You stood on the landing strip with Valt, your mum, the twins who were awake and wide eyed, and Shu, who had come along to say good bye.

Your dad was busy ensuring the plane was prepped for take off, he had already taken your bag and stowed in in the cockpit where the two of you would be seated.

With tears in your eyes, you hugged your mum tightly.

"Do your best sweet heart, and don't give up." She told you sternly.

"I will mum," you smiled and looked down at Toko and Nika in her arms. "Don't grow up too fast okay? And don't get into too much trouble, I'll need you both to keep Valt in line."

You pressed a quick kiss to their foreheads.

"Blah bah?" Nikka babbled, the nonsensical words coming out like a question.

"Yeah, Beyblade."

You realised then that you'd likely miss their first words.  It came like a knife, but you told yourself you'd likely miss them anyway.

Turning to Valt and Shu, Valt latched onto your neck and pulled you down so you knelt before them.

"I changed my mind," he declared. "I want you to stay!"

"I can't porcupine," you murmured, using your nickname for him. "I already said I'd go."

"Why can't I come too?"

"Maybe when you're older."

"Then I'll get really good so I can come with you!"

"I can't wait." You laughed shakily. You looked at Shu, he had been quiet ever since his parents had dropped him off at your house earlier that morning. "Shu?"

"Please don't go."

"I thought you wanted me to?"

He shook his head furiously and launched into your arms, knocking you off balance. "I want you to stay."

"What changed your mind?" You asked concerned. Your dad was saying his good byes to the rest of your family, so it was just the two of you.

"You won't remember." Shu muttered.

"Remember what?"

"Me."

You held on to the small boy just that little bit tighter, wishing you could take him and Valt with you.

"How could I forget my little man?"

Shu shook silently in your embrace, and you realised he was crying. "Are we still family?"

You pulled back and looked at him seriously. "We will always be family. Ask my mum for my phone number later okay, and call me sometime alright?"

He nodded, but you could see his chin still quivering.

With a sigh, you tugged off one of your gloves and handed it to him. "Take it, it's special and it always helps me win a match."

"Shouldn't you give it to Valt?" Shu questioned, amazement evident in his tone.

You shook your head with a fond smile. "As much as I love the porcupine, he'd lose it. Besides, he has tons of things to remind him of me."

"Are you sure?"

"I want you to have it." You insisted, closing his hands over the red glove. "You can wear it on your dominant hand while Blading when you're a bit bigger, and it'll help so you don't get calloused or blistered from training."

Shu nodded determinedly. "I'll do my best."

You smiled and drew him into another hug.

"I need to get going, promise me you'll be safe?"

"I promise."

You stood and pressed a quick kiss to the top of Valt and Shu's head before embracing your mother for a final time.

"It won't be forever," you soothed as she began to tear up.

"I know, I know, but my little baby girl is growing up so fast."

Giving her a peck on the cheek,you turned to face your father.

"You're sure you want to do this?"

"Positive."

"And you've got everything?"

"Of course I do."

He gave you a proud smile. "That's my girl."

Your dad placed a hand on your shoulder and guided you toward the plane.

With a final wave at your gathered family, you stepped inside and sat down on your seat.

This was it, you were really doing it.

You were going to Spain.

Okay yeah this is short. But then again, so am I, and I like to think I'm alright.😂