time flies

Two years later, it was our last day of elementary school. It felt like the end of an era.

Shin looked up at the sky as we walked. "Damn, time sure flies, huh? Doon, Leana, doesn't it feel like just yesterday we were messing around in second grade?"

"Yeah," I said with a grin. "Next year, we're heading to middle school. Crazy, right?"

Leana nodded. "It's gonna be different. I'll be with my older sister, though."

Shin stopped in his tracks. "Wait, you have an older sister?!"

Leana shrugged like it was no big deal. "Yeah. She's in 7th grade right now."

I squinted at her. "For real? How come we never see her at your place?"

Leana sighed. "My parents are divorced. I live with my dad, and she lives with my mom. That's why."

"Oh," I said, not sure what else to say.

Shin chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, me and Doon don't have older siblings. We're the oldest!"

I grinned. "That's right. Leana's not the oldest like us."

We both started teasing her, poking fun at how she wasn't the "big sibling." Leana's face turned red as she grabbed a bottle of water and splashed us.

"STOP! I don't care!" she yelled, but we were too busy laughing to take her seriously.

As we kept walking, Shin got a little quieter. "Man, it really feels like I just met you guys yesterday."

I smiled. "Yeah. Time sure flies, huh?"

Leana nodded. "But next year, middle school's gonna be a whole new adventure."

We talked about what we were going to do over the break before middle school started.

Leana kicked a pebble as she answered. "I'm going to learn martial arts. My dad's a martial artist, so he said he's going to train me."

Shin and I looked at her in awe. "No way! That's so cool!" Shin said.

Leana smirked. "Yup. Next year, I'll be able to protect you two. You've always been protecting me—now it's my turn."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Sure, Leana. We'll see about that."

Leana raised an eyebrow, then turned to Shin. "What about you, soldier boy? Still dreaming about being in the military?"

Shin scratched his head, looking flustered. "Uh… yeah, I guess I'll study or maybe train to be a soldier."

Leana burst out laughing and gave him a playful pat on the back. "You're funny, Shin. Sure, keep dreaming, general."

Then she turned to me. "What about you, Doon?"

"I want to get stronger and more flexible," I said. "I'll focus on punching, kicking, and flexibility. Maybe I'll even try out for some sports in middle school."

Leana grinned. "See, Shin? You should follow Doon's lead instead of just dreaming about being a soldier."

"Whatever," Shin said with a laugh. "I'll get stronger too. Just wait."

As we walked and talked, the three of us felt like we were stepping into a new chapter of life. The road ahead was unknown, but for now, everything felt right. We were together, laughing, teasing, and dreaming.

It really was the best way to take a step forward.