Don't forget me

Arrival of an Oaf

People are crying everywhere.

The end of high school marks the end of an era for some, but for most it'll be the last time they feel totally in power. The athletes will be back at the bottom of the pecking order and all the 'nerds' will feel endless relief in the fact that their years of torment are finally over. I can't help but chuckle as girls walk past me huddled together, mascara streaming, as they desperately attempt to get passing boys to sign their shirts.

This is what all my high school years have added up to. A graffitied shirt filled full of names I'm likely to forget in a few years and a photo of my tormentors and fellow tormentees. I scoff as yet another group of friends scurry past calling to someone ahead to take a photo of them,

"Can you believe it?" I say lowly to the mop of hair beside me.

"Believe what?" The mop of hair replies as Kia's face retreats from the inside of her locker.

"That after everything everyone is acting... I dunno like they were always friends." I huff, indicating to the swarm of people crying and hugging each other.

Kia laughs in response to my comment, "I think people just want to move on with their lives Jess. Don't overthink it, just smile and as soon as I'm done here, we can leave."

I nod my head and breathe deeply just wanting the day to be finished. I hear the familiar sound of a locker slamming shut and look to see Kia finally pulling her schoolbag over her shoulder, clearly struggling.

"Got everything?" I ask her as we begin our final descent down the school's atrium stairs.

"Yep and even if I don't, does it really matter at this point?" I laugh at her point and nod my head in agreement.

As we step into the corridor two bodies come wheeling around the corner, a voice calls out frantically in warning but it's already too late. With a thud I watch as Kia falls to the floor into a dramatic heap, a large body completely squashing her small frame.

"Oh shit." I yelp as I scramble towards Kia and the offender.

"Jake, I told you to slow down you fucking idiot." A second body joins mine, brushing past me and grabbing the arm of the guy who pretty much rugby tackled Kia to the floor.

"I'm sorry man but I thought Chloe was still chasing me." The huge oaf groans as he stands, at first, he seems to forget what's happened before noticing the heap that I call Kia.

"I'm so sorry," He apologises quickly before helping her off of the floor, "I didn't see you coming, and I thought this chick was after me and I just..." His voice trails off and he sees the smirk that's painted on Kia's lips.

"Did you reject her?" Kia blurts out. My eyes boggle in surprise, I knew Kia was confident, especially with guys, but I didn't realise she was this confident.

"Uhh yeh I did." The oaf rubs the back of his neck awkwardly as he and his buddy look at each other in shared confusion.

A laugh suddenly erupts from Kia's mouth and the two boys stand there looking completely lost. Kia appears to sense this and looks back to the oaf,

"Chloe? Chloe Grant?" She questions and I soon understand her amusement.

"Yeh that's the one."

"Good job." Kia simply replies before grabbing her bag off the floor and joining my side again.

"Anyway, nice meeting you both but we've got a pot of ice cream calling us." As we both turn to leave the Oaf's voice bellows out again,

"Hey, wait up, if you guys are free later there's a small leavers party at mine?" He asks.

I grin a little internally knowing that this guy is about to get rejected for the second time today and ready myself to watch as his ego drops out of his ass.

But Kia's reply throws me off entirely,

"Sounds like a plan, I'll give you my number and you can text me the address?" The Oaf nods in approval of this plan and I watch as the two silently exchange numbers.

Myself and the second guy appear to have become background noise to our friends, something I'm very used to, however as I observe the Oaf's friend, I can tell he is not used to it. He shifts awkwardly on his feet, rocking his weight back and forth impatiently. As the two break apart, the boys fade into the leavers crowd leaving me to stare angrily at Kia.

"What?" She laughs at my utter inability to stay annoyed at her, as my "angry" face withers and breaks. Instead I replace it with my face of disappointment.

"I thought we were having a girl's night?" I question.

"We still can but going out for a couple of hours to drink won't hurt." She finishes innocently.

I groan loudly as we make our way towards the carpark and Kia's black polo. "You know I hate socialising."

"Yes, and this is exactly why you need this Jessie." Kia swivels to face me in the passenger seat, grabbing my hands,

"In September I won't be there to talk to all the time, you're gonna have to make new friends and talk to other people."

I squirm in her stare but understand what she's saying, although we haven't discussed it much, I'm dreading the impending split of our paths. With Kia wanting to go into law and me still questioning what it is I want, it's highly unlikely we'll end up anywhere near each other.

I sniffle, "Don't, you'll make me cry."

"But you understand what I'm saying yeh?" The air has shifted between us and I sigh before enveloping her in a hug.

"Yeh Kia I know, I just... I don't want to lose you."

She pulls me back from our hug, her hands gripping my shoulders,

"You'll always have me, I promise."

I grin at her, "So... where did he say this party was again?"

Kia squeals in happiness and as she starts the engine I can't help but feel anxiety start to brew in the pit of my stomach.