Nothing lasts forever?

Luciano sits behind the wheel and soon, he drives us away. Lydia silently sits beside him. But her hazel eyes spark as she's longing to explore this new city. Yet, Luciano hasn't started the car.

"What's wrong?"

She asked.

Hearing her question, he sights once again.

"Your sit bell."

He replies as he reaches out to her and helps her put it on. Having him so close, she can smell his shampoo. Unlike his shyly looking, he smelled like mint. Fresh and so new. She never knew he could be this quite handsome. Guess time can change people.

Luciano in her memory is a timid boy, all shy and never dare to talk to any girl beside her.

"I'm so proud of you! You've grown into a gentleman!"

His face twists a little bit when he hears her comment. 

"Even though I know it's your compliment, I'm not sure if I can be happy with that. I've always been a gentleman, you know!"

He started the car as he was complaining. 

"And if you think I have changed that much, wait until you meet Ray!"

Her eyes lift up a little bit. Unlike Luciano, he always returns home at least once a year during his holidays. But Raylan… The last time she saw him was months ago after 5 years apart. And they barely talked. He got caught up in his job and she hasn't seen him since then.

Lydia guesses Luciano is right. Raylan will also change a lot compared to the last time she saw him. But guess that's how things go. Time flys and it won't wait for anybody. 

The store is only 10 minutes drive away. Lydia steps down the car as soon as Luciano stops it at the parking spot. Stretching her arms a little bit, she glanced around. The neighborhood seems quite peaceful. 

"What are you waiting for? Let's go!"

She was startled a bit but soon, she regained her emotions. 

"I just thought how beautiful this neighborhood turned out to be. No wonder Ray hardly comes home!"

Luciano shrugs as she comments. His deep blue eyes give her a 'I don't know' look. Slowly, he replies in his husky voice.

"I'm not so sure about that! This neighborhood is peaceful but I don't think that's the main reason he doesn't return…"

Luciano starches his head like he still has something more to say. She patiently waited for him to open up to her. But in the end, not a word comes out of his mouth.

Her eyebrows lift up a little bit as she's curious about whatever he's trying to hide. Luciano may be a good liar in front of his parents but in front of her and Ray… he's never good at hiding anything.

"So, what are you gonna cook for us tonight?"

He crosses his arm around his chest as he's trying to change the subject as she lets out a deep sigh.

Fine, she will wait until he finally opens up and tells her what is in his mind. After all, she still has plenty of time to do so.

"Don't know yet! Any reference?"

She asks as she pulls out the cart.

"Not really… we usually order take out!"

Lydia sighs once again when she hears his reply. Boys… they're always like that, aren't they? Thought so, she threw him a sharp glance. If Mrs. Lancaster knew about this, Lydia pretty sure she wouldn't mind going back and forth between two cities just to make sure they have proper meals. 

"Hey! Don't glance like that missy! We sometimes do have eggs and bacon, you know!"

"Right…! No wonder you won't let Mrs. Lancaster pay you guy a visit!"

She shrugs as she walks straight into the store. Without any hesitation, she picked some tomatoes, potatoes and broccoli. Then she turn to find some chicken and meat.

"Hey… can you at least wait for me?"

Luciano ran after her, trying to ask. She knew she walked a little bit fast and did not wait for him. But for him to catch up and not even get wet, she's quite surprised. The Luciano she remembered wasn't this athletic. 

"But you still caught up with me in the end, didn't you? So there is no point slowing down. Am I right?"

She said as she put milk and egg into the cart.

"You…!"

Luciano sighs at her reply. And just like that, he gives up. He can't beat her in this conversation. 

"You know… Even though you two haven't met for quite some time. Strangely, you grow up just like him!"

Luciano said as Lydia strolled around, looking for some dairy. But his words make her stop. She stood there, frozing.

It's not so hard to tell 'him' in Luciano's comment is who. Of course he is talking about Ray. She, Ray… Similar? That never came across her mind. At least until now…

Back when Lydia was younger, Ray has always been her idol since then. He's smart, always on top of his class. He's kind. He's knowledgeable. He's gentle. He acts like a real gentleman. His hands are always warm. Lots of girls go after him back in the days but he rejected them all.

If Luciano said that she's growing up just like him… That wouldn't be too bad… is it?

"Thanks for your compliment!"

She giggles as her eyes lock at Luciano's.

"That wasn't a compliment!"

Luciano playfully smirks a little bit.

"What I mean is… you are growing up as mean as he is!"

She pauses for one second again.

Ray? Raylan? Raylan Lancaster is mean?

That's new to her…

Because whatever anyone says, she never believes Raylan can be mean. After all the time she knew him, he never ever was mean. To her. At least. 

"If mean makes a fine gentleman like him, it shall make me a fine lady too!"

She replies to Luciano with her sassy voice. Luciano has changed. The shy, timid Luciano has changed. How on Earth can a shy boy turn into someone like this?

She doesn't hate the present Luciano. But she do miss the little Luciano used to play with her without talking back.

She sighs a little bit.

Then a question pops up in her head. If Luciano has changed this much… Will Ray change too?

Luciano said that if she's surprised by his changing then wait until she meets Ray.

That pretty much the same with Raylan Lancaster also changes.

All of her two childhood friends have changed. But I still remain the same. Does it make our relationship any different?

She clings to the cart stronger. 

What if someday they change till the point that we no longer can be friends?

When that idea comes across her mind, she quivers.

She knows nothing lasts forever. But… without them… will she still be herself that she knows or also growing up becoming someone new?

And that question keeps spinning around her mind.