"Take care darling, phone me when you get there."
"Alright Mom, I will." I reassured her as we hugged for what seemed the hundredth time this morning.
"Have you talked to Jake yet?" She asked concerned.
"Not yet. We're going to stop by his place on the way there."
Minutes later I was sitting in the van with all the boys. The car ride to Jake's place was short, and during the little time I had my mind went through all of the worst scenarios. Will he forgive me for ruining our dream? The question now was, was it ever our dream? Was leaving this town and going to Juilliard what I wanted? Was it only Jake's dream? Was he the one who dreamed big and made me tag along? Those questions were still to be answered as I got out of the car and made my way to the door. I was on the front porch now, I knocked three times and waited in the stillness of the day, only disturbed by the soft humming of the van.
With a creak the door opened to reveal a woman in her mid-thirties smiling down at me.
"Oh, Julie! Hello, sweetheart, I didn't expect to see you. I thought you and Jake were meeting later today?"
"Yeah, there has been a small change of plans. Is Jake at home by any chance?" The answer was obvious it was 8 in the morning after all, where else could he be at this hour?
"He's upstairs, just woke up probably. I'll get him for you." I watched as the trudged up the stairs in her fluffy bathrobe and pink bunny slippers.
I took a deep breath and waited. I was woken up from my trance by a hiss of pain as Jake walked into the stairs railing while trying to put on a shirt and walk at the same time. I laughed inside but tried to keep myself serious for time being.
"Hey Ri! What's up?" He asked coming out onto the porch and shutting the door behind him. I looked at my best friend, his radiant smile, messed up hair, deep eyes.
"Listen, I - I got a job."
"What? That's great!"
"No, no please Jake let me finish. I got a job… as a coach on the x-factor. It's an amazing opportunity and I couldn't say no Jakey."
"What about Juilliard?" He asked me, his voice shaking.
"That was never my dream Jake. You are the one who really wants it, and you're the one who really deserves it." I was on the verge of tears but tried to keep them in. I didn't want him to see me cry right now.
"What about school? We're on break now, but what are you going to do next week?"
"I'm going to be taking my classes online."
"Wow, I guess you have it all figured out already."
"It's not me. It's the boys." I said with a weak smile which Jake returned. We stood there, in silence, taking in each other's appearance, not wanting to let go of this moment.
The silence was broken by a loud car horn.
"COMING!" I yelled in the direction of the van.
"I'm sorry Jake."
"It's okay Ri, this is your life now." He said jerking his head towards the van.
"Thank you." A single tear rolled down my cheek as I looked at my best friend.
"Stay strong RonRon, and make me proud will you?"
"I will."
Jake hugged me, and I didn't want to let go. We both wished that we could stay like this.
"Jakey? Can you promise me one thing?"
"Of course, what is it?"
"At Juilliard, give them hell." I said with a wink and earned a small chuckle from the boy standing in front of me.
"If you ever need anything, just give me a call, I promise I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Thank you," and with one last hug I kissed away a tear which was slowly rolling down Jake's cheek, and turning around hurriedly I made my way to the car. Knowing, that if I turn back now I won't be able to leave.
I got into the van to spot that the boys have all changed their seats. Liam was sitting shotgun, next to the driver who was, I assume, sent here this morning by Simon. Zayn, Niall, and Louis were all sitting in the row behind him, singing along happily to any song which came on the radio. Then, there was Harry, sitting at the back and looking out the window at Jake who was still standing on the front porch. It seems that the curly haired boy was the only one watching the whole scene that went on between me and my best friend only seconds ago.
I made my way to him and sat down, looking out the window just like he was and waving at Jake one last time before the car drove away.
I rested my head against the cold window and let the tears fall. I was safe here, at the back of the car, where only Harry could see me. I knew that I would have the chance to visit Jake from time to time, maybe even get him to move to London too, but still, leaving him here all alone made me feel uneasy. We've been inseparable ever since that terrible accident. We were the two who survived, and we helped each other survive through the grief.
I felt a pair of arms pulling me closer, it was Harry, and as much as I didn't like having people see me cry, I couldn't thank him enough.
Just before I drifted off into an uneasy sleep I thought to myself 'I really hope that leaving all this behind is worth what's waiting for me.'
---
It's short, and sad.. I know! Sorry but I had to get through this chapter!! Stay with me it will get better.. hopefully.
Pelease comment and vote!! It reallyyyy means a lot. xxx
