Found

Goodbye Kendall

Michael walked slowly down the long pavement path that lead to the arts center of the campus. The sun was high and it bathed the path in its radiance. The grounds were covered with people, this was one of the largest campuses in the country. People of every kind flocked here, nerds, jocks, hipsters, preps, every kind of person there was. Michael made his way around the medical science building and walked up and large flight of stairs. It was a very quiet day and as he made his way to class he enjoyed the beauty and serenity of the day. Suddenly he heard a loud voice come from behind him. "What's up fuck tard?" He kept walking forward, a small smile appearing on his lips. "Hi Kendall." He said with a sigh. A medium height girl with long brown hair and pale skin ran up beside of him. "Good morning Michael. How are you?" She asked with an energetic voice. "Good, on my way to music technology, you?" Michael said maintaining a steady pace. "I'm going to see my art teacher...." Kendall said trailing off. She raised her eyebrows up and down at Michael, implying something. Michael shook his head. "You know if you two get caught he can get fired right?" Michael asked looking at Kendall skeptically. "Yeah, but he won't because no will find out, I mean, it's all legal, I am 19. Plus I can't stop, he's incredible, in more ways than one if ya know what I mean." Kendall said nudging Michael's arm. Michael rolled his eyes and walked on. "You know sometimes I think that you might be a sex addict." Michael said smiling at Kendall. "I don't know, maybe I am. You know, that would actually explain a lot." Kendall said laughing, adjusting the strap of her satchel. "Well, this my building so I'll see you later, maybe we can get lunch. I'm meeting Mandy at Subway, wanna come?" Michael asked. "Yeah, that sounds awesome." Kendall replied. "Ok well, tell Dimes I said hi, and don't you kids have to much fun now." Michael said winking at Kendall. "I will and I'm going make him scream "oh" from the rooftops." Kendall said raising her arms into the air and throwing her head back dramatically. Michael rolled his eyes and walked into class.
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Michael walked down the sun soaked pavement, making his way to the Subway on campus. He walked through the glass doors and surveyed the building. It was small and the smell of meat and peppers filled the air, making one's eyes water. In the corner, sitting in a booth next to a large open window, was Mandy. Michael made his way over to her and sat on the opposite side of the booth. "Hey baby, how's your day going?" He asked taking Mandy's hand in his own. Mandy looked out the giant window ignoring Michael. A few tears made their way down her rosy cheeks and dropped to the table. Michael noticed her crying and became concerned. "Mandy, baby, what's wrong? Are you ok?" He asked now grabbing both of her hands and holding them gently in his. Mandy finally turned to face Michael, the tears beginning to slow then eventually stop completely. She spoke in a firm, assertive voice, "Michael. You know that I have feelings for you, but lately, I don't know, you've been at school a lot, and I've been at school a lot, and volunteering at the hospital. We just, don't see each other as often, you know?" Michael looked at her blankly, studying her face. "What do mean? We see each other plenty enough, baby." Mandy looked back out the window and bit her lip, trying find the right words. "Look Michael, I'm just going to be blunt, and tell you the truth, you deserve that." She paused for moment to study Michael's expression and to prepare herself for what she was about to say. She took a deep breath. "I........I've been seeing.....someone......else." She managed to stutter out. She had her head down as she said this and now she lifted her eyes from the table to look at Michael. His face was pure white, tears forming in his blue eyes. His mouth was agape with shock, he was speechless. Mandy couldn't bare to look at him, she cast her eyes back down to table as tears began to manifest themselves in her icy blue eyes as well. After what seemed like an eternity of silence, spotted here and there with the sounds of silent sobbing, Michael managed to speak. "W-w-what's his n-name?" He asked looking out the large glass window, focusing on the cars driving down the road, trying to distract himself from what was happening. Mandy kept her gaze to the table. "Luke. Luke Hemmings. He's a drummer in a band. I met him at one of your gigs when we went to that festival. Remember?" Michael remembered alright, he remembered all too well. The Young Rockers Music festival in New York, he had loved that summer. He had finally convinced Mandy to take off school and go with him. He remembered Luke too. He remembered how touchy-feely he had been with Mandy and how he flirted with her every time they met. He hadn't worried about it too much then, he trusted Mandy. How his trust had been misplaced. He stared solemnly out the window, looking past the cars and pedestrians, looking far out into the distance, looking inside of himself. Mandy finally plucked up enough courage to look at Michael. "I don't know what it is about him, but he just makes me feel wanted. I'm so sorry Michael. I've...already packed my things, I'm moving in with him. I want you to know that you will always hold a special place in my heart. I love you." She said holding his hand. She rose from the booth and walked out of the restaurant. Michael rose robotically to his feet and walked out to his car. There with his head on the steering wheel he broke down. He sat in his car for hours, crying, thinking. Then suddenly the radio blared. It was a special news update. Michael turned the volume up, trying to find anything to take his mind off Mandy. A sharp female voice fought its way through the static. "Today we have received news of a car accident on highway East 9." She stated. Michael listened intently. "Today at around 3:20 a car was hit by an 18 wheeler leaving 2 dead and 3 injured. Of the people killed there was Ryan Addley, a 57 year old truck driver and father of 3, and Kendall Claybury, a 19 year old college student. These deaths are tragic and I am sure they will both be missed." The voice continued to give details of the accident, but Michael had stopped listening. Somehow, Michael's heart managed to be broken twice that day. Not only had the love of his life left him for someone else, but his best friend had been killed. His life was slowly unraveling. Michael managed to hear the last of the update. "Their funeral services will be held at the Dayton-Myers funeral home." Michael sat there in his car for the rest of the day. He couldn't find the strength to turn the key and drive home. Finally at around 10:30 he managed to make his way to his apartment, which seemed to be so empty now that Mandy was gone. He trudged into the bedroom and slung himself onto the bed. And there he fell into a fitful, nightmare filled sleep.