Gracie Rose | tracy beaker returns {on hiatus}

13

"I've been offered a job in London, as a junior reporter for a newspaper!" Tracy said to us. It was everything she'd ever wanted. I was so pleased for her!

"Wow!" Carmen said with a smile.

"So I'm leaving," Tracy carried on.

My heart sank. I couldn't believe it.

"I'm sorry I can't turn it down." She said.

"Well, easy come, easy go." Sapphire said, before walking out of the living room.

"Bye bye, Tracy!" said Harry.

"I'm not leaving yet!" Tracy said, her voice beginning to break. Everyone else followed her, bashing Tracy as they walked past. I felt tears roll down my cheeks as everyone was walking out.

As Lily stood up, she tried to get me and Carmen to come with her. Carmen felt so pressured, so she stood up and followed her.

"Gracie?"

"I'll meet you in your room. I just need a moment to calm down." I said.

"Are you okay?" Lily asked. I nodded and gave them a weak smile so that they'd believe me. Once they left, I broke down into floods of tears. Tracy sat next to me and burst into tears also.

"I don't want you to leave. I can't do this without you," I sobbed.

"You can. You're strong." Tracy wept.

"I want to help you. I really do. Just please don't mention it to anyone. Just say that nobody has done it. But I will, I promise. Just not today, I can't even string a sentence together properly." I said.

"I'm sorry. I know it's hurt you all, but it's what's best for me. You know that." Tracy whispered.

"I know. You deserve the job you've always wanted, and I want to help you get it." I said. Tracy gave me a big hug and we cried together for a few minutes.

"Right, you head upstairs and meet the girls while I get some stuff done. If you need me, just text me." Tracy said, wiping my eyes. I did the same to her and gave her a smile before going upstairs.

*****

I was brushing my teeth in the bathroom with Carmen, Tee and Lily, and of course, Tracy popped into conversation. Every time the situation was mentioned, I felt like having a massive breakdown, but I knew I couldn't, meaning every emotion I felt was being bottled up inside me. Tracy always told me not to do that, as it makes everything worse.

"We can't help her." Lily ordered.

"Why?" Tee asked.

"We just aren't. She promised me she'd help me get back with Poppy and Rosie, and now she's leaving. Promise you won't do it?" Lily said. Carmen and Tee nodded, but I froze.

"Gracie?"

"Yeah, I guess," I said quietly. Carmen stroked my shoulder and gave me a nod, just to check I was okay. I smiled back and headed for my room.

LATER THAT NIGHT

"I'm leaving, I'm leaving, I'm leaving..." was all that was going through my head. It made me feel sick, just hearing Tracy's voice say that over and over in my head. I couldn't stop it. I sat up in bed, with my back against the wall and took deep breaths, in and out, in and out. I was beginning to calm down when I heard Johnny arguing with the girls. My heart rate shot back up again, making me start to panic. I switched my lamp on and looked around the room, just to try and distract myself, but it didn't work. All the shouting was happening right outside my bedroom. The louder it got, the worse I felt. I started sobbing, trying to breathe normally but struggling. When the arguing stopped, Gina came rushing into my room to check on me.