Teen Beach Movie (Plance)

Chapter 2: We're in a musical????

Lance followed Pidge out onto the deck and walked out to where she was sitting on the railing. "I can't believe you didn't tell me."

"You don't understand how hard I tried! I just...I didn't know how." Pidge sighed.

"You're leaving? Just like that?" Lance said in disbelief. "Why are they making you do this?"

"They're not making me. It's my choice." Pidge frowned.

"Then change your mind!"

"There's not enough time. My flight leaves tomorrow." Pidge said.

"How can you leave? This is your home." Lance said emphatically. "It's where your grandfather is, it's where you surf, it's where I am!"

"I was really lucky to get into this school, Lance." Pidge pleaded with him to understand. "My brother said it will pave my way to my future. I know you're upset, and I should've told you. I just...I didn't know how." She jumped off the railing and began to walk away.

Lance followed her. "Pidge! Hey, stop." He caught up with her on the beach and forced her to look at him. "What was this deal your brother was talking about?"

Pidge sighed. "After we lost my parents, the deal I made with Matt was that I could stay here with my grandfather for the first part of high school. Then, when it was time to get serious, I would leave with him and go to this school. Just like he did."

"So he just shows up to take you away?" Lance asked sadly. "Aren't you happy here?"

Pidge looked at him, then back down at the journal she was holding. "This was my mom's journal." She said shakily. "Most of all, I dream that my daughter becomes a great success. That she isn't just pulled through life... But marches through it...Triumphantly".

Lance smiled softly. "She sounds amazing."

"Yeah." Pidge half smiled. "She wanted to go to college and make something of herself, but then she had Matt, and then me, and time passed..and she never got to live out that dream."

"That's not your fault." Lance said.

"No, I know it's not. But I also know I can do what she never had a chance to do." Pidge said firmly, walking up the steps.

"You don't have to be who your brother is. Pidge, you can be whoever you want to be." Lance stopped her again.

"Lance, I have to do this!" Pidge said again, going for the door.

He grabbed her arm. "What about us?"

"How can there be an us after today?" Pidge said with glassy eyes.

"I'll wait for you." Lance told her seriously.

Pidge shook her head sadly. "I know what it's like to miss somebody, Lance. And I care about you too much to ever put you through that."

"So you're saying you care about me enough to break up with me?" Lance frowned.

"I don't want to, Lance, but what choice do I have?" Pidge asked.

Lance stared at her with a disappointed face for a moment, before turning to lean against a pole.

Pidge leaned her head on his arm and planted a kiss on his back. "Thanks...for the most awesome summer of my life. I wish it wasn't over." She said softly, before going back inside, leaving Lance to sigh and contemplate.

Inside, the special surfboard gleamed, without anyone noticing.

...

The next morning, Pidge was packing up her room. She opened up her trunk to put her mother's journal in it. Then she looked at the picture frame in her hand. It held a picture of Lance carrying her up the beach. She was laughing, and Lance was grinning at the camera.