"Prom queen goes to," my headteacher said. "Evie Ball."
"Go Evie," I shouted as she went up to collect her tiara and sash.
"I disagree with that," Brooklyn whispered my ear.
"Well I happen to think you should've got prom king," I whispered back. We waited a while before we moved onto the dance floor. It was nearing the end of the night and I was getting sadder and sadder as the time went on.
"I'm leaving in ten minutes to come and get you," James said through the phone. "That gives you forty minutes to do what you need to do. It's the latest I can leave it."
"Alright," I said and took a deep breath. I looked up at Brooklyn as we danced. Tears started to slip down my face slowly. I put my phone in my clutch. "We need to talk." I grabbed his hand and we walked outside. We sat down on a wall.
"What's wrong?" he questioned. "Why are you crying?"
"I'm so sorry," I whispered. "You have to know I didn't want this to happen."
"What are you going on about?"
"I always thought it would be you," I said sadly. "I never though it would be who was going."
"Where are you going Ella?"
"Los Angeles."
"It's only for a holiday though, right?" he said. I could tell he didn't believe it. "There's no need to cry if it is only for a holiday."
Jade and some girls came out but as soon as they saw us they went back inside. Just before the door closed she mouthes 'goodbye'.
"I'm so sorry." I cried as I shook my head. "I didn't want it to be like this."
"You can't leave me," he said. He bent down in front of me. "You can't."
"I have no choice," I said. "Mum won't let me stay, I don't have anyone to keep an eye on me here." I grabbed his hands. "I don't want to go but it is my mother's job. We have to."
"How long are you going for?" he asked after a few minutes. "Are you coming back?"
"I don't know," I answered honestly. I really didn't know anything about it anymore. "If we come back it probably won't be until the end of the year."
"Why didn't you tell me before?" he whispered.
I took the opportunity to study his face. His eyes were glistening with tears. "I didn't want for us to be counting down the days until I leave. I wanted to make as many memories with you as possible."
"That is why you made me sleep in your house that night," he said. "I thought it was strange."
"I can't leave knowing you hate me," I cried. "Do you hate me?"
"Of course I don't," he answered straight away. He let the tears run down his face slowly. "I love you so much. We can make this work."
"No." I cupped his cheek in my hand. I only had twenty minutes left. "I don't want to try and make it work when it won't. You know as well as me that we weren't going to last if you had to leave. It's the same thing. When I come back, if you want we can try things out again but I don't want to be in a relationship where I never get to see you. I need to see you all the time or never."
"I will wait for you then," he said with a nod. "I will wait for you until you are back and then we can make it work. I promise." He squeezed my hands. "How long do we have until you leave? We have a week or so, right?"
"My plane leaves in less than five hours," I whispered slowly. I let myself cry for a bit. I saw James pull into the car park. "I love you."
"I love you too," he said back. He kissed me slowly. I could taste the tears on his lips. "You will always be my girl."
"Even if nothing happens when I come back," I said. "If you've moved or something, I want you to know that I will always love you. I will never forget you Brooklyn."
"I will never stop loving you," he whispered. We kissed again, this time with more passion. "Let me know that you've landed safely."
I nodded before I turned to walk away. He pulled me back towards his body. "Goodbye beautiful."
"Don't make it sound so permanent," I whispered. "I've got to go." I looked at his face one last time. "I love you."
"I love you too," he whispered sadly.
I got halfway to James' car before I heard Evie calling me.
"I will miss you." She embraced me tightly.
"Look after him for me," I said as I hugged her back. "Make sure he's alright." I pulled away. "Goodbye."
Taking the seat in that car was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Twice, I turned around to go back. I didn't stop crying until we got to the airport.
I would never forget those nine months.
