This is War

Chapter 37

Chapter 37 - Natalie's P.O.V 

I'm not sure I've ever felt this gloomy. Yes, I've been sadder, like when Gram died, but I just felt so heavy. Maybe it was the filled-to-the-brim boxes that I had to help carry around the house, or the sinking feeling in my stomach as I continued the lasts with this house, this home. Zipping up the bag that held my dress from the dance, I smiled. 

Sure, it hadn't gone perfectly or really anything like I expected, but it was good, believe it or not. After the unfortunate run-in with Duke, Noah had taken me back to his house where we ended up playing video games for hours on end and where, I love to say it, I kicked his ass. 

But today wasn't good like yesterday or the day before. Today was the day I have to leave everything and everyone behind. 

What bullshit. 

"Natalie, come on, we have to leave for the airport in two hours!" Mom called out, her voice breathy as she ran past my room with two boxes in her arms. 

Rolling my eyes, I sat on the ground of my room-- my barren, empty, soulless room that was now short an occupant. 

I wondered who would take my place and inhabit it. I wondered if it would be a boy or a girl, young, old or in the middle, whether they were normal or strange, good or bad. But I suppose it didn't really matter; I wouldn't be here. 

I'll be in f*cking Minnesota. 

Carrying the last box downstairs, I tripped on the last step and squealed as I stumbled forward. I crashed on the ground, but thankfully Nate caught the box-- they were all of my picture frames of my friends and I, of my life here. All seventeen years of it. 

"Thanks," I mumbled, taking the box from him and walking it out to the moving truck. I heard him sigh and follow me, but didn't acknowledge him. 

When I spun away from the truck, he grabbed me by the shoulders and held me in place, "Listen, Nat. I know that this, right now, moving away from your life in the middle of your senior year isn't exactly going to be easy, but mom and dad need this and they need us. We have to be there for them, it's our job as their kids." 

"Well then our job sucks," I spat. 

"I agree, it sucks ass," He nodded and I cracked a smile, "But you can't call in a sick day just because your favorite show is having an all-day-marathon." 

Slowly, I nodded, "You're right." 

He smiled, "Okay, now go finish packing." 

~

The ride to the airport was dead silent, my parents in the front giving each other semi-concerned semi-relieved glances while Nate sat in the back with me, staring out the window. I just glared at the back of the dad's seat; it was his job relocation that forced us to move. 

We got to the airport an hour earlier than necessary, so after passing through security, we sat in the chairs by our gate without speaking. 

Because today we were morning the death of our life here. 

I didn't even really get to say a proper goodbye to everyone. I knew that if I had, it would've been too hard to leave, to let go of them all. But the worst part was that I couldn't get my mind off of Noah, the guy who I used to hate, who used to ruin my life, the guy I was starting to like, and possibly more than just a friendly way. I really liked him, and now I'm moving away. Just my luck, I guess.