Running out of time

Chapter 15. Lucy - Stay with me

"Coles! Oh my God! I swear that I will phone you every single fricking day! I'll send you a text on how I'm doing and we can meet up in the holidays, it's not for that long..." On the other end of the phone, Collin, my boyfriend is practically in tears.

It hurts that I have to lie to him, but what else am I meant to do?
I told him that I'm going to a boarding school up North in a small place called Anderson, after the words had left my lips, I gulped, loudly. After all Anderson is his surname... I was glad when he cheered up because of that.
When I said goodbye to him, he was leaning in for a kiss, and for some reason I left him there, staring at me, wondering why I was paralysed to the spot. For some reason, it didn't feel right anymore...

I got up from the sofa we were sitting on in his living room and waved him goodbye, I waved his mum goodbye too. As I was about to step out the door, Collin ran towards me, he put his arms around my waist and pulled me into a hug. "At least let me drive you to the airport?" He suggested.
"I can handle it" I replied giving him a quick peck on the cheek before slipping out the door.

I have to go back to the academy now, Anna's probably waiting for me. We're taking it in turns to say goodbye to our loved ones. Mum and dad had a meeting with the headmistress along with the other parents, I don't know how she did it, but all our parents were completely persuaded to let us stay at the academy. Perhaps we can learn how to do that?

I strolled along through the woods, saying goodbye to my old town. After reaching the edge, I walked into the town centre where my best friend Winnie was waiting for me. Realising time is slipping away, I start to run towards her, only to see her like this: her hair is tied back in uneven pigtails, her  pink sock doesn't match with her green sock  and she's wearing a pair of dungarees over a vibrant t-shirt featuring a bright rainbow. As you can tell, she is absolutely crazy.

"Lucy" Winnie hugged me tightly. She was crying. I feel so god dammed bad. How did this happen?

"Luce, stay with me" Winnie pleaded
"You know I can't" I replied flatly
"It isn't fair"
"I know"
It isn't right"
"I know" 
that was the last straw, I can't handle this anymore. I gave her a hug one last time and turned away "I have to go"

"Why?"

Those words pierced me like a knife. I was stunned and turned around to face her pulling my hair out the way and behind my ears. Thoughts were rapidly racing around in my mind. Was I allowed to tell someone about the academy? She's my best friend, so why not? They didn't exactly specify what to do right? Wait - I don't want to get into trouble, maybe I can ask Juliette, she did say she was here to help me...

I looked at Winnie and for a moment, I was about to say 'I want to go with you' but I couldn't do that could I? I didn't have a good answer for her, so I said something that was definitely going to happen

"I'll call you"

And with that, I left. After I was out of view I sighed and hit my forehead with my palm. How could I have been so dumb to actually consider staying with her? I have to go... Everyone's counting on me. Sighing again I think. There's too much pressure on me, hiding away almost seems like a plan, a great one in fact.

I shook my head. "No" I said aloud and firmly. People are counting on me, and this time I'm not going to sit in the corner and dream, this time I'm going to fight.