seven [j.m.k]

prologue

Bobbie and Josh's heads simultaneously turned when they heard the first yell. It was Bobbies mom.

"What's happening?" Bobbie asked, her eyes glued on the kitchen.

"I dunno." Josh gulped.

The yelling was inaudible to the two children, all they knew was that their mothers were the only ones in the house with them, and that they were the ones yelling.

"I think it's just my mom." Bobbie said, recognizing the tone of her mothers voice. Bobbie instinctively moved closer towards Josh, and he grabbed her hand.

The Jenga tower in front of them would stay up, only a few pieces missing.

"I have to move! I cant stay here!" Bobbies mom, Holly, yelled the first coherent sentence.

Bobbie gulped and looked at Josh's eyes.

"What?" Josh whispered to the shocked little girl.

"I- I don't know." She stuttered, biting the inside of her cheek. Josh squeezed her hand a little harder.

"Holly, you've been here since we were kids! You cant just force Bobbie to up and leave like that!" Josh's mother said, loud, but far calmer than Holly.

Bobbie took a deep breath, fully realizing she should have told him about the move before their parents were in an argument.

"Josh." She whispered, turning towards him.

"Yeah?" He asked, knowing what she was about to tell him.

Bobbie looked down, tears pooling in her eyes. "We- we have to move. And it's far." She took a deep breath, working on the skills she used to stop herself from crying. "Super far. Across the country far."

"What? You cant! You cant leave! What about, um- I thought you were gonna stay here forever!" The young boys eyes grew glossy.

"My room got packed up already. I was gonna tell you I just-"

Before she could finish her sentence he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her as she rested her head on his small shoulder.

"Maybe you can come live with me, and you don't have to go. Please don't."

"Maybe." Bobbie blinked, a tear hitting his blue shirt.

"Come here Bee!" Holly yelled, and Bobbie ignored it, not wanting to let go of her friend. Holly and Karen both walked out, walking to their children.

"Mom, can Bobbie come live with us?" He quickly asked as his mom urged him to his feet.

"I really wish she could, Josh." She sniffed, wiping her nose.

"Please, leave." Holly snarled, and Bobbie watched as Karen and Josh turned around. "Go to your room, Bobbie."

"Josh!" Bobbie yelled, and Josh ran back. They both broke into sobs when they met each other, each hugging their best friend.

"You can't do this to them Holly." Karen sighed, starting to cry herself.

"I can't stay here, Karen." Holly firmly said, taking a shaky breath.

They pulled away from each other and watched the tears in each other's eyes, getting what they didn't know would be the last glimpse of each other for a long while.

They both cried as Josh left, broken goodbyes streaming out of their mouths. Karen bent down to hug Bobbie, giving her a kiss on the head before turning around and walking out of the door with Josh.

"Go to your room."

"I hate you!" Bobbie screeched, running up the stairs to her room. She slammed the door with all her force, sitting amongst the cardboard boxes, wanting to scream.

Bobbie knew she would be leaving her best friend, but chose not to tell him. She knew it was about her dad, and that they had to leave him. But all the way down south?
She didn't really know much about where they were moving, only that it was hot down there.

Her tears eventually dried, and her mother came in. She said nothing, only leaned against the wall and held Bobbie in her lap.

"I'm so sorry honey."