Dear Richie

Moving Away

"We belong together," he says to her, grasping her hands in his. "No matter what happens, we will find our way back to each other."

Leia's eyes fill with tears, her heart shrivelling up. Her limbs shake.

"Not this time."

♡◇♡◇♡

Leia packed the last of her things.

It's only one school year. She kept telling herself. I'll have a better chance at scholarships and attending the college of my choice.

Sure, that's what it was all about. The school. The opportunity. The chance.

A fresh start.

Was it really worth it though? Leaving her family so that she- and only she- could have the opportunity of a lifetime.

Auntie Judy said she'd take Liam up next year, when he is a senior. She hadn't done the same for her older brother Lucas because she lived in the same town at the time.

At least he still got into the junior college of his choice. He has texted her and emailed her at times, but Leia was feeling kind of distant from him.

This way, she'll only be, maybe, three hours away from him. Still quite a drive, but that's what you do for family: take risks.

With her bed made neat, her drawers organized and cleaned out, and her closet almost empty, Leia couldn't help but feel as if a piece of her was... full.

Full of inspiration. Full of hope. Full of vigor and determination. Full of excitement. Full of new beginnings.

Despite all of these opportunities, Leia couldn't help but feel like another part of her felt lost.

All she has ever known is to be bullied: to dodge the trips, kicks, and punches, to have to watch her back around every corner, to eat in the bathroom where it was safe.

What was she going to do now? Will those people in New York treat her the same way? Or will it be better?

Will it really be better?

She was leaving everyone and everything. Sure, Chris, Conner and Tasha were moving on with their lives: going to college and becoming who they want to be; however, there still was Zayn. He was a year younger than her, and she was basically ditching him in the dirt with no one to take her place.

Leia bowed her head and stared blankly into her crammed suit case. There was no turning back now; this is what she needed to do.

A soft knocking came at her door. "About ready, sugar plum?"

Leia gives a breathy laugh, shaking her head.

"You know, you don't have to go." Leia's mother walked into the bedroom and sat on the corner of her uncovered mattress. "Auntie Judy is being very generous, but if you don't feel comfortable with-"

"It's not that, Mom." Leia was pulled into her mother's arms. "I feel like this is an amazing opportunity. I've never really liked anything about my school and now I have the the chance to start over somewhere new."

"Then what's the problem?" Her mother asks sincerely, stroking a hand through Leia's blonde hair.

"I... I'm not sure," Leia admits. "I guess I'm just so used to small and confined. Will I really be able to make it through the huge, bustling city?"

"You can do anything you put your mind to," her mother replies, kissing the top of her head. "Trust yourself, Leia. If you think this is for you, then go. If not, no one would be angry with you."

"I know, Mom." Leia cracks a slight smile. "Thanks."

"Glad to help."

♡◇♡◇♡

Leia began helping Auntie Judy and her cousins pack the car, with Liam, Lily and her parents by her side.

"Don't ruin my car while I'm gone," Leia teased Liam. "I may be leaving it behind, but I still care about it."

"Psh," Liam retaliated, "and that's why it has a dent on the side of it."

Leia ran a hand through his hair, and he wraps an arm around her.

Leia was then attacked by an embrace from around her waist, causing her to stumble back a bit.

"I'll miss you, sissy," Lily cried into Leia's shirt.

"I'll miss you too, baby," Leia said, kneeling down a bit to her level. "I'll think about you everyday."

"Me too." Lily then wrapped her arms around Leia's neck, and she returned it, rubbing her back soothingly.

Leia then glanced over at her parents, who hold each other lightly. Her mother was rubbing her father's arms up and down, hoping to help him hold in the tears.

Leia darted into their arms, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I love you," Leia said.

"We love you more," they replied.

"I love you most."

Leia broke from the embrace and took one last glance at her whole family, all tightly-knit together, before making her way into the mini van. Her cousins, Kevin and Karen, gave their final goodbyes and followed Leia's lead.

Auntie Judy hopped into the driver seat and cheered out the window.

"Next stop: Las Vegas!"

The rest of the family outside called out to them in various ways of saying goodbye.  Leia stuck her head out of the window and blew them kisses and waved out to them.

"I love you guys!"

"Love you too!"

In the space of a few seconds, Auntie Judy made a right turn onto Main Street, making it impossible to view Leia's family.

Leia is moving on; there's nothing that could stop her now.

A jeep from behind them sped up and cut them off, causing Auntie Judy to stop the car.

"What the heck!" She honked the horn. "I'm trying to get somewhere!"

A man exits the vehicle, seemingly out of breath, and dashes over to Auntie Judy's van.

"I'm sorry, but is Leia in here?"

Leia's heart stops. It's the one person she'd least likely expect to appear. 

"Eathan?"