Back to You: A TFLC Short

Lysette and Eugene's Flat

London, England

United Kingdom

March 2013

“It’s getting a little wild over here,” Aether admitted. Lysette watched as the other tied her hair up in a bun, taking a sip from her coffee cup right after. “You have no idea, Lys. I’m balancing college work and then training for headquarters. At this point, it doesn’t feel like I have much of a weekend anymore—what more time for myself and time to do things for me.”

“Ask for a break?” Lysette prompted. Aether just sighed and shook her head. “What, can’t they grant you a break even for the summer? They’ve got to let you rest somehow.”

“They do, but…” Aether trailed off. “It’s…the training is really mandatory. I can’t miss it unless within reason, and I don’t want to make them think that I’m not willing to push myself to the limits for this kind of opportunity.”

“You’re already pushing yourself.” Lysette frowned at the screen, pointing a finger at Aether through Skype. “I can see the bruises, Aether—you’ve got a lot of them. Seriously, how much are they pushing you during your training? How much is that Tadashi guy working you? Didn’t you say that you had to go for what, two or three hours a few times a week?” From her screen, Lysette watched as Aether counted the days on her fingers.

“Well…I usually go have training with him when I don’t have too many classes. That’s my Monday and Wednesday, and then I keep training during the weekend,” she explained. “It was hard to adjust to at first, but—I guess I’ve survived so far? I mean, the worst I’ve gotten are horrible bruises.” Aether gave Lysette a smile from where she was—all the way in the United States—as if to reassure the other that she was doing okay. “It’s fine, Lys. Really. I’m just worried about losing time and all of that.”

“We can stop, you know—you’ve got training.” She threw a glance at the time. Currently, it was nearly nine in the morning; she gaped and turned back to Aether who was giving a sheepish smile. “What the fuck, it’s three in the morning over there. Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“Had to catch up with a paper or two.” Aether rubbed her eyes and barely stifled a yawn, “Are you sure you don’t mind? We haven’t talked this long for a while,” the other started, but Lysette scowled and gave her best friend a stern look.

“We can video call when it isn’t hell week for you. Come on, look at yourself…you look like you really do need the rest.” Aether nodded sleepily and Lysette watched as she excused herself to put the coffee mug in the sink; upon coming back did Aether have her hair down and looked more like she was ready to sleep more than anything else. “Get some sleep, okay? I mean it.”

“Mm. I will.” She flashed the redhead a sleepy smile, “Morning, Lys.”

“Night, Aether.” The call disconnected and Lysette sighed, removing her earphones from her ears and settling them on the table. She had no idea why Aether wanted to keep the call going if she had that kind of schedule; the thought made her frown.

Both of them missed each other; that bit was obvious, at least. It had been nearly three years since the two had last seen each other. Aether had flown to America in order to pursue her studies there as well as a future job at this place called headquarters, while Lysette decided to take up college in London while frequently going back to the orphanage every other weekend. Due to the hectic schedules they had as well as other activities on the side, it was hard for them to video call each other like they managed during freshman year; more so get on a plane and fly to where the other was.

She knew that Aether missed England; that bit was obvious. Whenever Lysette would talk about her visits back to the orphanage as a volunteer, she’d see the longing in Aether’s eyes and constantly hear her say “I wish I could go back”. But as much as Lysette urged her to come back for at least a few days, things and activities would always get in the way. Aether’s training would interfere, Lysette would have workshops to attend and leadership trainings to take part in (due to her being part of the college publication), Aether would stay and practice piano as much as she could (since she was part of a music organization)—so much that plans and wishes just remained plans and wishes.

It frustrated both of them; while Lysette constantly voiced that she wished Aether’s schedule would clear up already, Aether would only remain silent. She knew, though, that the other was just as frustrated as she was and desperately wanted to come back even though it would just be for a small amount of days.

Eventually it came to a point that during one of their video call conversations, Lysette had just sighed and asked: “Can’t you come see me?”

“You know I want to,” Aether insisted, “but I can’t, my schedule—it won’t let me, Lys. I’m sorry,” the other apologized quietly. “Booking the ticket and paying for it isn’t the problem, it’s…it’s just time. That’s the big thing.” Lysette said nothing and Aether bit her lip, fiddling with her fingers as she avoided the other’s eyes. “Please believe me when I say that I want to come. I miss home so much.”

“Aether, if you really did miss home then you know you’d make a way somehow. You know that. Don’t tell me anything else.” Lysette couldn’t help it; she had to say the words. As much as they stung, they were unfortunately true.

Aether knew that very well, but couldn’t say anything. She could never form the right words when she was emotional—Lysette didn’t have to be there with her in the same apartment to know that there was a rush of emotions going past her mind. Eventually, Lysette gave her a tired smile of her own. It was late. If they tried talking about it more, then it wouldn’t quite end well. She eventually bade Aether goodbye and ended the call, unable to stop the sour feeling in her stomach.

She couldn’t blame Aether, not really. The girl was busy—somehow the orphanage led her somewhere else, somewhere she wasn’t expecting; and while she chose to stay in that new place, she had to face the consequences of it as well.

(Unfortunately, that just had to include not finding the time to come back.)

They graduated eventually; Lysette moving on immediately after to META with Eugene, and Aether ready to step into headquarters and tread more dangerous waters than she was expecting. Both of them worked and talked less; though on the occasions they found time to video call like they did in the past, it seemed like there was nothing different—like nothing really changed.

Around April to May four years later, Lysette immediately raised her hand and volunteered to embark to the United States when one of the higher editors asked. “Cross, are you sure about this?”

“Definitely.” Lysette put her hand down and looked the editor in the eye, “I’m ready for this. I want to go.”

“Alright then, Cross…alright. You know where in particular you’re going?”

She could barely hold back a grin. “Atlanta, Georgia. The main branch of Headquarters.”

I’m coming for you this time, Aether. Just you wait.