Cole & Jamie

June 2007

"Everyone squeeze together! I want to take a picture."

Mom stood in front of us the disposable camera she bought for the party in her hand. I told her she could use my digital one, but she refused, saying it would be too hard for her to learn how to use it. I just think she didn't want to deal with getting them printed.

Julian, Trish, Cole, me, and every other person I had ever met squeezed together for one last group picture. Tonight was the last night we would all be together for a while. I fly to New York tomorrow and I wouldn't be back home until Christmas break. A part of me was sad to be leaving the only home I've ever known for a city I'd only been to once. The other part, the much bigger part, of me was so excited I could hardly breathe. I mean I was moving to New York City. Me, Jamie Anderson, it was unbelievable.

"Come on, Cole, try to smile," Mom teased.

Cole stood directly behind me. We hadn't had a chance to talk yet but he hasn't been able to meet my eyes all day. I tilted my head back to look at him. "Smile, for just one picture," I pleaded. "And then you can frown for the rest."

"Fine," he bit out, plastering the fakest smile I'd ever seen onto his face.

It wasn't exactly what I wanted but it would do. "Okay, Mama, take the picture! My cheeks are starting to hurt."

"Alright, everyone say cheese on three!" she called out. "One...two...three!"

The flash went off with a pop. There was an audible sigh that rippled throughout the party once she put the camera down. At this point, we had enough pictures to fill at least three scrapbooks and that's just from tonight alone.

I turned around to try to snag Cole but he was gone. I looked around my backyard in search of him, but he was nowhere to be found. Where did he take off so fast?

I went over to Trish and Julian who stood next to the refreshment table, eating their fill of Harriet's catering. She'd gone all out tonight. Providing us with all my favorites, mini cheeseburgers, cheesy potato bites, and my absolute favorite, her famous chocolate cake. I was going to miss her cooking. And Mom's too. They offered to send me some of their recipes but we all knew I would never do them justice. Not to mention, I was going to be in a dorm not much room to cook a full course meal in there.

"Have you guys seen Cole?" I asked, pouring myself a drink. "I wanted to talk to him before the party was over."

"Oh, he's probably somewhere sulking," replied Trish.

"Hey, give the guy a break. His best friend is moving away," Julian said taking a gulp of his definitely spiked, fruit punch. "I think it's fair for him to be extra sad today."

"Don't get it twisted I'm about thirty minutes from crying myself, but damn, he acts like we're at your funeral. It's a real mood killer."

I shuffled uncomfortably on my feet. I knew out of all my friends he was taking my leaving the hardest, but I hated to hear it. Cole and I have been attached at the hip for as long as I can remember it was going to be hard not having him around. I wish I could sneak him into my suitcase and take him with me. "I should find him."

"Tracy's still here, so he's not too far." Trish sneered at Tracy who stood across the yard talking on her cellphone. "I wish he would break up with her already."

Julian chuckled. "When has that ever stopped her from hanging around?"

"I'm going to find him," I announced setting my cup on the table. "Try not to pick a fight with her tonight, okay?" I wasn't Tracy's biggest fan by any means, but I would pretend for the night, and tomorrow she would be nothing but a memory.