Growing Pains

Chapter Fourty-Five

Trent

I held out my hand. Justin ignored it and stood up with a frown. He touched the yellowing bruise that now bloomed with a red blotch with a wince, letting out a hiss of pain.

I wasn't sure what he was expecting by coming out here. Duncan hated the guy, so nothing good would come of it. And seeing the way Courtney has been acting around Duncan recently, I was certain that ship had sailed.

So I asked him as much. "What are you doing here, man?" He looked out at the forest, a harsh expression turning his blue eyes into twin flames of ice and cold.

"My manager called me," he looked at me then, his eyes filled with a spark of delight amongst the chaos, "There's been a change in plans."

I told Gwen that night. She was so happy for me that she let out a squeal—a noise so unlike her it made me laugh. But then, as she realized what was to come, she started to cry.

I stayed in her room with her that night, holding her in silence. I wasn't sure what else to do.

My heart was torn in half, and I made the decision in the morning to leave half of it here with her. She understood, actually encouraged it, telling me that I had to chase after my dreams. She would wait for me.

We had just come back together only to be cleaved apart. The world was cruel.

I packed my things later that morning, surprised to find Courtney doing the same. I didn't ask why though, her face was so crumpled and hard all at once that I knew better than to pry.

Gwen promised me that she would tell everyone on my behalf. I thanked for it, kissing her once more. I savored that kid because I knew it would be our last for a long time.

I was leaving one love for another; such a fickle thing, my heart.

Justin's words rang in my ears on the drive back home.

We're being flown out to California in a week. There's a recording studio out there. The producer in Miami loved your songs so much that she wants to start pumping out the album as soon as we can.

There were so many questions I had. I worried about my education but he assured me that we could start taking classes online as soon as tomorrow. I worried about my parents, but he told me that he already informed them. My mom was coming with me, thankfully.

And I worried about my friends. He gave me only a sad look at that, but had nothing else to offer. I wondered then if had friends that would miss him the way I would miss mine. In that moment, I felt pity for this boy who had no one to hold onto.

I pulled up to my house and saw my parents standing on the porch. My mother rushed down the steps and swept me into a tight hug, crying tears of joy through her smile. My dad was puffed up with pride as he clasped a hand on my shoulder, muttering encouragements.

And even though I knew I would miss so many things, I did not look back for an instant. This was my dream.

So I marched forward and stepped into my future.