Chapter 156 - Ribbon (2/2)
Dinner was a lighthearted affair with conversation flowing freely between Jae, Al, and Katie but Abby's heart felt like lead. She barely picked at her food knowing what was coming tomorrow.
The goodbye. With no guarantee of there ever being another hello.
Everyone went to bed early that night because of how early Jae and Blaise were heading out in the morning since they wanted to see them off. But Abby had a hard time falling asleep. She tried convincing herself that it didn't matter that he was leaving but wasn't terribly successful.
They set out to go at the crack of dawn. Simba popped out of the flap Blaise's knapsack and scurried away, presumably to hunt. He had been staying in the stable for the most part since coming here because he seemed to really like the horses.
A pang went through her when she realized that Simba would never be able to hide in his bag again. Even if he did come back it would be when the lynx was far too big.
Though she knew it would likely be fruitless, Abby wanted to do something to convince him to come back and see her again. She felt like one of those overdramatic girls in a period drama but couldn't stop herself as Blaise turned to leave.
”Wait!” she hastily untied the pale blue ribbon holding up her ponytail and set her bedhead free. ”Take this with you. Bring it back to me the next time you come.”
He paused for a moment before gracing her with the most dazzling smile she had seen from him yet. ”It would be my honor to see this safely returned to you, Miss Abby.”
Blaise accepted the ribbon gingerly, as if it were a priceless treasure and held it in his fist as he gave her one final salute. As she watched him walk away she didn't know if she would ever see him or the ribbon again.
Katie gave her another one of those annoying knowing smiles as they headed back inside but wisely chose not to say anything other than ”you can use one of my ribbons for now.”
Abby accepted a white ribbon from her sister and retied her ponytail without another word on the matter. The one she gave Blaise had been a gift from Abella and the only way she had to tie up her hair after coming to this world since they didn't have elastic hair ties here.
Resolutely, she tried to put both him and the ribbon out of mind and focus on helping Katie and Al with their duties for the day. She had made her choice and she had to stick with it.