Making tough calls is, well, tough — especially when we’re just starting out in our careers and have to make difficult choices about what job or career path feels right.
Decision-making can be stressful. Some decisions are stressful because they’re just plain hard. These might be choices with very high stakes or extensive consequences, and/or those that deal with unsavory or particularly disagreeable options. For instance, we have a hard time choosing when there are too many options (what should I eat for lunch?), when we’re tired or pressed for time (signing up for a course whose deadline is an hour away), and when we’re dealing with a novel domain that leaves us less-than-certain about our preferences (a relocation choice between two cities you’ve never lived in).
Because we’re all wired differently, we can experience this process in different ways — meaning that what seems like a horribly hard decision for me might be totally straightforward and easy for you.
After Cecile and I talked, each of us started talking.
"We're not going home, we're going with Lance to get to the Zuraijabi kingdom and get the Ivora flower." Raim's statements to Endrix, Jake and Charles were firm and sure. They seem to have made up their minds to stay by my side. But our lives will be dangerous if we continue to stay together until we reach the kingdom of Zuraijabi.
But that time I stood up even though it was difficult and painful, I carefully weighed the possible consequences of my future decision. I chose to be right, I can't afford to sacrifice my friends just to save another being's life.
"NO. You will not come with me, you have to go back to the world and continue studying in the university. I cannot tolerate you because I don't want anything bad to happen to you, and you will feel damned for my fate."
"What nonsense are you talking about? This is stupid Lance, I thought we were friends? Why are you pushing us away? Is our friendship no longer important to you?" Endrix's voice was rising a bit by then.
I was shaken, and I couldn't prepare. A blow quickly landed on my face, and I almost fell from where I was standing.
"STOP IT!" Avena blocked me while Jake's fist was clenched, his eyes burning with anger and annoyance at me.
Avena was ready to protect me from any attack by Jake, fortunately Charles stopped him from his second attack on me. Charles tried to calm Jake down so he wouldn't create more trouble.
I rubbed my cheek and felt a little pain from Jake's strong blow.
"What do you think it's that easy to just throw everything away?" Jake asked me in a high voice.
I feel and understand what Jake wants to tell me but I really have to do it to protect them.
I stood up and faced my friends.
"Do you remember what we fought for as friends? Isn't it when our hearts and minds become one, in the middle of the war we try to live to save, and have to sacrifice to correct and keep the people who need help protected. Yes, we are friends but in times of crisis we have to sacrifice for the people we love. Education is more important, and I want you to finish school, we have been through a lot and that is enough for us to prove our stability and sincerity of our friendship, this time I am the one who has to save you, so just let me continue my journey, Go back to your family because they need you more, you are their strength and you are the reason why they get up every day. Don't worry about me, I'm sure we'll see each other again."
I added.
"It doesn't mean that I'm no longer a true friend because I'm driving you away. I'm your friend until death and I'd rather die and perish than see you suffer and die because you haven't fulfilled your dreams in life ." I said assertively.
Charles put his arm around me. I thought he was going to punch me too but I was wrong.
"You're really stupid Lance. You're being too heroic, you made us cry, and it is better to beat you up. Haha," and because of that we started to become friends.
Somehow the heavy feeling in my chest was relieved. There are actually times when we would rather be happy than sad in serious conversations like this.
"Alright, if that's your decision I'll respect it but we can't allow any of our friends to be left here to protect and support you," Endrix, Jake and Raim turned to Charles.
"Me? Why me? Are you sure?" Charles pointed to himself.
"Yes, of course because you are always the only one who is missing in important moments and scenes, so you should stay here and be with Lance in the kingdom of Zuraijabi." Raim said.
"WAIT….
It's not a good idea they thought, it seems they had the good sense to stay and accompany me, they just don't want to leave me alone, I still feel their care and concern for me but it's no longer good for all of us, I was about to protest when Endrix joined the conversation.
"Don't complain Lance if you don't want to get hurt. Haha,"
I put my hands up, I gave up because I didn't want to argue with them, the four of them were too stubborn.
"Oh, I'm ready. What else can I do? I know you'll help me again, but I only have one request. Go home to the world as soon as possible."
Avena joined the conversation.
"I will help you get back to the world tomorrow, I will create a portal before Lance can leave this kingdom to go to Envianca."
"Wow! You're so bad, as in tomorrow we're going to be evicted from the palace? Alright Lance, just kick us out, and we'll just sing for you at your funeral. Hahaha," Jake asked jokingly.
And we started laughing, we couldn't stop laughing at the situation but in spite of everything I also felt a little sad and nervous because we were going to be separated as friends and I was going to a place where I couldn't be sure of my safety, and I don't know what my fate will be once I encounter supernatural creatures that possess extraordinary powers that can take my life.