Who: Fan Jiang What: A reluctant return to his homeland. Where: The airport. When: July 31st Warnings: None
It was strange how no one seemed to notice that, though he planned to fly out of the country, he had not entered that way. There were no airline tickets between his departure at the beginning of the summer and his departure at its end. He supposed he could have taken the MTN back to China, as well, and saved even the worry of someone realizing this, but that was much too quick an end to a place he had found himself so very attached to.
You will visit, Ax reminded him. Even the cinnamon bun that they had indulged in did not distract Jiang from his sadness over the departure, and his brooding made it impossible for Aximili to enjoy it as he usually did, as well. We will be welcome whenever we are able to make the trip, and school will keep you busy.
When the alien living in one's head worried, that seemed a sign that one was truly being a miserable human being. Jiang sighed and pinched off another piece of the pastry, popping it past his lips and savoring the sweetness and spices on his tongue. 'I do know this. It seems a long time before I will be able to return, though.' It was simply too far a trip, in spite of the conveniences of the MTN, to make just any weekend. Unless there was an emergency, it would have to wait for the next break from school when his family did not require his presence, and who knew when that would be?
Perhaps if he had the sort of friends at home that he had begun making in America, it would not be so hard to let go of his time there. Oh, he had those who he could spend time with. He even had those willing to go along with crazy schemes. Still, the bond he had with Brandon and, to an extent (though he knew the other young man would deny it), Leon was not something that could be replicated by just any friend. There was a difference between spending time with a friend and flying with them, between scheming and planning for the harsh realities that was a world where things worse than Yeerks existed. It had not been all pleasant, not like his easy life back in China, but it had been better in some undefinable way.
It was not so strange, he thought, that he had chosen to linger in the airport. Once his feet left the soil, he would have to let go of the sense that he belonged. It was not something he had felt often, and not something he could imagine feeling once he returned to a life that felt the same every day. But it is not the same, Ax told him again. We have found them, and we will not forget that because of distance. They will not forget, either.
At last, Jiang was able to take the last bite of his cinnamon bun with a smile. It was not a moment too soon, since they called his plane to board as soon as he licked the sticky sugar off his fingers. Once they were clean, he sent a quick text to Brandon and Leon, letting them know that he was on his way back. Then, he bid America a fond farewell, and promised it that he would return as soon as he could.