When I See You Again

Chapter 3: Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

That night, after my mom had chased me down and made sure I was okay, she had taken me home to calm down. I had gone straight to bed after that, falling asleep while clinging desperately to the picture frame.

I hadn't got the chance to tell Aspen about the move yet, and frankly, I didn't want to. I was scared, and still trying to wrap my head around things.

The next morning when I walked down the stairs, cardboard boxes laid scattered across the living room as I walked in to see my parents stuffing the last ones and taping them shut. This was happening.

"I was wondering if I could go see Aspen today," I mumbled. "I don't know when... If I'll get to see her again."

"Of course you can sweetie," my mother said, giving me a sad smile. I didn't have it in me to return it though.

I walked over to a little grey Eagles cap on the couch, Aspen had gotten it for me for my fifth birthday. Beside it sat a teddy bear, which was also given to me by Aspen. The house was filled with these little gifts and I guess now I could use them as momentos. It was like she left a small bit of herself here every year. Her home was identical with all the stuff I got her.

"There are so many of her gifts in this house, I'm afraid they'll need a whole box to themselves," my dad smiled at me, trying to lighten my mood, but all it did was break my heart a little more. Nevertheless, I smiled back at him so he wouldn't worry about me.

That night, as I walked to Aspen's, though it was only a block away, it felt like the longest walk of my life. Like it was the longest distance my legs had ever taken me.

There I stood, in front of her beautiful house, my second home. Every inch of it told an unforgettable story of our many adventures. From the swing set placed on the lawn, to the front steps where we sat playing for God knows how many hours. It made me feel uneasy knowing this might be the last time I'll be seeing this place.

Soon it'll all be gone, and all we'll have left will be faded memories.

***

We were sitting criss-cross on her bed, under her blankets, causing a tent like structure to form.

"What did your mom tell you?" Aspen asked nervously as she held the flashlight in her small hands.

I looked down at my lap as I twiddled my thumbs, "I..." I looked up at her, into her big blue eyes. I didn't want to ruin the night.

My mom had told me that we were going to be leaving tomorrow afternoon and that she had waited so long to tell me because she wanted Aspen and I's last days to be how they always were. Fun and exciting. Not sad and depressed.

"I'll tell you tomorrow. Okay?" I wasn't about to make her cry. I hated it when she cried. It made me sad.

She didn't answer right away. Instead she looked down and examined the flashlight in her hands.

After a few seconds, she responded, "Okay..." she sighed.

I could tell she was still nervous, but I was determined to take both of our minds off of the situation.

I smiled, thinking of what we could do.

"What? What is it?" She asked once she looked up and saw the smile on my face.

"C'mon!" I exclaimed as I grabbed her hand and hopped off the bed, causing the blankets to fall to the ground.

"Where are we going?" She asked as she quickly grabbed one of the blankets and draped it over her shoulders the best she could, considering she was only using one hand.