The Adolescence Of Addiline

Chapter 6: Gone

The wind hits my hair with great force as I run through the sunny rain. I look over at Lila who does the same but she pants hard, the wind doesn't hit her the same that's because she doesn't have anything for it to hit. She was bald, but I didn't care, the medication seemed to be working.

We stop at the old willow tree in the back of town, which was our special spot. This was where we came to sit and think after a long day.

I am so grateful to have her in my life and I'm glad that she has been the turning point in it. Maybe running away all these years has finally been worth it. I hope I don't regret it.

"Addiline" she says as she hops up on the thick branch "What?" I say as I climb up to reach her. "Have you ever thought about your life after this life?" I look at her confused and a little shocked "What do you mean by that? I thought that once we died that was it?" she smiles and kicks her feet together "Well yes and no. I mean I want to be a free spirit and go places, even though I can't touch anything or things like that, but at least I can still be there...., you know?" she says confidently. I give her a look, like a what-just-came-out-of-your-mouth look.

She has said similar things for a few months, or whenever she was told she was sick.

"Yeah, I get you" I say. We hold hands as the breeze hits us with its gentleness. The clouds move as the sky pushes them with all its might, and we sit there and we just letting it soak in.
*

The bus comes around the corner like it always does at 7:45 and I'm always there to wait for it. I get on the bus, I look to our spot, seat number 11, but she isn't there. I started to freak out but I just told myself that her mom dropped her off or she walked. Hopefully I will find her at school.

The bus drive felt long without her but this has happened before. I get off and run to the playground slide but she isn't there. I look behind the trees. Nothing.

The bell rings and I head in for class. I walk to the cubbies, and there's nothing. I know she isn't coming because I know she would never be late for math, she loves it too much.
*

I run off the bus and down to Meadow street to get to her house, I knock several times but she doesn't answer. I run down the dirt path to get to the old willow tree. Nothing.

I walk back home and as I open the door, I see Mrs. Kera put the phone down, she looked worried and sad.
"What's wrong?" I ask her, she looks at me with big eyes and motions me to take a seat. "Um, this is going to be hard to say but........." I look at her with concern "But what?" " She's gone" all at once I start to loose breath and tears stream out of my eyes like a flash flood. "No, your lying!!!" I scream "She was just fine yesterday" I can't control anything right now, I just feel so empty, and all at once it feels like my life's purpose just slipped away.

"It spread and it was too much for her to handle. I'm sorry" she tries to grab my hand but I run up to my room and slam the door closed. I run towards my desk and cry. I feel so angry. Why her? Why anyone? Why me?.

I open the second shelve in the desk and pull out my diary. The tears get all over the paper but I just wrote right threw it.

February 26th 1964,
Dear Diary,
My emotions at this point cannot be put into words. I am one state of mind to the next, I am just a phase to the world. Just when I thought my life was perfect and I finally had no worries like I did when I was with my birth parents. My best friend has died from a sickness. They didn't know what, but how could they? I have decided that there is nothing left here for me and that I am going to continue my long journey and find them. My tears can no longer hide and linger away in the shadows. I have finally figured out this feeling, how it works and how is affects you....Its a little thing called love. I believe it was all shattered on her. Which is probably why I have none left, not even for myself.

I slam the diary shut and throw it in a backpack that I had pulled out earlier for myself. I threw in all the clothes I had and some of the shoes, socks, and underwear. I poured 5 humongous bags of dog food with me because I wouldn't leave Abner behind.

I look at the clock on the wall it reads 7:30 pm. I will head out at dawn and take on the same journey I have since I was 7. I didn't want to leave without telling the only person besides Lila that I loved, that I was leaving.

Dear Mrs. Kera,
You have been more than kind to me and I feel terrible that I have to do this. You have showed me no ill will and I have loved you more than anything else. I am sorry but I must leave. I will come and visit when I am older and I will truly miss you.
Love,
Addiline

I left it next to my bag. I walk down the hall and there I see Mrs. Kera in her night robes. "Addiline, I didn't think u would be up this late"she says with a smile..., like always. "Well I don't want to be alone right now, and since he is on a business trip I thought that I could sleep with you. You know like how daughters and mothers do" she looks at me with a glowing reflection "Did you just call me...." I stop her "I love you,......mom".

We get comfortable in her bed, and she plays our favorite movie Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs. As I close my eyes I can only think about what I'll miss. I definitely don't want to let this go, not even for a second.
*

I wake up to the crack of light coming through the shades. I quietly slip out of the satin bed sheets and I walk across the hall to my room.

Abner sits there, his tail up in the air...like always. I grab my bag, his leash and the note. I tape it to the door and give her a gentle hug and kiss, being careful not to wake her. I slip through the doors of the house and began what might be the rest of my future.