Before you go...

Excitement and anxiousness. Those were the two emotions that had become all too familiar in Liberty's life the past few days - all thanks to Stella's actions - her sister's life had been changed, just overnight. It's been four days since she accepted the college offer, which meant she had to be on campus as soon as humanly possible because classes had already begun. Her heart had been pounding with anticipation but at the same time, with dread, for the first time in their lives, the sisters would be living apart. Although temporarily, the idea of being far away from each other made them even closer during these final days. With a piece of big luggage already packed and on the floor lies the second one, the sisters were just taking a break and snuggled up against each other in front of the small TV, enjoying a bowl of chicken noodles.

Even during the break, Liberty's mind was racing, she could already taste the salty air of Port Stork City, the windiest city in the Province of Vaal, the windiest and the most vibrant. Unlike her small town up in the mountains of Silia, Port Stork was boasting with the latest tech, fashion and urban culture, but the thing that was the core of the city was the clear blue ocean. It has been said that if you listen carefully, you can even hear the sirens sing, but all of that was not at the top of her mind, what she was excited about was college, at last, she would be able to earn enough money to buy back some of their parents' items.

She kept going through the checklist in her head, 'Did I get all the books I will need? Did I buy the right clothes?...'

Stella with a look of concern for her sister, gently shook her to get her attention,"Hey, your noodles are getting soggy. I swear I can almost hear the gears whining in your head..", she carefully rested her head on her shoulder, "You will be fine sis...I promise".

Liberty chuckled amused, her sister had been overly affectionate these past few days, "You know Stella...I see you. You think I don't see what's happening? You haven't hung out with Jenny ever since I began packing...and you have insisted on helping me with the chores, something I had to force you to do before? Are you sure YOU will be okay...?", she put an emphasis on the 'you', making Stella flinch nervously.

She suddenly clenched the bowl in her hand. She's never been one to cry over small things, that was more of her sister, but what was suddenly happening? She thought for sure she would be fine, but for some reason, her heart sank at the thought of being away from her so much so that she almost asked her not to go anymore, and she knew her sister would give in without hesitation, that's how much she doted on her. Her tears began to well up, was she really going to be okay without her?

"Oh Stella...", Liberty took both the bowls from their hands and pulled her into her embrace, "....listen, we will see each other during recess, major holidays...we can cross travel. You and Jenny can come down there on some weekends, especially if you need to get away. I know how much you always wanted to visit Port Stork. Apart from that, I am always a phone call away..."

Stella chuckled in her teary moment, "You call that a phone?", she pointed at her sister's old button phone, "...sis, your phone belongs in a museum with the dinosaurs - it's ancient. I don't even think they make phones like that anymore."

Liberty jokingly pushed her out of her arms, "Hey!...but you can reach me, can't you? That's all that matters.", she pulled her back, "Besides, I will get a phone as soon as I get the allowance, so I can buy that video camera one and get to see your face every day. Also, speaking of Jenny and going out, she tells me you have a date on Saturday and I must stop locking you up. Exactly what kind of person does she think I am?"

Stella suddenly sat up straight with a flushed face, "Oh my word, Jenny said it was a date??", she giggled, "It is not a date okay...I am just meeting an old friend, but later though. I have to see you out first..."

Liberty could see from her face that it was more than just a date, but she did not pry, her sister would tell her when she was ready, so she accepted the change in subject, "You mean out the door or -"

With a look of determination, "I mean take a bus with you to the central station - see you out of this modest town!"

Liberty was amazed. Stella has never been one for public transport. She loathed everything about it - and called it 'the depressing mode of transport', so a part of her expected her to change her mind. 

The following day, Liberty woke up to find her favourite traditional savoury maize-flour soft porridge on the table, it was accompanied by a cute note from Stella, "Breakfast is served! I finished packing the rest of the stuff, but I think we need an extra medium bag, I am just off to the mall, I will come back soon." Liberty blushed in content, her sister was really grown up.

Stella returned in a flash just as promised, but she came in a familiar car thus sustaining Liberty's doubts about the public transport part however mistaken about her little sister's intention - she was genuinely determined to see her out of town. But forget her sister's intentions, what was Mr. Milo doing in their humble home?

Liberty squinted her eyes in shock and subtly pointed her head to Mr Milo, "Stella, another secret? Or "surprise" as you would put it..."

She scurried close to her and whispered, "No. I swear I ran into him at the mall.", Mr. Milo suddenly cleared his throat prompting the girls to stop whispering,

"I can hear you. You guys are not as quiet as you think and she is right, I happened to bump into her.", he sadly lowered his head, "I am sorry for how things unravelled Liberty. I know you must have been in shock. As much as I loved seeing you at the supermarket, you just didn't belong there, that's why I didn't hesitate to help your sister in her mission. I hope you can forgiv-"

He was cut short by Liberty's hug, "Thank you for everything Mr. Milo", and he smiled graciously at her kindness. He saw a younger him in her, and the similarities of their story are what drove him to help her, without a doubt in his mind, Liberty was born for greatness, so much so that he captured the attention of his favourite nephew.