It Started With Hello

Chapter 9- Memories Part 1 (Three Years Ago.)

Arabella-

I don’t want to leave, I don’t even know if I’m going to come back. I’d just gotten word that my parents cruise ship had gone down. No one was sure why, or even how. No one was found. Matty’s across the ocean in America starting his first year of college abroad. I’m home alone. Now I’m being shipped off to my Uncle Simon. He’s a nice guy, but I hardly know him. Then my cousins, I’d only met Noah once, when we were little. Before Lacy. I’d never even met her. Aunt Kristina died a few years before Lacy was born. Uncle Simon had adopted her when he found out she was left at the hospital as a baby. My family has so many weird issues. My parents are dead. My uncle is famous beyond belief. My two cousins I don’t really even know. My brothers across the Atlantic. And me. I’m stuck.

I sit at the station waiting for my train with my best friend. I don’t want to lose him. He’s so close he’s like family. He was the one that I told when I found out about my parents. He sat with me while I cried. He didn’t say anything to sugar coat it. He sat with me and held me while I cried. I don’t want to leave him. But I don’t have a choice. The train pulls up to the station and I give my bags to the person loading everything.

“You think you can be real with me?” I ask him fiddling with my skirt again

“Yeah, I think I can.” Jake answers confidently. He takes my hands in his, my bags still sitting waiting to be loaded on the train.

“Then answer me this one question. What are we now that I’m leaving?” I ask him.

“Best friend. Until the day we die.” He answers. A sad smile and sorrow-filled eyes meet my own.

“I will never forget you Jake.” I promise him wrapping my arms around his neck and willing myself not to cry.

“And I won’t forget you Arabella.” He assures me wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Do you promise to write?” I ask him pulling back wiping my eyes.

“I will, as long as you write back.” He promises.

“Every time,” I tell him, “I’ll always remember you Jake Greenly.”

“Arabella Kennedy, you are the best friend I’ve ever had.” His eyes moist from the unshed tears.

“You might not be Matty, but you come pretty close.” I tell him, “I’m going to miss you like crazy.”

“Until you come back.” Jake says. If only until could actually happen. It’s the only thing we’ve got to hold onto. Until I come back. Until we see each other again. Until.

“Goodbye Jake Greenly.” I tell him once more.

“Goodbye Arabella Kennedy.” He says

We exchange another heart-felt hug before the train’s whistle blows a final time. He tries his best to make a smile seem happy. I climb on the train and into the first compartment. I pull open the window. The train pulls away from the station. Jake runs alongside the train, keeping pace until it gains speed and he keeps falling behind he finally stops and grows smaller. Waving. I wave back. I knew he’d wait. He’d wait for my train to return to the station. Our friendship would remain. Long distance until we met again.

AN: Trust me when I tell you this, you don't have to tell me how short this is. This is Arabella's first time away from Swizerland. Before everything was settle for her to return to her boarding school and for her uncle to pay tuition for her to continue going there. I hope you guys like it.