The Book of Plot Twists

AnonDuck

Today is the most bittersweet day of the year: the last day of school. Well, for me it is. For everyone else, it's just another Monday in February. Because of my lovely aunt getting a promotion, I now get the pleasure of moving five states up the coast. Joyful.

My friends gather around me just as the last period bell rings. None of them have gym with me. They all give me farewell cards, hugs, and a load of tears. I want to cry, but I don't because Noah Bannerman is right across the hall and he cannot see me be weak. He's only cried in front of me once and I've never cried in front of him.

The teachers usher us all to class and I'm sadly departed from the best friends in the whole wide world. Noah, having 6th period gym as well, walks with me to class.

"You're really moving, aren't you?" He asks.

"Yep. Have you finally developed enough emotion to care?" I reply.

He laughs at what may be my final comeback. The thing about us is that we hate each other. Only, we don't. We cannot stand the presence of the other, but we always somehow end up together. I actually enjoy his company, though I'll never tell him that.

"Nope. When you leave, the only emotion I'll be feeling is the immense joy of your absence," he states.

I just roll my eyes at him as we enter the gymnasium. I know he doesn't mean what he's saying. A friend of mine told me earlier today that last night, she heard him tell their backyard neighbor that he'll miss me. Said friend is Noah's older sister by a sixteen months, so she's always eavesdropping.

It's Monday, which means dodge-ball day. The only day of the week that Noah and I actually join forces for the common good. Yeah, we own this game.

As usual, we completely wreck the other team. After our twelfth consecutive win, he comes over to high five me.

"You know what, I think I will miss you," he admits. Before I get the chance to respond, the bell rings and we are pushed out the door by our fellow classmates.

I lose him in the sea of students. I want to tell him that I'll miss him too, because I will. Ironically, I will miss how much he hates me. In fact, I think I even will miss him in general. Because I think I might like him. I mean, we've only been at each other's throats for two years now. I think it's about time I realized it.

I try to look for him, but he's nowhere to be found. I want to wait around for my friends, but I know that my aunt is across the street with the moving truck all packed and ready to go.

"Sad day?" She questions when I get in the truck.

"The saddest," I tell her.She offers me her condolences and, once again, assures me how great it will be in our new town. But I don't want to go to our new town. I want to stay here, find Noah, and tell him that I like him. Maybe he likes me too.

"Well, I got something to make you feel better," she says as she reaches behind her. I stare at her questioningly.

When her arm returns, it's holding a shaking cardboard box with holes in the top. Excitement rolls through me.

"Open it," she commands. I carefully yank the box away from her hands and tear it open the top.

"Oh my God!" I squeal with delight. A puppy. A brand new baby puppy. Not just any puppy, though. It was a pure-bread gold dust miniature dachshund with blue eyes and fluffy ears. I've only been wanting one since forever

My aunt just smiles at me. "Isn't he beautiful?"

I tell her that he his as I start to tear up. The puppy leaps into my arms and snuggles up to my chest. Then, he lavishes my face with kisses. I hold him close.