The Smile Always Fades

8. Waking Up On the Wrong Side of the Bed

"Anna, I think we're moving," Cassy said in a hushed tone. Anna had asked her to spend the night, just like she always did on Friday nights, but this confession was not what Anna had anticipated for the night.

"What do you mean? Like moving to a different street?"

"No, Anna." Cassy's face grew long and she cast her head to the ground, creating a somber mood. "We're moving...away. To New York City."

"New York City??!!" Anna shouted. Her hands shot up to her mouth once she remembered that it was one in the morning and her mother was trying to sleep. "Cassy, are you playing with me? This isn't funny," she whispered.

"No, no, I'm serious Anna. We really are leaving. My dad is being transferred from the company. They're sending him to the New York branch."

Anna had always thought that Cassy's dad had the coolest job ever. He was co-owner of Wavy Crisps potato chips. Mr. Stevens and Mr. Richards--Amy from Government class's dad--had been high school buddies and decided to work for Wavy Crisps while they were freshmen at the University of Oregon. They soon bought the whole company and shared it between themselves before they even entered into their senior year of college. Obviously, they were spectacular businessmen and rightly majored in that field. Anna and Cassy always wanted to work at the Wavy Crisps potato chips factory together as their first job, but that dream came crashing down the minute realization and understanding hit Anna.

"But New York City is on the other side of the country, Cassy," Anna exclaimed, stating the obvious. "Why the heck are they transferring your dad? And why on earth did he agree to it? You and Melany are still in school, he's just going to pull you and your sister out?"

"Well, that's sort of the exciting part," Cassy began. Her face instantly brightened with her next sparkling jewel of good news. "I got accepted to Julliard! My dad sent them a video of me playing the piano. They said usually they don't accept new students for senior year, but they would make an exception for me based on the video! Oh, my gosh, Anna, isn't that epic?!"

Anna had a hard time doubting what Cassy had said. She was amazing at the piano. Cassy started taking lessons when she was only six years old and picked it up real quick. Now she could play any sheet of music you stuck in front of her, she even had composed a few original songs of her own. Anna loved watching and listening to Cassy play the piano. Her fingers would glide effortlessly over the glossy black and white keys and the sounds that were produced took you to another world completely. At times, Anna would sing along to a familiar song that Cassy would play--tons of people said that Anna's voice was more beautiful than any other's--but most of the time, Anna just liked to listen to her friend slide her long fingers along the piano keys.

Anna looked at her friend now, "That's great, Cassy." She faked a smile. "I'm so happy for you. It's an opportunity of a lifetime!"

"I know," Cassy rung, with stars in her eyes. "But I'll miss you terribly Anna, and I promise to text you every day! And there's always emailing and IM. We could even write letters." Cassy hugged her friend, but Anna felt numb. She truly was happy for Cassy, but to get along without her would be torture, and Anna didn't think she was ready for it.

Anna now woke up in a bed twice the size of her own, with fluffy pale yellow covers and cozy, feather-filled down pillows. She had no idea where she was. She slowly sat up in this foreign bed and wiped the sleep from her eyes. Her eyes burned and itched and she realized it was from the night before, when she cried her eyes out in Bentley's arms at Bentley's party.

Crap, Anna suddenly began to panic. Am I still in Bentley's house?!

Knock, knock. The door swung open. Anna wasn't sure whether to be relieved or horrified, but at least the panic drained from herself. Sandra was walking towards her with a glass of water and two small white pills.