Maybe One Day

14: Back To School

So my week has kind of sucked thus far.

First of all, Eli leaves today. That sucks.

Secondly, school starts tomorrow. That also sucks.

As I sit on my bed, the early morning sun streams in through my window over my face. I slowly open the window and crawl out onto the roof. It's a warm morning and I pull my knees up to my chin, arms around my legs. I watch a robin land on the tree next to my house and sing to its companion in the next tree over. The orange glow of the sun is casting long shadows over the cluster of houses. Across the street, I hear people shouting instructions to each other. It's Eli's mom telling the movers to be careful with that, or put these next to those.

As she turns around, she glances up and sees me on the roof. "Hello, Olivia." She calls to me.

"Hi, Mrs. Wilson." I answer.

"Elijah is inside if you want to talk to him. We'll be leaving in about an hour or so."

"Thank you, I'll be over in a minute."

She turns and heads back inside to get more boxes. I sigh and brace myself for goodbye, something I'd never been good at. I go back into my room, then down the stairs and out the front door. I pull my hair into a bun and slowly walk across the street, delaying the inevitable. I walk into their house without knocking, as I've done many times.

"Livie!" A voice to my right yells as I walk in. I look over to see Eli's little sister, Kyla, running toward me with her arms extended.

"Hey Ky! How've you been?" I ask as I embrace her forceful hug.

"Good! You haven't come over in a while!" she stares up at me. Kyla is Noah's age and they are as close as me and Eli.

"I know, I've been so busy! Are you excited to go to your new house?"

"Yes! But you're not coming," she pouts. Her face lights up for a minute as she asks hopefully, "Wait, are you?"

"No, sorry sweetie. I wish I could."

"Aw, okay," she sighs as Mr. Wilson passes, carrying a large box, blocking his view, and I quickly hop out of the way to avoid getting hit. As he passes me and notices me, he says, "Oh, Olivia! Didn't see you there! We're a little flustered, what with all this moving stuff."

"Oh, I'd be happy to help," I offer, picking up a small box labeled Jennifer's College Things. "This one goes in the truck?"

"Oh, you don't have to do that!" He protests.

"No, it's not a problem," I insist.

"Why thank you! That one will go in our van. Right this way." Kyla takes this as her cue to go and scampers back upstairs.

"So this is all Mrs. Wilson's college stuff?" I ask, peeking in the box as I walk.

"Yep," he sounds struggled from the weight of the box as he says, "We met in college, but didn't date until afterward. She was a little too crazy for me, you know how college girls are -"

"Uh, Dad?" A voice says from the top of the steps. "Why are you explaining your love story to a mover?"

"Because she's a very friendly mover, why don't you come talk to her?" he answers.

Eli comes down the steps, a questioning look on his face. He sees me and follows me out to the van. I set the box in the trunk and turn toward him. "You feel like helping me pack up the stuff in my room?"

"Sure," I answer, and follow him up the stairs into the first room on the left. "Why haven't you finished packing yet, you're supposed to be leaving in an hour!" I scold.