Unexpected Love

Unexpected Love: Prologue

Prologue

“Hey angel,” My best friend of six years, Cayden McDaniel, waved as I walked through his bedroom door, his smile lighting up his vibrant, green eyes.

“Hi.” Crossing my arms, I tried to give him the most disappointed look I could muster which was hard considering I have never been disappointed in him before. Like ever. He has never let me down…But there is a first for everything right?

“So I have something I need to tell you, but you have to promise not to laugh at me.” 

Well I have something I need to say to you too Mr. I thought to myself.  Now would be the perfect time to ask you why you have been sneaking around and blowing me off. Not to mention lying to me, some best friend you are… “Before you tell me I have something I need to discuss with you.”

Leaning forward he gave me his full attention, “Ok go ahead.”

Sighing I gathered up all the courage I could and began, “These last few weeks you have been sneaking around and lying to me about where you have been. And every time I ask you to hang out with me or go do something, you always blow me off. It’s really starting to irritate me!” My voice rose as I finished.

He glanced away from me and mumbled.

“I’m sorry I didn’t quite catch that.” I hate when he mumbles. He knows he will have to repeat it again, so I don’t see why he can’t just say it clearly the first time.

“I said, I’m not lying to you or sneaking around. What are you my girlfriend? I don’t have to spend every waking minute with you.”

Whoa was that unnecessary, who does he think he is? I had more of a reason to be mad than he did! I would never blow him off, and I was always there for him when he needed me. Except, lately, it seemed as if our perfect friendship had gone down the drain. He is never around for anything anymore.

“Yes you have, Cayden Lee! You have been giving me stupid excuses for days now. Oh, ‘I can’t hang out because my mom needs me to help do chores’, or ‘I can’t go see a movie with you because I have headache’. When have you ever helped your mom do chores since I’ve known you? Never.” I was getting angry. How dare he pretend that nothing is wrong?

“Fine, let me explain.” He sighed and patted the empty spot next to him on the bed.

“No, it’s too late for an explanation I don’t want to hear it.” Stopping my foot like a little child, I spun on my heel and stormed out of his room without looking back.

Hearing footsteps behind me, I walked faster to the front door. At least I can be happy at the fact that at least he is trying to come after me. I don’t know what I would do if he didn’t at least attempt to stop me from leaving.

“Gabriella Jailyn Smith, come back here now and talk to me!” He sounded angry and his voice cracked at the end, as if the sight of me leaving was hurting him.

I contemplated going back and talking to him, I couldn’t stand to hear pain in his voice, pain that I caused, but the angry childish side of me took over and I walked straight out the front door making sure to slam it as hard as I could.

A few weeks had passed and I had not heard a peep out of Cayden. Yes, I know, I could of called him or text him. But I was still just a little irritated with him, though, and my pride stood in the way of breaking down and being the one to say I’m sorry. He hasn’t even called or text me either so I guess that we are both playing the ‘hard to get’ card this time.

Since we haven’t been talking, my summer has dulled drastically. I just sulk around the house and I’m sure it’s driving my parents absolutely crazy. They have already begun asking why my shadow isn’t connected to my hip lately. Cayden and I do everything together and hardly ever spend a moment apart. So I guess I can’t blame them for wondering. This is our first big fight.

Today I realized that I missed him. I missed his crooked smile, his sweet, caring personality, his deep laughter, the way his slightly large nose stood out. Most of all I just missed him. Finally, gathering up the courage, and wanting to be the bigger person I decided to go by his house and apologize. It was my fault just as much as it was his. I shouldn’t have acted like a child and stormed out of there.

I left my house and walked the two blocks to his house. Once I was there, I received the shock of a lifetime; my whole world just came crashing down.

Sitting in the front of his yard, right next to the tire swing his dad built for us, was a for sale sign. The house was empty. All traces of the McDaniel family gone. How could this have happened in a span of a few weeks? Why didn’t he call and tell me they were leaving? I’m supposed to be his best friend, the one he always says he can’t live without. How could he do this? How could he leave…without saying goodbye?

Falling to my knees, I choked out a strangled cry, tears streaming down my face. How could he have just left without another word? He wouldn’t leave me like this, would he? It felt like a cement block was attached to my heart, the way it dropped. Pulling out my phone, I called his cell. It didn’t even ring. It said the number was no longer in service.

I’m so stupid. I should have stayed. I should have listened to him. Why would he just disappear? Where did my best friend go?

Laying on the cool grass, curled up in a ball, the tears still falling, the only thing that ran through my mind was complete loss. How am I ever going to survive without the one person who has lit up my world since he stopped that bully from stealing my ice cream six years ago?

Cayden…I love you. Please come back to me. Don’t leave me like this. You’re my best friend. You can’t leave me here—alone.