Saving Christmas

Chapter 11

I stared at my suitcase as I tossed one of my dresses in it. They say that saying goodbye is difficult. well it is and for me, it was the hardest thing to do right now. Mum told me that I could say goodbye after I had finished packing. I was only halfway done. I just wanted to be over and done with this. As soon as I was done packing I made the short journey to Stephanie's home. I rang the doorbell and patiently waited for someone to answer the door. A middle-aged woman with blonde hair opened the door.

"Hello", she greeted.

"Hi.. Uh.. I came to see Stephanie", I said.

"Steph! You have a visitor!" The woman called out.

I heard the sound of running feet and soon enough, Stephanie appeared at the front door.

"Kim!" Stephanie said excitedly, hugging me.

"You should come inside", the middle-aged woman told me.

I entered in the room and was glad for the warmth in the room. Stephanie was so excited to see me and sent me upstairs to her bedroom. I didn't want to break the news so soon, but I knew I had two more people to say goodbye to. I let Stephanie chatter as she told me about everything in her bedroom.

"Stephanie", I said, knowing I had to break the news to her.

"Wait. I have to show this to you", Stephanie said, opening some drawers.

"Stephanie. I'm leaving", I told her.

"Oh. I'll really miss you, Kim", Stephanie said.

"So will I but we'll stay in touch. Somehow".

"You can have my parents' number".

Stephanie gave me her parents' number and I saved them on my phone. I gave her one more hug and we went downstairs to the sitting room.

"You're leaving so soon? We were just about to have some lunch", the middle-aged woman, whom I guessed was Stephanie's mom said.

"Thank you but I ate before coming here", I said.

"I hope you don't mind me asking but are you Kim?" Stephanie's mom asked me.

"Yes", I answered, wondering where she was going with this.

"Oh! Stephanie has been talking so much about you! You are the one who helped her overcome her shyness, aren't you? Thanks so much! Stephanie's changed so much!" Stephanie's mom rambled.

I was amazed at how much she could say in one breath.

"Oh, thanks but I really didn't do anything. It was..." I started to say but Stephanie's mom cut me off.

"You're so modest! Thanks, anyway!" Stephanie's mom told me.

I left the room and went outside with Stephanie. We said our last goodbyes and I gave her one last hug before heading towards Daphne's house. Tears fell from my eyelids as I walked. I quickly cleaned them with the edge of my winter jacket. I will really miss that girl but I had to pull myself together. I finally arrived at Daphne's house and rang the doorbell. Just a few seconds later, Hannah opened the door. She screamed and ran back inside. A few minutes later, she appeared at the door again.

"Sorry. I was just so excited", Hannah said.

"It's okay. Is Daphne home?" I asked Hannah.

"Yes", Hannah replied and she led me inside.

I felt so warm as soon as I entered the room. Daphne saw me and was also excited to see me and led me up to her room.

"I have news for you!" Daphne said excitedly.