Anything but This |C.R

1

Back to that place.
That place where everyone was happy.
That place when you had friends.
That place.
"Dad?" I ask cautiously because the recent death of my mother has left us with more than just grieving to deal with.
"Huh?" He replies. Hasn't said a word to me since her death. Two weeks ago. Just grunts or arm gestures.
"Why. Um. Why do we have to leave. Go back to Atlanta.. I do t real-" I try to say
"DONT ASK ME AGAIN! WE ARE LEAVING AND THATS THAT. NOW PUT YOUR STUFF ON THE TRUCK!" He yells and throws another empty bottle of beer at my feet. I watch it shatter and I just look at him with disgust.
"So much for parenting" I mumble and put the last few boxes on the truck.

"Great. This place again." I think as we pull up to our new house in the fabulous city of Atlanta Georgia.
"Unpack your shit. we have to get over to the school and make sure they have all that damn paperwork straightened out." The now hungover ball of sweat and stale beer directed at you.
"Whatever you say sir." I say bringing the couple boxes I have. The house is fully furnished so we left all out 'extras' in Texas. I go into the room of my choice which has a large closet and a small bathroom. The bed was a amazing.
"Sydney. Ass down here now." he grumbles and I trudge into the car.
"Why can't I go to school online. Or a different one from everyone else." I beg in the car.
"Cause that's too much work and meetings. Deal with this. See your old friends." He says lightening up a bit
"Sure. Friends" I say sarcastically under my breath.
We pull up and walk into the office. As my fatherly figure talks to the secretary a boy walks in. His hair is long and dangles over his eyes. He is followed by a staff member who brings him to the chair next to me.
So familiar
He plops himself down as if he hasn't sit in days and slumps in the chair looking over at me.
I stiffen and turn my eyes looking through my hair at him.
His. Eyes. Piercing blue. As cold as ice, but as warm as summer.
"Hey. Sydney. Stop your flirting and come sign this." Dad says as he motions you over.
"Okay miss Sydney you will start tomorrow. The lady says and hands you a couple books and your schedule. "Chandler. You know what to do." She says as you walkout
Jeeeezus.
That was Chandler!
He was so different.
For one. He never. EVER got sent to the office.
He filled out pretty nicely...
I look at my schedule and looks simple. I scan through the books and set them aside. I couldn't believe he didn't recognize me. Yeah we were 7 at the time I left, and puberty has hit us both pretty hard at age 14-15. But still. I thing he would know me. Friends since like birth and he didn't even say hi. After I left he got depressed and stopped texting and calling me. And just after a while I kinda just forgot. I never really made any life long friends in Texas. Let alone very many in Georgia. But I had Chandler. I scattered my clothes across my floor in my room and decided what to wear tomorrow. I chose this
        A nice black tank top with a long black cardigan over it with black leggings and brown and black combat boots. Wow. Black.
I couldn't fall asleep and then I heard the door slam downstairs knowing that my dad had left for probably three days. Ramen noodles are great I guess. I laid in my bed and ended up falling asleep for about 4 hours and waking up at 5 to shower. I get out and put my hair in a messy bun and throw on the mascara cause why not. By that time it is like 7 and I make my way to the bus stop. I stand there and wait for like an eternity which was probably only about 10 minuets. I look back at my school schedule and it says 7:30 bus arrival. Great. I just plop down and go on my phone listening to music waiting for the bus. As soon as I know it a foot comes and taps my leg that was blocking the sidewalk.
"And you are?" I ask looking up and seeing Chandler with all his handsome self. "Oh"
"Hey. You're the girl in the office with the asshole of a dad. Ha! They caught me yesterday. Guess I let my guard down too much." He says sitting down next to you trying to act tough.
"Letting your guard down?" I ask taking my headphones out and turning to him.
"Can't stand science or math. So. I skip." He says with a shrug.
"Oh. I just moved back here from Texas. My name is Sydney." I say with a wave.
"Well howdy dodo Sydney. I'm Chandler de er" he says trying to imitate a Texan accent but failed.
"Oh" is all I could say. Knowing that he doesn't remember.
"Well there's the damn bus to hell." He says scooping up his bag and helping me up.
"You got that right." I mumbled and stepped onto the bus after he did.
After looking for a seat for about 5 minuets I was roughly grabbed by the waist and pulled down
"Now how much of a gentleman would I be if I just let a pretty girl like you wander around on this hell town bus huh?" Chandler said holding me down.
"You know. I had a friend named Chandler while I lived here before." I said crossing my legs on the seat and turning to face him.
"Is that so? Very interesting. I don't really remember my younger years. I fell down the stairs and hit my head wiping out three years!" He says throwing his arms in the air. And with that I just got white.
"Are you alright. I haven't seen someone change that color that fast since I was a baby with my friend... Um... I don't know. Oh well. But yeah. She was on of a kind. I really liked her. Like. She was so beautiful but I can't seem to picture her anymore. I feel like I went to bed one day and then Woke up and she was gone. Never saw or heard from her again. Poof" he puffed.
"Oh" is all I could say.
"Hey! Let me see your schedule." He says tugging on it.
"Oka- WOAH! Wait a second. Holditholditholdit. Did you see did you not just call me a pretty girl." I say almost falling backwards into the isle of the bus but was pulled back by him.
"Indeed I did. Because why not tell you. You are very pretty and you should know." He said patting me on the head "now let's look at the schedule. Hmhmm. Oh. Hmmm hmmm. Mmmmmmhmmmmm. Wow."
"What. What is it.." I say sadly.
"Oh nothing. Just that was have all of out classes together!" He yelled giving you a high five. No boundaries.
"Oh cool!" I say with less excitement. "Hey Chandler. Do you um. Remember. Um. The girl that disappeared." I ask scratching my head.
"Um. I ugh. I don't know. I think it was squdne-- WAIT. SQUIDNEY, aHahahhshaha SYDNEH, WHY DIDNT YOU TELL ME?" Yelled pulling me into a hug but then loosening his grip. "that means you hear all that?" He asked ruffling his hair. "But that doesn't matter. I just need a friend." I say giving him a hug.

Me and Chandler walked together through the crowded hallways earning many stares from people I don't need. Wow. Wait. Wheres Chandlers Friends? I look around making sure I'm not invading anyone's space or replacing people. But no. Not a single person came up to him. It was quite depressing actually. But oh well. I got my friend back. I feel like his stairs thing was a lie. But I'm not one to question it right now.
"Oh my god. It can't be! SYDNEY!" I heard from behind me. Not this. No.
"What do you want Annabeth?" I ask turning around.
"Oh and I see you've found the whore of the school too?" She said pointing to Chandler. I just looked over to him with a confused look
"Well great to see you again. Sydney." She said snotty and walked away.
"The whore of the school?" I asked him. And all he did was look at his shoes
"What do you want from me?" I asked him and walked into the classroom.