Time to Move On

Monday

BEEP!BEEP!BEEP! 5:30  I check my phone. No texts or calls. Weird. I get dressed in my favorite outfit. It's a floral shirt with jean shorts, paired with a simple gold choker and a charm bracelet. I meet my mom downstairs and grab a bagel.

"Bye Mom!" giving her a quick kiss.

"See you honey!" she says.

I drive to school today.  Still no sign of Jo or Chris. I arrive at school a little early so I stay in my car. I turn up some music to lighten the mood. BRING! Uh oh. The bell. I bolt out of my car and into the school never once looking back. I see a blur of black hair and I immediately recognize her. Jo.

"Hey! Jo! Why haven't you texted me all day?"

"Oh hey! Um...I had no reason to." Something's not right. She always texts me EVEN when there's nothing.

"You sure? I just got a little worried."

"Yea, it's no big deal. And um, I wanted to ask if we can do the concert next thursday."

"Totally! Did you get tickets?"

"On it."

"Ok see you in Chem." We part ways.

Classes feel like days passing by. Listening to the same thing over and over again. BUZZ! It's Chris.

"Hey"

"Hey you"

"In class?"

"Yea, u?"

"Same here"

"Park early Thursday?"

"Can't already have plans."

"What u doing?"

"Quality time with fam."

"Oh ok. Gtg."

"Bye.

I take a deep breath. Today feels super slow. No one seems to be talking. It's like everyone is off the grid. I go to Chem and see Jo beaming.

"Hey girl!" she says.

"Hey!"

"I wanted to tell you that I can't pick you up for the concert... I'll be away with my aunt."

"Oh..." That's weird. Both Chris and Jo are visiting family that day.

"That's fine right?"

"Yea."

Class starts and Mrs.Watkins tells us about approaching finals. My mind wanders off to a distant memory.

The sun is shining. The sky is blue. Everything is perfect. Jaxson and I are laying on the grass looking at the clouds.

"I love how we can make the most boring of things fun." he said.

"Hm true. I just love to spend time with you." I turn facing him. He looks at the sky and says, "I can't imagine my life without you."

"Me too. It wouldn't be a very good one either...I can't believe it, we'll be off the college soon."

"Oh yea... about that."

"What is it Jax?"

"I'm taking an offshore course."

"Why didn't you say anything before?"

"I didn't want to overwhelm you."

"I'm here to support you, always, you know that. We can make long distance work."

"That's what makes it hard to leave. I don't want to leave Cathy," he turns facing me now. "I want to be with you. And only you." Silence dawns upon us. The kind where it doesn't feel awkward, but where everything is going right. "I love you." I don't hesitate to reply, "I love you too." We both smile and go back to looking at the clouds.

"Cathy?Cathy?" a stern voice calls. I don't recall that being part of the moment. I snap into reality and see Mrs.Watkins in front of me.

"I'm sorry, I'm just not feeling well today." I apologize.

"Well next time, don't doze off here." I nod and look down. I see Jo next to me clearly confused. "What happened?"

"Just flashback." that says it all. She nods and goes back to work. My mind wanders again, but this time to Chris. I can't help but realize how much he reminds me of Jax. It almost hurts. They share the same light laughter, genuine smile and soft touch.