The Military Girl

Telling

"You haven't told him?" Jade asked me.

"No. I can't bring myself to do it." I shuffled through my script. Jade and I were watching the basketball team. She was the only one who knew about my dad's orders to move. I made her promise not to tell. I didn't know how to tell Harry without ruining our entire relationship.

"He loves you." Jade said. "He won't give you up."

I sighed, watching Harry run around the court. I knew he loved me, but I had only known that for a week.

"When do you leave?" Jade asked.

"In Jaunary." I replied. "Right after the new year."

"You have to tell him. That's less than three months away!"

"I know. I just can't tell him...I can't explain it to him."

The coach blew the whistle and the players went to the center of the court. Harry was really sweaty but bouncy. He was always super excited after practice. They had a game tomorrow, and I was hoping they would win. I would move after his last game, even if he went into the finals. I was going to miss him playing basketball.

Harry walked up to my seat. "Take a look, babe!" He spread out his arms.

"I'm looking and I'm smelling." I nodded, trying not to seem upset.

"It's not that bad."

I smiled at him. I was just hoping he couldn't read my face. He didn't seem able to. He rushed to the locker room to take a shower. I started packing my bag, getting ready to head home.

"You need to tell him." Jade said.

"Tell him what?" Devon asked me.

"She's moving."

"Jade!" I yelled at her. "You can't just tell people that! It's not ok!"

"You have to tell him. Tonight. Do it."

"You're moving? To where?"

"Fort Lewis. It's in Washington State."

"When?" Devon kept asking questions. I didn't want to answer a single one. They were like knives in my heart.

When Harry was done with his shower, we walked to the bus stop. We boarded the bus and sat in the back. He put his arm around me, as I stared out the window.

"I'll see you tonight, right?" Harry asked me.

"Yep." I answered. "I just have some work to get done." I kissed his cheek.

"What was that for?" He grinned.

"I love you."

He raised his eyebrows, but didn't say anything. We got off the bus and we went into our separate houses. I made a B-Line for my room. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I rushed through my homework, but waited to text Harry. I didn't have a way to tell him.

I practiced in the mirror in my room. I kept repeating "I'm moving" over and over again. It started to sound really strange. The more I said it, the more upset I got. I started getting choked up, and it wasn't even the real thing. I was telling my reflection, not Harry.

As I was in the middle of trying to hold back tears, my mom yelled that Harry was downstairs and on his way up.

I quickly wiped away my tears and used a tissue to wipe off my mascara.

"Hey." I opened my door.

"Hi, love." He kissed my forehead. He grabbed my hand and pulled me farther into the room. "I missed you."