetness of the sundae from his lips.
"Idris… I…" she tried to say but her voice failed her.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, resting his forehead against hers. "I know it's cowardly of me to do this now."
"Yes, very cowardly," she said with a smile and teary eyes. "But… I understand."
Idris took a deep breath.
"I'll come back, Jade. I promise."
"Promise you won't forget me?"
She looked directly into his eyes, and the question sounded more like a plea. Idris swallowed hard, his heart racing.
"I could never."
He pulled her into a tight hug, the kind where you try to memorize each other's scent, touch, and breath.
When they parted, he got into the car. He closed the door slowly, and then he smiled.
"See you later, Jade Marlowe."
She tried to reply, but the car was already moving. The sound of the engine pulling away echoed like a punch to the gut.
She stood there, watching the vehicle disappear around the bend, only then letting the tears fall shamelessly.
The sun was already beginning to set on the horizon when she whispered to herself:
"See you later, Idris Merrick. But don't be long."