It's Been A While

Prologue

 " Hey, can I talk to you for a sec?," I asked Andrew during recess.

"Sure," my best friend replied. We walked away from the rest of the class's kickball tournament, and I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for this stressful conversation. "So, what's up?"

"I'm moving," I blurted out, "It was bound to happen eventually, in fact we were supposed to move last year, and I didn't want to tell you in case you got mad, but my dad's in the military and we have to move. I don't have a choice. Just please don't forget me." At this point I was close to tears but I fought them back.

For a second Andrew just stood there silently then he said, "I could never forget you Eve. And we're going to text and call everyday for the rest of our lives until we see each other again. Okay?" Eve. The nickname he he gave me. No one but Andrew called me that. It gave me hope that one day, we would be reunited.

"Okay. Thank you."

"Of course." He hugged me and I hugged him back extra hard.

"You're my best friend," I whispered.

♪♪♪

        Packing was torture but Andrew came over and surprised me with hot chocolate. He even remembered the crushed candy cane and no marshmallows. We laughed for hours before he had to leave and go back home. I would never forget him. Ever. 

       Later that night, after my parents had put me to bed, I got out my notebook. It was full of song lyrics. Just pieces and parts. But that night, I decided to try and write a full song. I hummed the tune to myself. I loved it.

But when you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think my favorite song
The one we danced to all night long
The moon like a spotlight on the lake
When you think happiness
I hope you think that little black dress
Think of my head on your chest
And my old faded blue jeans
When you think Tim McGraw
I hope you think of me

      I put my journal back underneath my mattress and climbed under my covers. That song would be recorded one day. I would make sure of it. I could play the piano and guitar. I would have this song put out in the world. Even if Andrew never got thanked for being the inspiration for it.

♪♪♪

5 Years Later:

   I hadn't heard from Andrew in three years. He stopped texting me back. He stopped calling. He even stopped sending the annual birthday letter. The last one especially stung because that was our thing. We shared a birthday and instead of calling or texting we would send a card early and it couldn't be opened until our birthday when we were on facetime. Now, it was my 13th birthday and there was still no letter, still no text, no vibrating phone signaling that he was calling. I sighed. For the past two years I'd been trying to make peace with the fact that Andrew had probably forgotten about me, but I couldn't do it. So, instead of throwing a pity party for myself, I decided to focus on what I was doing today. I got to record some of the songs that I'd written. 

"Evelyn! Get your ass down here or we're going to be late!" Aurelia called. 

"Aurelia! Language!" my mom shouted. My sister was starting to curse, and it was . . . it was something.

 "Coming!" I called. Today was going to be great. Birthday letter or not.

♪♪♪

"And I'm back for the first time since thenI'm standin' on your streetAnd there's a letter left on your doorstepAnd the first thing that you'll readIs when you think Tim McGrawI hope you think my favorite songSomeday you'll turn your radio onI hope it takes you back to that place
When you think happinessI hope you think that little black dressThink of my head on your chestAnd my old faded blue jeansWhen you think Tim McGrawI hope you think of meOh, think of me, hmm
He said the way my blue eyes shinedPut those Georgia stars to shame that nightI said, "That's a lie"

      I took a breath when I finished. I couldn't believe it! I'd actually recorded a song! I'd recorded an entire album actually! If Andrew heard any of these songs, I know he'd recognize my voice. And maybe, just maybe he would finally stop ignoring me. I clung to this hope for the next 5 years. And that night, when I blew out the thirteen candles on my cake, I wished to be able to see Andrew again.

     Hey y'all! How are you doing? It means so much that you are reading this. So, everything after Eve whispers that Andrew is her best friend is made up except for the thing about them texting and calling and the thing about the birthday letter. And almost everything after this is probably going to be made up. I still haven't heard from Andrew in actual life, and I have no idea how he's doing. I'll try to update soon! If you have any suggestions to add to the book, please leave them in the comments! I hope to hear from you soon angels!

                                       - Eve 💕

* The song Tim McGraw belongs to Taylor Swift