Secrets & Tallymarks

Chapter seven II First day as a Senior

CJ fiddled under the gaze of her best-friend's mother, ignoring the uneasy feeling residing in the pit of her stomach. His mothers head was the only thing poking out from behind the wooden door. That alone was strange, this surely couldn't be the same woman who always opened the door with the biggest smile and warm embraces.

"Um, is Noah home?" CJ eventually spoke, the silence building up too much tension.

His mother, who went by the name of Janet, immediately shifted her eyes from CJ.

"Noah?" She repeated, eyebrows furrowed.

"Yes...."

She just stared.

"Your son...." CJ drew out.

"Oh, Noah! Sorry dear." She seemed distant, like she was talking but not really saying anything.

"Hes gone to boarding school." She began slowly.

"Sorry, what?" CJ's fists clutched into little balls, taking a step back.

"Yes dear....." Her words were slurred.

"Didn't he tell you? He's known for months, has known he was leaving today for a while now. He said he told you."

CJ tried to speak, but her words wouldn't form, let alone roll off her tongue.

Her best friend was sent off to boarding school. Which he apparently knew about, but never mentioned.

He lied.

Didn't even say goodbye.

CJ stared at his mother who seemed on another planet, sleep deprived, and had just finished her tenth glass of wine.

Gathering herself, she spoke.

"I didn't even know there was a boarding school around here".

Janet forced a laugh which came out as more of a cough. "Oh there is sweet pea".

"Where?" CJ pressed.

"Way way wayyyy out of this town" It looked as if she had lost her balance with the last 'way' and had to regain her position at the end of the wooden door.

"I'm sorry he didn't tell you." His mother had connected the dots, meeting CJ's gaze for the first time in the conversation. There was in something in her eyes that she was harbouring. A flicker of sadness engulfed her features before she cleared her throat, eyes darting away from CJ once more.

"Well love, I'll come around tomorrow with my apple pie, feeling a bit under the weather today. I'll ring Noah tomorrow and get him to talk to you on the phone." She managed a sentence, but before CJ could reply the door got shut in her face.

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CJ's eyes shot open, her hand darting to Chico who was sleeping on top of her chest – she stroked his fur, exhaling the breath that she had been holding in.

She would never forget the day she had been told her best-friend as a 13 year old had been sent away. The fact that the awful moment often reoccurred in her dreams didn't help. It was as if the universe was reminding her that Noah didn't care for her nearly as much as she thought he did, otherwise he would of said goodbye, at least.

She hadn't seen or heard from him since.

Noah and CJ had been very close, ever since they were babies in fact. He had been born and raised in this town just like herself, their mothers were best friends from childhood. So becoming best friends was inevitable for them. They had always been like two peas in a pod, they did everything together, even looked like twins most of the town would remark.