Long Way Down [Unedited]

Last day

Dallas

I tap the pen on the desk restlessly, glancing at the watch for the fifth time in last 10 minutes. Today's the day I finally get off school and do some traveling. With middle school graduation coming up, I've gotta plan my trip perfectly and also prepare for my valedictorian speech. It has to be perfect. Today is the last paper of our finals and then we're free birds before high school gets it's hands on us. The kids were all very moody as well as excited this morning. Excited because there's gonna be a long vacation and moody because it's history exam. Not a problem for me. I love history! The ringing of the bell snaps my attention back to reality replacing my thoughtful expression with a wide grin. The teacher stands up from her seat and starts collecting the answer sheets from the students according to their sequence on the attendance sheet. After collecting the papers from 3/4 th students of the class, Mrs. Owens make her way towards my seat.

"I'm guessing you probably aced the exam Ms. Marshal." He mumbles, with a chuckle.

"Always Mrs. Owens!" I grin and hold out my answer sheet towards her. She takes it and arranges it with the other sheets in a neat bundle and returns back to her chair.

"Okay kids! Today was your last exam and your last day in middle school. You guys are now grown ups and you'll start going to high school in not time. I want you all to remember that here on your life will be a little more complicated than before. You might have to take some difficult decisions too and study two times harder. But remember, you are a strong person and you can get through anything with strong determination and hard work. The path towards success is hard but it's worth it." She smiles, tearing up a little as she takes a quick glance at the class. "You can go now! Graduation is in a week so don't forget to be there. Bye!"

As soon as Mrs. Owens concludes her little speech, all the kids jump out of their seats. Some are waving their goodbyes, some are planning about where to dump their textbooks, some about vacation, whilst some discuss about grown up high school parties they'll get to attend in a few weeks. I make my way through the crowd, waving goodbyes and exit the classroom. The hallways are crowded as fuck as all the kids are out in there celebrating which my guess is puberty. Which probably hasn't hit to 90% of the crowd. I smile to myself and start walking towards my locker. I hope Abby is there already waiting for me because I have no time and mood to go look for her in the school. Pushing the thoughts and the overly excited children out of my way, I reach the locker. Inserting the code, I take out all my books, stickers, photos and stationary out of it and dump it in my bag. Suddenly a pair of arms wrap around my shoulder making me squeal.

"Hey D!!!" Abby squeals excitedly. I take a deep breath to calm myself. I'm not really good with surprise hugs. Or tackles in Abigail's case.

"Where were you?!" I ask her, still shoving stuff from locker down my bag pack.

"I was talking with Ashley and her friends and they invited us to the party at their house. As a celebration!" She speaks excitedly. Party? Me? No thanks!

"I'm sorry Abby," I mumble, turning to face her. "I can't come. It's Friday night." I tell her slapping my palms together.

"Oh cmon Dalla!" She whines. "One last party with me! You know I won't be here two weeks later." My heart sinks at her words. Abby is not going to be here for freshman year. She's moving to LA, aka changing schools. I still can't believe she's going. Why can't her father just stick to the firm they had here in Riverside?

"I still donno why you have to go!" I pout. "You know my mom considers you like her daughter right! You can stay here and maybe visit your parents on weekends."

"As much as I love the idea, I'm sorry D! I can't leave dad alone." She mumbles apologetically. Abby's mom died in a car crash when we were 7. We're best friends since then. "But its just one hour drive! We can visit each other on weekends! And as every year, Thanksgiving and Christmas is at your house." She assures me giving my shoulder a light squeeze.