hideaway [h.s]

3 |departure|

It's Friday. My last day of school at Callone High School. It's my last day in Colorado. I decided to go out with a bang. I'm wearing a black crop top, some jean shorts, and some black roshes. I crimped my hair and wore a little more makeup than I usually do. I grabbed my bookbag and slung it over my shoulder and grabbed the gift bag sitting on my vanity. I made a goodbye gift for Jerry, Margaret and Sam. I'm gonna miss them a lot. Jason follows me out to the car and we get in and crank it up. "Our last day." I sigh. "Yeah, it sucks." He replied.

I thought about Minnesota and how I'm gonna be there today or possibly tomorrow. My room is divided into boxes and a truck is pulling in the house right now. Mother and Father are staying home from work today to pack everything up while we're at school.

I pull into the lot and find a space. I notice Jerry, Margaret and Sam are all leaned against Jerry's car in the parking lot. They haven't gone inside yet. I lock my car and head over towards them and I see tears welling up in Margaret's eyes. "Awe honey don't cry yet! I just got here!" I laughed and wrapped my arms around her. She hugged me back tightly and sniffled. They walked me inside and it seems like everyone in the whole school knows I'm moving. I keep hearing "Goodbye Rosemary!" And stuff like that every corner I turn. These people never bothered to speak to me during the past 2 years of high school. But now they wanna say goodbye? Hilarious.

We walk to literature and on the board written neatly in chalk is "We'll Miss You Rosemary!" My hands cover my mouth and I blush slightly. "Thank You Mr. Heath." I laugh and pull him in for a hug. I'm famous today. We sit in our usual seats and I try not to think about that this is the last time I sit here. "I come bearing gifts." I smile and grab the gift bag. I pull out their gifts and hand them to them and watch them open their presents. In Jerry's I put a picture of us eating ice cream at Frosty Cones, our favorite ice cream parlor, a blue rock bracelet, my golden star necklace and a letter. In Margaret's, I put a picture of us hugging at my 15th birthday party, a blue rock bracelet, my favorite scarf and a letter. In Sam's, I put a picture of us at dabbing at a party she dragged me to, a blue rock bracelet, my eyebrow phone case and a letter. They each held up the bracelet, noticing they all had one that was the same and I held up my wrist showing the identical one I was wearing. "Never ever take it off." I instructed. Margaret smiled and wiped away a few stray tears and put the bracelet on. "I wanted you guys to have something from me and to remember me." I explained. They thanked me and hugged me before pulling bags out of their bookbags. I took Jerry's first. I pulled out the first thing which was a teddy bear. Then I grabbed a box that was full of Polaroids of all of us. He also put in there a letter, my favorite candy, and a watch that pops open and inside was a picture of all of us. "Thank you Jerry, this is so sweet." I say and hug him. I feel tears pressing to fall but I told myself I wouldn't cry so early in the day.

Margaret eagerly handed me hers and I began to see what was inside. A mug with a picture of all of us on it, a letter, her golden M necklace, and a braided anklet with a moon charm on it. I thank her and hugged her too.

And finally, Sam handed me her bag. I pulled out book that had a picture of us two from every time we've ever spent the night with each other, a forever and always bracelet, a letter, some makeup, and finally, her bandana that she always wears. She told me it was her favorite thing she owns. At this point I have a river of tears flowing down my face.

"Awee.. You guys.." I start crying and they all engulf me in a hug. They're such good friends. I didn't realize how terribly I would miss them until now. My life is about to completely change but I'm glad I have these memories of them.

"Okay class, for the remainder of the period we will mingle! We all should say our goodbyes to Miss Calderone." He smiles. "Which reminds me.. Rosemary!" He called me. "They have accepted the proposal for your yearbook. They will have everyone you want to sign it, sign when we get them in and they will mail it to your address in Minnesota." He smiles. "Thank you so much!" I laughed. "You may go clean out your locker if you have not done so."

I gathered my bags and walked to my locker with my friends trailing behind. I turned my combination and popped the door open and took a look at it. "Take my picture." I said pulling out my phone. Jerry stood back and snapped a picture of me smiling at my locker. I take my books out and place them into my bookbag and grab all my other trinkets I've let collect in there. I take down my mirror, pen holder, and calendar and shove them into my bag too. Finally, I pull the pictures of me and my friends down and put them in an envelope so they don't get messed up. One last look and I kiss my fingertips and touch the locker door before shutting it and locking it.

When I arrive back in class the students all pull me over for a picture. We get a random student in the hallway to take a picture of me and my literature class. I'm thankful that they show me so much love on my last day.

The bell rings and everyone rushes out but I stay behind and walk up to Mr. Heath. "Thank you for being such a great teacher Mr. Heath. You've inspired me and I won't forget you in Minnesota." I smile and hug him. "I feel honored Rosemary. You're one of the greatest students I've ever had." He smiles and I wave goodbye and catch up with my friends outside. We walk to history and each class is similar. People saying goodbye and taking pictures with me to remember me.

During lunch, we go outside onto the football field and take tons of pictures. Jerry and Margaret tell me I better get those printed out and send them a copy and I promise them I will.

My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. But I'm not all smiles as the last bell rings and school is over. Everyone gets on their cars and follows me to my house. I park and take a deep breath before getting outside and walking inside with my friends. Everything is packed up and loaded into the moving truck. The house is empty and barren and not lived in. I walk to my room and walk inside for the last time. I look around and remember all the sleepovers, truth or dares, nights staying up doing Mr. Heath's assignments. Tears begin to form as I say goodbye to my room I grew up in. I close the door behind me and face my friends who are crying. Even Sam is crying. We walk out of the house and Jason is in the car with my parents and I realize they are waiting on me. This is it.

I turn around and a pang of sorrow hits me and I begin sobbing. I hug Jerry and say goodbye. Margaret holds her arms open and I squeeze her and tell her goodbye. And I look to Sam who looks completely heartbroken. I embrace her and squeeze her. "I love you Sam." I cry. "I love you too." She says back. "Don't you forget to tell me about everything." She whispers and I nod. I take another look at all of them.

"You guys can't replace me now." I laugh and they sniffle. "Never in a million years." They assure me. "I love you guys." "We love you too." They say in unison. We hug one last time, "Don't forget about me! Keep my legacy going." I laugh. "Forever and Always."

"Forever and Always." They repeat back to me. I turn around and climb in my jeep and start the car. They stand beside each other and wave goodbye. I pull out of the driveway and before I drive off I look to them and wave back.

"Goodbye." I mouth and drive off. Tears cloud my vision and I wipe them away so I can drive. My parents are driving in their car with Jason in front of me. At least all I have to do is follow them.

I think about my life I'm leaving behind and the new life I'm walking into. I'm gonna have to start all over again. My parents and Jason don't seem to be bothered by the move. But, they didn't have a very close group of friends like I did. Jason only had some guys friends. No life long bonds. Jerry, Margaret and Sam are like my family. I can't imagine how my life is gonna be without them.

I reach over to the bags in the passenger seat and pull out the bag of Sour Patch Kids that were in the bag Jerry gave me. I ripped the bag open and placed hand back on the steering wheel before removing it again to pop a green Sour Patch Kid into my mouth.

I grab my phone and plug in the AUX cord and play some music to keep my mind off sadness. I have a long drive.

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hi! thank you so much for reading my story! stay beautiful!