Look After You

Ch 1: Saying Goodbye

"Claire! Sara's here!" I unplugged my headphones and yelled, "Be right there!" I started to get up off my bed when my best friend's good-naturedly grumbling came from the stairs.

"Don't worry Claire. I'm on my way up, lazy bones." I laughed and quickly straightened my bed, as if I hadn't been lying in bed for the last two hours, listening to One Direction on replay. I was putting all my panda pillows in order when Sara's voice came from the doorway.

"You know Claire, you don't have to straighten up. I am your best friend, remember?" 

I turned around to see Sara standing in my doorway, laughing. We're total opposites, Sara and me. I'm tall and she's short. I'm a grade ahead of her and two years older than her. But somehow, we make our friendship work.

I hugged her and almost lifted her off the ground. Sara whacked my arm and I put her down, laughing. 

"God, are you trying to break me or something?" she asked. I laughed harder and patted her on the head, something she despises. "Sorry mi amiga, you're just so fragile." Sara grinned and threw herself on my bed. I sat down next to her and she started talking.

"Anyway I just came over to say that I can't believe you're going away for the entire summer. It's unbelievably unfair that you're staying in a beach house in Florida, where I'm stuck here." Sara pouted for dramatic effect and I laughed. 

"But I know you're going to have a fabulous time. Text me lots and just remember that I love you. Ok?" This summer was going to be the first real test on our friendship, we'd never been apart for this long before. 

"I know. I'm going to miss you too. Let's take a picture of us. Maybe we can send pictures back and forth?" I suggested. 

She nodded and pulled out her silver camera. We squeezed together and smiled for the camera. After the flash had blinded us, we looked at the picture. Sara, with her strawberry blond hair and blue eyes, was smiling with her head on my shoulder. My brown hair and hazel eyes actually looked pretty today, much to my shock. Usually I hate every picture I'm in. 

"Claire! We're leaving for the airport in ten minutes! And Sara, your mom is here!" my mom yelled up the stairs. We both sighed in unison, looked at each other, and started laughing again. Sara put her camera away and stood up. I quickly began shoving the last few items I needed into my carry on bag. Sara was texting this guy she liked, apparently they'd been texting a lot over the past few weeks. I hoped it worked out, Sara has the same luck I do with guys. 

"CLAIRE! We're leaving in five! SARA, your mom's here!" my mom yelled. We sighed and Sara hugged me. Her last words were "Have fun in Florida, Claire.  Maybe you'll meet someone new." She left and I laughed, but there was a tiny shred of hope in the back of my mind. Maybe I would meet someone new, but if I did, who?