Let Us Never Say Goodbye by Ai Matsumi (little readers TXT) 📕

You are my soul mate, my sweetheart, you are my dream come true, from now until the end of time I give my heart and soul to you.

Seventeen year old Ai leaned against the brick wall and looked down the alley for Akira. She flipped open her phone and checked the time. Akira was late again. Ai snapped her phone shut and shoved it in her pocket. She glanced up when she heard the clicking of sandals on the sidewalk. A huge grin spread across her face as she saw Akira running down the alley, her blond hair blowing out behind her. Ai swung her backpack over her shoulder and smiled at Akira.
"I'm so sorry I'm late!" said Akira sadly her breathing heavy.
"Don't worry!" said Ai smiling. "What matters is you're here." she said hugging her. Akira smiled and gave her a quick kiss and taking her hand. The two of the walked down the street, smiles on their faces.
"Do you wanna get a milkshake or no?" asked Akira.
"I guess. I just need to be home by four. My parents need to talk to me about something 'important'" said Ai. Akira sighed sadly.
"Don't frown! You look so much better when you smile." said Ai squeezing Akira's hand. Akira laughed her high tinkling laugh and kissed Ai. Ai and Akira walked down the street to the ice cream parlor on 35th Street. They walked through the door and smiled as the bell tinkled merrily as the door swung shut. Alice, the owner smiled at them as the two of them sat down.
"The usual?" asked Alice. Ai nodded and smiled. The ice cream parlor was empty which was usual. It was where Ai and Akira usually had their dates.
"Here you go! One chocolate mocha milkshake for Ai and a Reeses milkshake for Akira." said Alice smiling at the pair. Ai nodded and thanked Alice. Alice was Ai and Akira's best adult friend. She didn't mind if they were mushy in front of her and she could be counted on if you needed a shoulder to cry on.
"What do you think your parents want to talk to you about?" asked Akira, slurping her milkshake.
"I don't know. My dad has been on the phone on and off for a month now and all of the sudden our budget is cut." said Ai, wincing as she got a brain freeze.
"Maybe your mom is having another kid." said Akira shrugging. Ai choked.
"There is no way!" chuckled Ai. Akira smiled and took a huge sip of milkshake. She squealed and shivered as she got a brain freeze.
Ai glanced at the clock. Four fifteen. Ai jumped up.
"Akira, I'm late!" she cried.
"Oh no!" cried Akira. She jumped up and kissed Ai goodbye.
"Bye Akira. Love you!" said Ai. She slung her bag over her shoulder and raced out the door. Thunder crashed and the skies opened up, releasing torrential rain. Ai's school uniform stuck to her and she shivered from the freezing cold rain. She took a left turn into Chinatown, down five blocks, a left turn and down two more blocks and she was at her townhouse. She unlocked the door and jumped inside. She slammed the door and slid down to the floor.
"Ai, is that you?" called Ai's mother, Mizuki.
"Yeah!" yelled Ai.
"Could you please come here? Your father and I want to talk to you." came Mizuki's voice from the living room. Ai sighed and got up, throwing her sandals aside. She dragged herself into the living room and threw herself into an armchair. Her father, Ichirou was sitting beside Mizuki, his face grim, Mizuki's eyes were red and she clutched a hanky in her hand.
"Ai, sweetie, we have to talk to you." said Ichirou.
"What is it Dad?" asked Ai, looking calm on the outside but quaking inside.
"We swore never to tell you this." said Mizuki, bursting into tears, sobs wracking her body.
"Mom, Dad, what's going on?" asked Ai, her hands shaking. Ichirou rubbed Mizuki's shoulders, trying to comfort her.
"Mom, Dad, what is going on?" asked Ai again, her voice shaking.
"Sweetie, we're so sorry..." whispered Ichirou.
"Ai, you were adopted and your birth parents want you back." sobbed Mizuki.

Ai stared blankly at them.
"What?" she whispered.
"You were adopted." said Ichirou sadly.
"What the hell?" screamed Ai. Mizuki cowered away from her as Ai towered over them.
"Ai, we're so, so sorry!" cried Ichirou.
"You adopted me and now my birth parents want me back? Where are they? Where have they been for the last seventeen years?" cried Ai, red hot tears welling up in her eyes.
"Ai, we love you like a daughter but we have to give you to your parents." said Mizuki wiping her eyes.
"Where do they even live?" said Ai, wiping her eyes as tears dripped down her cheeks.
"Toyohashi, Japan..." said Ichirou. Ai held up her hand.
"I did not just hear you say Japan." said Ai.
"I'm afraid you heard right." said Ichirou slowly.
"They can't just up and take me! I have a say in this!" yelled Ai.
"Ai, no. You don't. They're your parents. They're taking you." said Mizuki. Ai jumped up and ran towards the door.
"Ai, where are you going?" cried Mizuki.
"Out!" yelled Ai. She left her shoes and her coat and ran out the door. The rain was pouring down around her but she didn't care. She ran down the street, tears streaming down her cheeks. She felt empty. She was leaving. She was leaving Akira. A gut wrenching sob escaped Ai at that thought. She took a turn and ran to Akira's house. She tossed pebbles at Akira's bedroom window until Akira pushed it open.
"Ai, what are you doing here?" she called smiling. Ai sniffled and wiped her eyes. Akira's smile faded.
"Come on up here." she said.

Akira walked out of the bathroom and into Akira's room, drying her hair and wrapped in a towel. She picked up a brush from the dresser and brushed her brown hair. Akira threw her magazine aside and walked over. She gently took the brush from Ai and sat her down on the bed. She climbed behind her and started to gently brush her hair, working the knots out. Akira handed Ai a glass of hot cocoa which Ai drank gratefully. The two sat in silence as Akira brushed Ai's hair and Ai drank hot cocoa. After Akira finished brushing her hair, she handed Ai a pair of flannel pajamas. Ai dropped the towel and quickly changed. Ai climbed into the bed and lay beside Akira. Akira pushed Ai's hair out of her face.
"What's wrong Ai?" whispered Akira. Ai sniffled and wiped her eyes.
"Akira, I was adopted." sobbed Ai. Akira gasped in horror and wrapped her arms around Ai and held her close.
"Oh Ai..." whispered Akira. "I'm so sorry."
"That's not the worst part." said Ai, drawing in a shaky breath. Ai pulled away from Akira and looked into her eyes.
"My birth parents want me back. They're taking me to Japan." she managed before her voice cracked and she burst into tears.
"Oh baby..." breathed Akira. Akira pulled her in close. Akira curled up and shook as silent sobs shook her body. Akira stroked Ai's hair and patted her back. Tears ran down Akira's cheeks but a sound didn't escape her lips.
"I love you." said Akira.

Akira and Ai woke up slowly. Ai had clung to Akira all night, never letting go of her. Akira sat up and pried Ai off of her. Ai sat up sleepily and rubbed her eyes.
"Morning darling." said Akira kissing her hair.
"Aw crap. Mom and- Mizuki and Ichirou are probably freaking." said Ai.
"Probably? Knowing Mizuki, she's probably crying on the couch and Ichirou is probably calling every single one of your friends except for me because he always forgets and should be calling...now!" said Akira right as the phone rang. Akira jumped up and picked up the phone.
"Hello? Yes. Yes sir. She's been here all night. Yes sir. I'll tell her. You too sir." said Akira. She hung the phone up.
"Was that da- Ichirou?" asked Ai.
"Yeah. He's furious. He wants you home in forty minutes. You're leaving today." Akira said gravely. Tears trickled down Ai's cheeks as she curled up on