Chapter Text
On the day Joe was flying out to Hawaii, they left for the airport hours before the plane was leaving.
"I know we are not studying the airport's architecture," Joe said. "So, why are we going five hours before the plane is leaving?"
"You will see soon enough," Bas replied. "Did I give you a list of stamps I hope you can find for me in Hawaii?"
"Yep," Joe replied. "It is on my laptop."
When they got to the airport, before Joe could do or say anything, Bas dragged him through the airport.
"Bas," Joe said. "Slow down."
"I will once we get there," Bas replied. Come on."
Bas did not slow down before he reached the food corner. Joe watched Bas turn around as if he were searching for something.
"Okay," Joe said. "What are you searching for?"
"You will see soon enough," Bas replied. "Or now."
Bas turned Joe around, and he could not believe his eyes when he saw Nicky. And seconds later, Joe and Nicky hugged.
"Hi," Bas said. "What about me?"
Nicky hugged Bas.
"Thanks, mate," Bas said. "Should we sit down and eat something? We got three hours."
"Sounds like a plan," Nicky replied. "Are you coming, Joe?"
"Uhm, yes," Joe replied. "Sure."
Joe followed his friends.
"Is it just me who is having a deja vu?" Joe asked. "Because this is not the first time you two have done this."
"And so?" Nicky asked. "We like doing it because it is fun. Right, Bas?"
"I agree," Bas replied. "While I order cheeseburgers, you can talk."
Bas left Joe and Nicky alone.
"I am so happy to see you again, Nicky," Joe said. "How did you do it? I mean, getting here today."
"I talked with my parents and asked them if it was okay that I took a trip to Rotterdam so that I could say goodbye to you. And they said yes," Nicky replied. "Which I am so happy about, because it means I could give you this."
Nicky found a gift in his backpack.
"Thanks," Joe said. "Sorry that I did not bring anything for you."
"Do not think more about it," Nicky replied. "Seeing you in person is a gift in itself."
Joe opened his gift and laughed.
"A Stitch plushie," Joe said. "I love it."
"I just thought that since you were going to Hawaii, you should have your own Stitch," Nicky replied. "I hope you won't land in trouble with the security for bringing an alien."
Joe laughed.
"I will miss your humour, Nicky," Joe said. "And every time I look at this Stitch, I will think of you."
Nicky smiled and looked at Bas, who sat down with the colas.
"If you are planning on feeding that blue creature," Bas said. "I would like you to know I am not sharing my cheeseburger with it."
"You do not need to worry," Nicky replied. "I fed it before I left home."
They all laughed. While eating cheeseburgers, they talked and laughed, and they all appreciated having one last chance to be together before parting for three years.
"I promise you this, I will check in on Nicky for you once in a while, Joe," Bas said. "He will be in safe hands."
"I know, and thanks," Joe replied. "Take care of yourself. And have fun in Nice."
Bas hugged Joe.
"Nicky," Joe said. "If you need anything, while I am gone, call Bas."
"I promise," Nicky replied. "And promise me to have fun in Hawaii."
"I will do my best," Joe replied. "It was good to see you again in person."
"I can only agree," Nicky replied. "And remember what you promised me. That when we see each other in three years, you will tell me all about your adventures."
Joe hugged Nicky. After hugging his friends one last time, Joe walked over to his parents, and they walked through the gate.
"Nicky?" Bas asked. "When is your plane leaving?"
"In three hours," Nicky replied. "If you need to go home, then go. I will do fine."
"If I left you alone right now, I would not keep the promise I gave Joe," Bas replied. "So, you are stuck on me until you leave."
"Thanks," Nicky replied. "How will you get home?"
"My dad will pick me up," Bas replied. "And is that Joe?"
Seconds later, Joe hugged his friends again.
"I saw a chance of hugging you guys one last time," Joe said. "And I took it."
"Silly goose," Bas replied. "But I am glad you did it."
"So am I," Nicky added. "We will miss your hugs, Joe."
"And I will miss your hugs," Joe replied. "And so much more."
Joe hugged his friends until the very last moment. Bas and Nicky watched the plane with Joe and his family depart before they found a place that sold coffee.
"I heard about your plans for next year, Nicky," Bas said. "If you get bored with that, you are welcome to join me in Nice."
"I appreciate your offer, truly," Nicky replied. "But just like you and Joe, I need to stand on my own feet when I find them."
"I respect that," Bas replied. "But promise me, if there is anything, you will call me, and I will be there for you."
Nicky smiled. Joe had warned Nicky that Bas might act more like a big brother than a friend, now that Joe was gone.
"I will remember that," Nicky replied. "Just a moment."
Nicky looked at his phone and turned it around, so Bas could see the photo Joe had sent. Joe was making funny faces.
"I will miss those funny faces," Bas said. "They always make me smile."
"I understand why," Nicky replied. "How did you two meet?"
"Believe it or not, but back in kindergarten, I found it hard to speak with anyone but my dad. It had to do with my mom leaving without a word. I have not seen her since I was four. Anyway, one day, Joe noticed me, and he tried so hard to become friends with me, but I refused until the day when he made a funny face. It made me laugh for the first time in over a year," Bas said. "Since that day, we have been friends."
Bas drank the rest of his coffee.
"And I will always be grateful that Joe found me my second friend," Bas said. "Have you noticed this coffee tastes awful?"
"Yes, I have," Nicky replied. "I promise when you get to Rome the next time, I will buy you a decent cup of coffee."
"I will keep you to that promise," Bas replied. "I do not know when we will see each other again, because I will leave for Nice in two weeks. But I hope it will happen before Christmas."
"Sounds good," Nicky replied. "I'd better get to the gate, or else the plane will leave without me."
Bas followed Nicky to the gate.
"It was good to see you again, Nicky," Bas said. "Take care, mate."
Nicky and Bas hugged each other.
"Likewise," Nicky said. "Oh, and Bas. Try staying out of trouble, okay? I have not forgotten what happened the last time you visited me."
"Do you not have a plane to catch?" Bas asked. "Of you go."
Nicky and Bas hugged each other one last time before Nicky left.