Opal's Story

'So I'm Leaving'

I woke up earlier than I thought I would this morning so I decide to get dressed, head downstairs and spend my morning in the garden

I take a seat on the old car chairs and it's so peaceful, birds tweeting mixed with the sweet silence

I'm convinced today will be a good day

It's bound to be!

I look up into the baby blue sky, wishing Dani could be here with me right now

I hadn't heard from her in weeks...but Tracy got me through that desolate silence and I'd be forever grateful to her

I hear everyone shouting and arguing meaning the silence was abruptly cut off and I was dragged from my own little world into the real one

Tracy tells us all to come into the living room, she comes outside to see me and gives me a sad or apologetic smile before walking away

I couldn't tell which it was

But what I wanted to know is why is she sorry? And why would she be sad?

I head into the living room taking a seat

'I've been offered a job in London as a junior reporter for a newspaper' Tracy says

'Wow!' Carmen says excitedly

'So I'm leaving' she says

I feel the colour drain from my face, she's joking right? Yeah she's joking...

'I'm sorry I can't turn it down it means too much' she says

'Oh and we don't?' I say

She stays silent

'You promised you'd help me get back with poppy and Rosie!' Lily says

'Lily I'm sor...' Tracy says but she stops when Lily turns away from her

She gives me a desperate look and I stare at the floor

How can she leave now? She can't!!

'I think it's great! You can write about us all and make us all famous!' Carmen says smiling

I roll my eyes, she really doesn't get it

'Well I don't know about famous but I would love to write about you' she says

I can't listen to this anymore.

'The editor wants the article to be from your point of view...it's kind of like a test?' She says gently

No matter how gently she says it, it still hurts

'Hold on a second you wanna leave us but you want our help? Sorry Tracy that sucks' Liam says going to leave

'Liam please' She says, tears slowly falling down her cheeks

'You want out? Fine. Go. You ain't getting my help' he says angrily before leaving, followed by Frank, Harry, Toby, Gus, Johnny, Tee, Lily each of them shoving and pushing into her as they leave

'Carmen!' Lily says

Carmen looks up at Tracy before getting up and leaving

She turns to face me and I don't look back

'Opal please, you're a great writer, you could make this work' she says

'I could. But I don't want too' I say angrily

'Please I need this job it's all I've ever dreamt about!' She says

'Fine. Go and live your dreams. I don't care.' I say before leaving

She says something but I just walk away

I hear her break down and as much as I want to go back

I don't.

I run up to my room and once the doors shut I cry and cry

She can't leave me

I see our picture in the frame and without even thinking I grab it and throw it against the wall hearing it shatter into smithereens

I hear a knock on the door and I angrily thump my fist against it

'Leave me alone!! You're just like everyone else you just pick me up and dump me whenever you feel like it!!' I shout

'I'm not dumping you!' She says

'Opal please let me in' She says desperately

I open the door and she gasps at what I've done

'Why are you shocked? This is your fault Tracy.' I say angrily before leaving my room leaving her to literally pick up the pieces

I hear her burst into tears and I don't turn back