The carriage rocked gently as it rumbled across the stone path, sunlight dancing through the cracked wooden slats of the window. Birds chirped in the distance. Horses neighed ahead.
Inside, two boys sat sprawled on opposite benches, wearing expressions that ranged from "I've accepted my fate" to "I still can't believe this is happening."
Mario leaned his head back. "Do you think when we come back, there'll be a banquet?"
Andrew yawned, stretching lazily. "Doubt it. But if there is, I'm calling dibs on all the desserts."
Mario smirked. "Yeah, and while we're busy with our pudding, we'll find Caroline and Emma… dancing with two tall, dark strangers."
Andrew burst out laughing. "Haha! Or worse
"Worse?"
"Already mothers."
The two boys stared at each other in silence for a moment before both erupted in laughter, nearly toppling over in the cramped space.
Mario wiped a tear. "Dude… imagine returning just in time for their kids' birthday."
Andrew coughed through his laughter. "As long as I'm not the father, I'm okay."
"Can't promise anything about the kid's jawline though," Mario winked.
Andrew narrowed his eyes. "…You saying I have a nice jawline?"
Mario grinned. "I'm saying if the kid looks smug and sarcastic, I'll know who to blame."
Andrew chuckled. "Fair enough."
A long silence followed, the kind that felt both comfortable and heavy. The joking faded. The laughter dimmed.
Mario leaned his forehead against the wooden side of the carriage. "You know… part of me didn't want to leave."
Andrew raised a brow.
"Emma…" Mario continued, staring at the horizon. "I think she was just starting to like me back. And now I'm going away because you said skipping exams for 'field experience' was totally valid."
Andrew looked sheepish. "Okay. First of all—field experience is valid. Second, I didn't know they'd exile us for it."
Mario sighed. "Yeah. I know. Still…"
He kicked the wooden floor gently.
"She made this face. Like… like she didn't want me to go."
Andrew leaned forward, his voice quieter. "We'll be back."
"You sure?"
"Nope," Andrew grinned. "But I'm going to make it sound like I am. Confidence is 90% of being a strategist, right?"
Mario gave a tired smile. "And the other 10%?"
"Lying with style."
They shared a chuckle.
Outside, the road winded along a cliff, ocean sparkling below. The world was wide, and their future uncertain.
But at least—for now—they had each other.
And bad jokes.