Elata gave Roberto a great big hug.
"Hey, come back soon, okay?" she insisted.
"I'll be back for school again," he assured her.
"Good."
Roberto was flying back to Canada for the holidays, now that school was over for the year. He was excited about going home again, if a little apprehensive.
Henry held out his hand.
"Have a good trip," he said.
"I'll try," Roberto replied.
An annoucer called his flight.
"Guess I have to go now. See you in a few weeks."
"See ya," Henry said.
"Elata? This mean you have to let go now."
"Oh, but... but... but..."
Henry helped Roberto pry Elata away. Roberto gave one last wave, lifted his carry bag and left their sight.
"There, there," Henry said. "He'll come back."
Elata sniffed.
"He let me follow him around all year and adore his mutantness," she considered. "And even let me drag him around to places I wanted to go. He's the best friend I ever had."
Henry patted her on the head.
"Well, y'know, now you and I can get to know each other better. And then you'll have two really good friends."
Elata beamed and hugged Henry.
"Yay!"