Her first crush

1

"Mom, I dont like this at all", Leona said for the second time. Mrs Walker kept her hands busy with the computer. She understood how Leona felt, but she couldn't help it. The nature of her job didn't allow settling down. Leona had changed her school four times already and she had to change her school again. They we're moving to Texas where Leona would have to stay with Mrs Brown, her mom's best friend.
"You have to", she finally replied, shutting down the computer.
"This is crazy. How can I live with a woman I barely know? "
"Calm down, Lea. She's my childhood friend remember? "
"I........... DON'T............ CARE", Leona shouted, stressing each word.
"You will like it there, Lea"
"I won't and I'm not going anywhere ", Leona responded stubbornly. Mrs Walker sighed. That was one of the demeanors Leona loved to put up anytime she was angry.
"We're leaving next week and nothing is gonna stop us, okay? "
"You know what? I really hate your  job. Do we really have to move on all the time? I don't even have time to make friends. Did we even spend up to six months here? "
"I love my job and I can't even think of quitting. How will we live if I do? "
"That's the mistake you make all the time. For goodness's sake, Mom", Leona flared up. "Now I see that you love your job more".
She stormed away from the living room. Mrs Walker stared after her 15-year old daughter and shook her head. Leona was a kind of girl who flared up at the slightest provocation. She sat down on the couch and switched on the TV set.
Leona pressed the doorbell and Marie answered from within the house. Marie was the only friend Leona ever had. They attended the same school and shared their thoughts. The door opened slightly and Marie stared at her friend whose eyes were welled up with unshed tears.
"Leona, what is...... "
Leona broke into tears and hugged Marie tight. Marie patted her back with her right hand and closed the door with the other to avoid being seen by passers-by. Marie sat her down after she finished sobbing and gave her a roll of tissue paper to blow her nose.
"Thanks", she whispered and Marie nodded.
"So what happened? "Marie asked, looking concerned.
"We're leaving"
"Again? "
"Yeah! Mom said next week"
"Why?"
"The usual excuse"
"God! I'll miss you", she hugged her and wiped a tear from her cheek.
"I'll miss you too".
                 * * *    
The day came for Mrs Walker and her daughter to leave. Leona took one last look at the house before walking to the garden.
"Leona, hurry or we'll miss our flight", Mrs Walker called from behind the wheels.
As Leona turned to go, Marie came running. She was crying. Leona couldn't help but cry also. Mrs Walker looked at the girls and felt sorry. Marie and Leona exchanged bracelets. Leona had the one with Marie's name inscribed on it and Marie had Leona's.
"Thanks for everything, Marie, I'll never forget you. You'll always remain in my heart. Say hello to everyone at school for me."she said in a croaky voice.
Marie simply nodded as tears flowed freely from her eyes. Leona hugged her for the last time and walked to the car.
"Ready to go?", Mrs walker asked and Leona nodded.
As she put the key into ignition, Leona looked back. Marie was still where she was standing. The car moved forward and Leona looked back again. Marie was there, waiting.
Nothing will make me forget you, Leona said to herself and looked away.
"We'll lodge in a hotel today and you'll go to school tomorrow. I'll make the necessary arrangements. Then we'll go to the Brown's."Her mom broke the silence.
Leona's eyes remained closed and she said nothing. Mrs Walker sighed and accelerated.
    At the airport, Leona still looked sober after their luggage had been checked. She got a seat next to her mom in the plane and she was deep in thought. The last thing she heard was fasten your seatbelts, we're about to take off.
That wasn't the first time she was traveling in a plane, but tension gripped her. She grabbed the arm of her chair and held it firmly. She looked down from the window, the people below became smaller. They were leaving. Leona closed her eyes again as the tears threatened to fall.