Finally, the exams were all completed.
After a long time of being busy with studying, Sylvian could finally relax without thinking about upcoming textbooks.
Only one thing occupied his mind at that point.
What was he going to do during summertime?
He had thought that his holidays could be spent in Japan, visiting his grandparents.
It has been quite a time since he had seen them, so spending a week with them would be a good idea.
At that moment, his phone gave a vibration.
Julia: Hey, did you find out?
Sylvian: Find out what?
Julia: Quinly was suspended.
Sylvian stared at his screen for a moment.
Quinly.
Finally, everything that happened between them had been settled.
He released a sigh.
At least a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.
Also, there is one more person that he decided to forget about.
Elliot.
His friend from kindergarten.
Although their quarrel was still somewhere far back in his mind, Sylvian had gotten to be tired of it as well.
Maybe, it's for the best to forget it altogether.
To be sure nothing had ever occurred in the first place.
At the moment, he needs peace of mind.
That evening, Sylvian's mom and dad were busy preparing things for their trip. His dad had his laptop opened on the table, while Sylvian was talking to his grandparents over video call. His grandma smiled widely after seeing him.
"Wow! You've grown so much!"
Sylvian found this very amusing.
"Grandma, you say that every time!"
"Well, this is true!"
His grandpa chuckled beside his grandma and asked if Sylvian knew that his summer holidays had already started.
"Yes," he said.
His grandma suddenly got very excited.
"Then why don't you come visit us for a week?!"
Sylvian blinked in confusion.
"For a week?"
"Yes! You can spend some time with us and we can show you the beautiful places around!"
Sylvian turned his head toward his parents.
His mom smiled at him.
"If you want to see your grandparents, we have no objections," she said.
And a small smile appeared on Sylvian's face.
"Okay."
His grandmother practically lit up.
"Wonderful! We'll be waiting for you!"
A few days later, Sylvian began his journey to Japan.
Before his flight, he received a message again from Julia.
Julia: YO.
Sylvian: What?
Julia: Send dumps.
Sylvian made a confused face.
"Dumps?"
Julia: PHOTO DUMPS: Food, places, your grandparents, shopping, etc.
Sylvian: Why?
Julia: I want to see Japan with your camera.
Sylvian chuckled.
Sylvian: Okay.
Julia: YASSS. Have fun!!
Sylvian put his phone down.
He did not realize that Akiel was sitting next to Julia and others.
Akiel noticed his name on the phone.
He then read the message.
Japan?
Akiel straightened up a little.
"He is headed to Japan?"
Julia looked up.
"Yes. His grandparents live there."
Akiel frowned.
"He never mentioned anything about this."
Julia raised her eyebrow.
"And why would he?"
Akiel become quiet.
This was a good question.
They were not friends.
Neither were they enemies.
They were simply…
What they were.
Akiel turned away.
"That's stupid."
Julia and smiled knowingly.
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing."
A couple of days later, Akiel was outside Sylvian's home.
He had in his possession a small bag of Japanese chocolates and snacks that he bought earlier.
He gazed at the closed entry gate.
"…Are you kidding me?"
There was no one in.
Akiel checked the bag and then the house.
He felt foolish.
He assumed Sylvian would be back by now.
He could have guessed after a few days of absence.
Akiel waited for a moment before letting out a long breath.
"…What I am even doing?"
In a little while, Julia opened the door to her house.
"Where are you, Akiel?"
He held the bag out to her.
"Here."
Julia gave him a curious look.
"What's that?"
"It's food."
"For me?"
"Yes."
Julia took the bag from him instantly.
"Oh my God."
Akiel blinked at her.
"What's inside?" she asked, taking the bag from him.
"YOU BOUGHT ME CHOCOLATES?"
Akiel shrugged.
"I had no idea what else to do with them."
Julia held the bag close to her.
"You are my favorite person today."
Akiel rolled his eyes but Julia just smiled.
As for Japan, Sylvian was living it up there.
Those days were spent in the company of Sylvian's grandparents where he recalled going shopping, tasting the delicacies available.
In their eyes, he was just their grandchild.
And he felt good about it since he never felt an ounce of doubt regarding his adoption.
Being adopted did not make their love for him any less real.
If anything, the moments he had during his stay made him realize how lucky he was to have chosen family members.
During an afternoon spent shopping, he stood in front of the shop counter gazing at the rack of the available bracelets.
One caught his attention.
Taking that bracelet into his hands, he said:"This is the one."
He got the image of Julia in his mind.
Then, he came across a necklace to go along with the bracelet.
He was excited about having found something to give his yet another friend.
At last, he managed to find one more bracelet meant for him.
Three bracelets.
Three persons.
A tiny reminder of home.
Sylvian felt really happy as he carefully put them in his shopping bag.
After a long time he felt peace.
He didn't know that someone had already visited his empty house in Los Angeles and even brought some snacks.
And what is more, he definitely did not know that Akiel had been thinking about when he would return..