The next Thursday, Eli accompanied Oliver back to his house, eager to spend some quality time together. As they entered, the familiar warmth of the kitchen enveloped them. Oliver's heart did a little leap when he spotted Noah, who had just come home after closing the café early, a look of fatigue mixed with satisfaction on his face.
"Hey, Noah!" Eli called out, surprise lighting up his eyes. "What are you doing home?"
Oliver felt heat rush to his cheeks, the memory of last Saturday's confession still fresh in his mind. Without thinking, he grabbed Eli's hand and pulled him towards his room, desperate to escape the awkward moment.
Once inside, Oliver sank onto his bed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I need to tell you everything that happened after you left last week," he said, his voice tinged with anxiety. He recounted the entire ordeal—the confession, the heartbreak, and Noah's reaction. "He didn't feel the same way. I thought I was ready, but it hurt more than I expected."
Eli listened intently, nodding in understanding. "Wow, you are really something, Ollie. That took a lot of courage."
Feeling the weight of his emotions, Oliver stood up abruptly and dragged Eli to the balcony, where they could talk without the weight of the world pressing down on them. The evening breeze felt refreshing, but Oliver's heart was heavy. He leaned against the railing, staring out into the distance.
"Eli," he started, his voice trembling, "there's something else. I got my university application results."
Eli looked at him expectantly, and Oliver pulled out his phone, fingers shaking as he opened the notification. "I got accepted," he said, the words barely a whisper.
"OLIVER, THAT'S AMAZING!" Eli exclaimed, his excitement palpable. But then, as he read further, his expression shifted to confusion. "Wait... this university is in Bangkok, Thailand! We live in the US! What do you mean? ARE YOU MOVING TO THAILAND?"
In that moment, Oliver's heart sank, a wave of guilt crashing over him. He turned away from Eli, tears streaming down his face. "I didn't want to leave you, Eli! I feel so guilty. We've been through so much together, and now I'm just… leaving."
Eli stepped closer, concern etched on his face. "Hey, it's okay to feel sad about it. But think about how incredible this opportunity is for you! You can't let guilt hold you back."
Oliver wiped his tears, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. "I know, but it's hard. You've been my best friend through everything, and I can't help but feel like I'm abandoning you."
The two stood in silence for a moment, the gentle breeze calming Oliver's racing heart. Eli placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You're not abandoning me, Ollie. We'll always be friends, no matter where you are. This is your chance to shine!"
As Oliver listened, he felt a shift inside him. The sadness remained, but it began to intertwine with joy. "You really mean that?" he asked, searching Eli's face for sincerity.
"Of course! I'll be cheering you on from here. And think about all the amazing stories you'll have to share when you come back!"
With those words, Oliver's sadness began to dissipate, replaced by a mix of hope and excitement. He turned to Eli, a smile breaking through the tears. "You're right. This is a huge opportunity. I should be happy about it!"
Eli's expression brightened. "That's the spirit! Now, let's celebrate your acceptance! You'll be the coolest guy studying in Thailand!"
Feeling a surge of joy, Oliver threw his arms around Eli in a tight hug, tears of happiness now mixing with the earlier sorrow. "Thank you for always being there for me. I don't know what I'd do without you!"
As they stood on the balcony, the sunset painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Oliver realized that no matter where life took him, he would always carry the memories of their friendship in his heart.