A Dozen Reasons

Chapter 2- Goodbye

I woke up to the smell of french roast coffee and pancakes. Wait...no, banana pancakes! I peeked open my eye and my retina was scorched by the sunlight. Why couldn't I have packed the curtains last?

I yawned and streched. Why did I have to get up when my bed was so comfy? I dragged myself out of bed and walked to my bathroom. After I freshened up, I headed downstairs to find my dad in the kitchen wearing an apron.

 I silently laughed, "Whatcha' cookin' good lookin'?"

He turned around and I bursted out laughing. My dad was practically covered head to toe in flour.

After I calmed down a bit and regained oxygen, I looked to the stove. He was making banana nut pancakes. "Mmm..my favorite" I thought. My mom used to make them for me when I was a kid. She always mixed in extra banana for me.

"What's the special occasion?" I sat down on a stool in front of the counter.

"I thought it'd be best to have a home-cooked meal before we leave." He dusted off the flour on his hands.

"Oh. Well, it smells delicious."

"I'm making your favorite, banana nut pancakes. I even put extra nuts for you!" He beamed.

Wow. Very close. I loved him, but sometimes he would jumble what I liked.

I smiled, " Thanks Dad!" I walked over to him and gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Mijita*, can you prepare the coffee while I finish the rest of the pancake batter?"

"Sure." I grabbed the only two coffee cups that were not packed.

I started to pour the coffee, and mixing the creamer and sugar in when the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!"

I ran to the door. "Kevin, what brings you by this fine morning?" I grinned.

"Well, I'm here to bid my goodbye to my one and only best friend who is being ripped away from me by the greedy claws of superior job offer!"

I punched him in the arm. "Stop being dramatic!" I laughed.

He rubbed his arm."Ow. I'm not being dramatic, I'm being realistic!"

I chuckled and teased,"If that's 'realistic', then I'm Oprah Winfrey!"

He extended his hand, "Nice to meet you Oprah!"

I slapped his hand away and smirked, "Just come in."

"Mija, who is it?"

"It's just Kevin, Dad."

We walked into the kitchen. "Hey Mr. A!"

"Hello Kevin, how are you doing?"

"I'm doing well. I just came by to say goodbye to my best friend who is aband--" I elbowed him in the rib. "ugh, I mean, who is taking such a fine opportunity to venture into the world and discover new people and places." He finished his little speech with a huge grin.

I laughed mentally. How did I get a friend like him?

My dad seemed to enjoy his little speech too. He was chuckling. "Okay. Will you be joining us for breakfast?"

Kevin glanced between my dad and I. " Well, I wouldn't want to intrude."

I gave him a smug look and crossed my arms in front of my chest, "Please, Kevin. You know you never deny food."

"Well, when you put it that way," he sat down at the table "let's eat!"

My dad and I erupted in laughter.

We all sat down and began to eat.

"Yo, Mr. A, you can be like a chef or something!"

"Haha, thank you Kevin." 

I was quiet for a couple minutes.

"So, Mr. A, do you know if you guys will ever come back to visit?" He was moving a piece of pancake around his plate with his fork.

"To be honest, I really don't know." He said wearily.

"Oh, I just thought...never mind." He let out a shaky sigh.

I looked at him. I haven't seen him look this depressed in awhile. Last time he was like this, we were 10, and his pet goldfish, Goldy, died. I was there for the fish burial and everything. Yes, he buried his fish. He thought it was disrespectful to just flush him.

I put my hand on his shoulder, "Hey, don't worry. I'll call you and we can e-mail each other."

"Yeah, I guess so," he stood and pushed his chair back," the bus is about to arrive, I need to go. Bye, Mr. A, have a safe trip."

I walked him to the front door. "Hey, are you going to be okay? I promise I won't find another best friend while I'm there." I gave him a lop-sided grin.

"Yeah, well,...um...here." He handed me an envelope.

"Oh ok. What's this for?"

He looked into my eyes, and I saw something there. Something that I've never seen before. Part of me was slightly unsettled, and the other part a little thrilled.

"Jay, don't open it now. When you leave you can open it." I tilted my head to the side. What does he mean?

"Why can't I open it up now?" I glanced between him and the envelope.

"No. Don't. I mean...um...I want it to be a surprise," he looked serious then switched to normal bubbly self,"don't ruin the surprise Jay!" He grinned.

"Ok. Kev, honestly, sometimes I think you're bipolar or something." I teased.

"Haha make fun of your now lonely best friend," he said playfully.

I laughed.

"I got to go. If not, I'll be walking to school."

"Okay, I'll call as soon as I get there." We hugged, and when I was going to pull away, he held on. "I'm going to miss you too Kevin."

We pulled away. "I'm going to miss you. More than you know."

He left. 

I looked down at the white envelope.

What was this about?

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* Mijita,Mija= A name of affection for a girl. Meaning "Mine".

A/N: Hey guys! I apologize that this chapter is late. I don't have a computer rite now.

Please comment. I would love to know what you think. =)

                                                                  Much <3

                                                                         Sara