Before You Go

(this chapter contains suicide.)  

"I have to tell you something" 

"What is it? You can tell me anything, remember?" Natalie said. Riley's eyes teared up. "My mom signed me up for the student exchange program without me knowing, and I have to go to Italy, I'm so sorry" Natalie was shocked. A whole different country? "Wait... so you're moving away?" She asked, devastated. Riley then explained that she might be gone for a month or two. Both of them cried, holding each other. One or two months wasn't exactly long, but it would still feel like a year. "When do you leave? Natalie asked. "In a month, but don't worry a few other people are coming too." Natalie cried some more. Before getting out of Riley's car, Natalie kissed her, hugged her, and said:

"When you do leave, I'm gonna miss you, so much"

Wiping her tears, she slowly got out of the car and walked away. Riley wiped her tears before hitting the gas petal so she can see.

Natalie went to bed. All that she could think about was her girlfriend leaving for Italy in a month. "Why can't her mother just ask her about the program instead of signing her up herself?" She thought in her head. She couldn't sleep. That moment was stuck in her head, haunting her. She couldn't imagine being miles away across the ocean from each other. Riley was the first non family member to stand up to people who bullied her. She almost got beaten up by a bully but Riley saved her. Natalie was too shy to stand up to anyone, especially she also has low self esteem. It was extremely hard. 

It was morning. Natalie only had slept for two hours. Her lover leaving distracted her from actually going to sleep. Completely exhausted, she decided to skip school today, but of course her mom wouldn't let her. She slowly got up from her bed half awake. Getting ready, she slowly put on a black t-shirt with loose jeans and converse, and then finally grabbing a quick breakfast bar before walking to school. Her school was quite big, but walking up the stairs was tiring. The school was 3 stories and her 2nd period class was on the 3rd floor while her 1st was on the 1st floor. She walked inside the school, squeezing through the hallway of crowded students. Natalie checked her phone to see if she got any notifications, and she did. It was a text from Riley.

Riley: Good morning beautiful, how was your sleep? Also can we talk in the bathroom for a minute once you get to school?

Natalie ran to the bathroom. She knew it was important. Once she walked into the bathroom, Riley was there. "Hey, so you remember what I told you about yesterday right? She asked. "Yea I do, why?" Riley pulled her close.

"Whatever happens when I leave, please be careful. I don't want to come home finding out that the love of my life is dead. I know it's hard, but you also have Reagan right? She can help you, she can also be your safe place. I'm so sorry my mom did this, I honestly didn't know. Please, I don't want you to be mad at me. It's gonna break my heart if you are." 

She wasn't mad or anything. Just sad. 4,363 miles was long, but it could've been more than that. They hugged and left the bathroom together. The first bell rang and they waved goodbye at each other. Riley went to her class, devastated. She didn't want to be apart from Natalie. An hour or two wouldn't be bad, but going a whole different continent? A different country with a different language? She couldn't imagine herself being in that situation. Sure, Italy is a beautiful country with history, but she was mostly worried about Natalie. She walked into her class and everyone stared at her and clapped. Confused, she looked at the teacher. "What's going on?" She asked. "Well, we heard that you're going to Italy for the exchange program, so congrats!" The teacher said proudly. Riley faked her smile and lied. "Oh thank you it was a great opportunity I had to take." She sat in her seat and listened to the teacher talking for the rest of class. Meanwhile, back at Natalie's class, Natalie fell asleep. Reagan was trying to wake her up, but it was useless. Her tapping and other ideas didn't work. She was out cold. 2 hours of sleep definitely wasn't enough. This lasted for the rest of the class period until the bell rang. She suddenly woke up and got her backpack and left. Her friend was right behind her, trying to get her attention. "Hey Natalie!!" She looked back. "Hm?" She said. "Are you ok?" She Reagan asked. Natalie broke down into tears and told her everything. Reagan's eyes widened. She felt bad and hugged her. "Don't worry, I'll be here" "Thank you" They both went to the bathroom to wipe her tears. Riley heard sobs coming out of the bathroom, which the sobs sounded like Natalie. She quickly entered the bathroom and looked at the both of them. They all hugged each other, hoping that everything will be alright once she leaves. Riley was always Natalie's safe space, her escape from reality, and of course, her lover. Reagan  was compassionate to her, but they've only known each other since yesterday.