After all this time...

Chapter 1: LEAVING ME

When you hear that your best friend is moving away you don't really know how to think. Especially when you are in love with the said best friend. Currently laying in my backyard not talking to each other. Just looking at the bright sky. Spending as much time together before the unavoidable heartbreak.

"New York huh, big city" I break our silence. "A lot different from here Matt." We turn our heads and I am met with his gorgeous green eyes. I close my eyes and the tears start to fall. That I have been holding back for so long. "Elle please don't cry," he says sadly when he wipes my tears away.

"Why now? Couldn't they wait until we finish our last year? It's only one more. Why does he have to take you away? What am I supposed to do without you, Matt? You're all I have." He sighs and sits up.

"Money Elle, that's the plain hard truth. That is all he cares about. The status, the glory, and making the "Rodriguez's" name look good. You are going to be fine without me Elle." He said knowing he was just spewing lies. Neither of them were going to be fine.

He was just trying to force the heartbreak. It is the most terrible feeling ever. Heartbreak. Knowing that it was never going to work anyway. Forcing himself to think that way. Hoping that would make it hurt even if it was just a little bit less. Even though he was just lying to himself.

"You wanna know what else is the plain hard truth, we probably are never gonna see each other again. Let's just end it here and now!"

"Why? We still have a week Matt. I have more time! We have more time" I practically begged him. He shook his head standing up.

"We will visit each other right? You aren't gonna leave me! We have more time don't we?" I said trying to be strong even though my teary eyes said it all. "No Elizabeth no more time it's all over. Dad and I are leaving early." I gasped. He only ever calls me that when he is mad at me. My tears then fell harder as I realized what this meant for us. "Why didn't you tell me!—I yelled at him— Matt how could you?"

"Cause Elle this is how our story ends. Way too fucking soon."

"No, it can't Matt, I-I"

All he wanted to hear were those three simple words. He would drop everything just for her. Forget about his family and just run away with her. That's how much he loved her. But was too scared to admit it. Both to himself and Elizabeth. The thing is Elizabeth is no different.

"What?" He asked her. "Don't you dare lie to me?"

"You're my best friend Matthew." That was a lie she told and could tell very well. But no one believed her, not even herself anymore. He scoffed at her and walked away.

She fell down onto her knees. Her older brother, Colin, came to her side. Watching the heartbreak happen in front of his eyes. Trying to comfort her. 

When all he did was walk away from her. Leaving her broken and alone, not knowing that this was the biggest mistake he would ever make in his life.

Being lonely and being alone isn't the same thing. She just happens to be both at this very moment. But she was only after he walked away from her.

~~~~

2 months later

It was currently Saturday, I was laying in my bed staring at a photo of us. He blocked my number. He just cut me off like I meant nothing to him. I am nothing without him. Nothing to him. School starts on Monday. 12th grade is supposed to be the best year ever. Finally graduating. Becoming a senior. But it's not the same anymore.

Sure I have my other friends, but no one is him. It is weird with him gone. I'm too scared to say his name. I will probably break down again. It was bad the first few weeks. I wouldn't leave my room. Too scared to face the world without him.

But it was summer. I had to. My parents forced me to. Tired of seeing me broken and sad. I can't hide anymore. I will be better. I do not need him. I can't need him.

The question that remains is, what if I still do?