It's Just Rae

Chapter One

Diiing, donnng!

I ran down the stairs to meet Cara at the door. She's been my best friend since we got here, and we're riding to school with her today. Our last day at East Raleigh Middle School. Cara's standing at the door jumping up and down in the cold. Addy's hopping down the stairs while trying to shove her foot into a tan UGG boot and yelling about how she can't find her phone in all the brown boxes lining the walls. The moving guys will be here in an hour to get all the stuff we're actually bringing with us. It's been 2 months since Mom and Dad told us about the move, and we board our red-eye flight to London at 5:30 tonight. 

Addy finally finds her phone in the bottom of her already-packed carry-on bag, a big red quilted and patent-leather weekender. My big aqua LeSportSac duffel is stashed in the corner of my room with the 4 boxes of my stuff that's coming along. I open the door and we run out into the cold to meet Cara, who's light blonde hair is gathered in a messy bun on top of her head, held together with red chopsticks that match the bright red peacoat she's wearing over her navy sweater, Miss Me skinny jeans, and shiny bright red heels. She wears them every day because she's only 5' and hates being short. The three of us rush down my driveway and hop in her mom's Subaru. 

When we get to school, Cara, who has Mr. Jameson for homeroom, part ways with Addy and I, who both have Ms. Martens. The two of us walk in, bracing ourselves for the sadness that's sure to come with the last day here in Raleigh.

But, to our great surprise, sorrow does not await us in the messy art room. Instead, we see our entire class standing underneath a huge banner hanging across the ceiling that reads "We'll Miss You, Addy and Rae!" in enormous rainbow letters. Everyone has signed their name on it around the border. How sweet! 

The whole day rushes by, I swear God must have made time run faster today. Because before I know it, the final bell is ringing. I try to pretend like it's a normal day, stopping outside the English room to wait for Jamey to come out. Meanwhile, almost everyone who passes says something like "We'll miss you!" or "Come visit!" or something meaningless like that. You won't miss me, Laia Breezer. You've said a total of, like, 6 words to me over the whole 3 years I've been here.  Stop lying. 

Jamey finally gets out of the room and immediately puts his arm around my shoulder. The sweet gesture is laced with regret, though, because we both agreed it would be better to break up when I move. Which is today. So this is our last day together, as "Raemey," or "Jalyn," as some people call us. We walk out to the parking lot, where my Dad's Explorer sits in the parking lot waiting for Addy and me.

"Bye, Jamey. I love you." I say over his shoulder while we hug goodbye. I can't believe this is the last time I'll see him. He kisses me on the cheek and I reluctantly walk to the car. I climb in the backseat next to Addy, who's already gotten in. I pull my iPod out of my purse and turn it on shuffle. The very first song is "Please Don't Go," by Mike Posner.

How appropriate.