-Jacquelin-
"Mommy, why do we have to move?" I whine.
"Because, Jac, it's a new start. We can't live in Connecticut forever."
"Uh, yeah we can? It's home. You can't drag me away when i have lived here for 17 years!"
"Jacquelin, you know how much I hate to do that, but we have no choice."
I roll my eyes and finish packing my last bag before setting it in the trunk.
Rain? Perfect. That's just what I need on a day like today. I climb into the car, my little brother trailing behind me. "Wait!" I hear someone shout. I turn around to see Ashley, my best friend.
"Ashley!" I squeal. I jump out of the car and run towards her, colliding into a huge bear hug. "I'm going to miss you so much."
"You have to come visit me, okay?" she chokes. She pulls away out of the hug and I notice her mascara is running. I quickly wipe it away, but more pours down. "Don't cry, I promise I will. And I am moving back right after I graduate. There isn't no way in hell I am staying in that poor excuse of a home."
She laughs at my comment. "But you don't even know what it's like!"
"Trust me, I'm pretty sure it's just one of those overrated home towns, where all the local couples live. And from what I have heard, the school is super small. So at least you won't have to worry about being replaced."
"And I won't replace you," she pauses. "I love you, Jac. Best friends since birth, and this is how it ends." She shakes her head and my mom calls me.
"Just a minute!" I yell, "Listen to me, it's not over. We will always be best friends, alright? There is no way a friendship can just... end this way. Okay, I have to go. I love you, too, Ash."
I give her one last hug, say goodbye, and run to the car. I look back, and see her waving.
I place my hand on the window, looking back as the car starts moving. She waves, covering her mouth with her palm and squeezing her eyes shut. I feel tears pricking in the back of my eyes, soon starting to fall. She turns around, walking away and not looking back. Not even once. That's when I realize how painful it is for her, and I know now I have to come back after I graduate.
*****
"Come on Sam, take Jacquelin's hand. Sam runs up to me, taking his grip on my hand. "Mama, where we goin?'" he asks.
"We are going to live in a better place, now. It has parks and lots of nice people!"
My seven year old brother laughs as he skips along, making my arm jolt and pulling me forward. I skip along with him, letting my bags drag across the hot cement. The plane is supposed to leave in a half hour, and we were supposed it be here ten minutes ago.
*****
"Please turn off all cellular devices and any Internet connections. Thank you, and have a brilliant flight!" the flight attendant speaks through the microphone. She has a medium accent, just clear enough to tell she's British.
"I still don't get why we have to move," I mumble. I glance over to see my mom roll her eyes and shakes her head.
I cradle the pillow I kept out of my bags, burying my face in it and thinking about how trashy Bradford might be. Or do I have it all wrong? Maybe it will be a chappy little town with brilliant people and cheeky smiles everywhere I turn!
Look, I'm already going crazy.
