Alternative Ending

Chapter Eight

The bird's soft chirping wake henry up. It's already morning, the first thing he sees is a softly sleeping Charlotte. They must have fallen asleep somewhere in between the talking, laughing and crying. Their fingers are intertwined, must have also happened during the course of the night.

The sun's light beaming through his window makes him feel a sudden pang of sadness. He had hoped to make the most of the night with Charlotte, not sleep a wink, watch their favourite studio ghibli movies, prolong her stay in swellview somehow but its morning now, too late for all that. she's leaving in a couple of hours.

Mere hours, the thought makes him anxious, something settles at the pit of his stomach. Something desperate and hungry. He thought he would be able to handle it when the time came, her leaving that it is. He thought the month and night before were enough, that all the rekindling and reviving of their friendship was enough but he thinks it made things worse cause its the day of and he feels like he's going to puke, his knees feel so weak from the thought of her leaving. Why is he feeling this way? Is this normal? This fear of loss so palpable that its actually making him feel physically sick? A side effect of friends leaving perhaps? None of his friends has ever left before maybe that's why he feels this way.......Whatever it is, it feels strange.

He untangles his fingers from hers and let's her continue sleeping. Snoring softly.

How can she sleep so soundly knowing that she's leaving swellview and him forever?

Henry: what am I going to do? What am I going to do

The solid thing at the bottom of his stomach is not only desperate but demanding as well, he gets more and more anxious as he paces around his room.

He should do something, he has to do something, he feels it so strongly, everything in him is crying for him to do something, but what? What?

And then it hits him. He rushes over to his closet and begins packing his clothes frantically into a suitcase. He does so quickly, not caring for silence, the loud noise of continuous dropping and picking up of items wakes Charlotte.

She's surprised to see her best friend nervously moving about in his room, the realization of what he's doing drives away the drowsiness that was still fighting her.

Charlotte: what are you doing henry?

She asks him quietly

Henry: I..i'm.......I'm coming with you

Charlotte: hen......

Henry: should I pack jackets? Is it warm or cold in dystopia?

Charlotte: henry....

Henry: you know what, I'll pack both better to be safe than sorry...

Charlotte: henry...STOP

Henry: you need me there.......its dangerous.....i can...i can...protec.....

Charlotte: we've had this conversation already henry.....

Henry: ...what am I suppose to do here....without you......and jasper....even piper....I just....I just can't stay....

Charlotte: Henry...you can't come with me....

Henry: I'm not staying here char.....I'm not....

Charlotte: what about school....

Henry: s..school doesnt matter....I'll get a job and....

Charlotte: but you made a promise to your parents.....

Henry: I.....

He cuts his sentence short when he remembers the promise he made to his parents. To finish school, that's all. They were so understanding of him being kid danger, so proud and happy for him. He can't just....disappoint them again....but he also......