Right from the Start (bwwm) - 𝙲𝙾𝙼𝙿𝙻𝙴𝚃𝙴

04: plans won't change

March

"Dahlia! Would you just listen for a second?!"

"What's the point, Dad?! It's happening, okay, and there's nothing either of us can say to change it. It's fine, alright? I get it."

And with that, sixteen-year-old Dahlia Winters raced out of the front door, not caring that the courtyard in her apartment complex was currently scattered with neighbors, who all seemed to turn their heads when they heard her screen door slam shut.

She avoided their gawks and stares as she sprinted across the complex, wiping her face with the worn sleeves on the sweatshirt she'd taken from Jordan a little more than two years ago.

She ran up a set of stairs and down a long hallway, not stopping until she stood in front of the familiar door marked '7B'.

After a deep breath, she knocked softly, sucking her lip between her teeth as a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach set in while she waited for Jordan.

Jordan Prescott wasn't just her best friend and neighbor... he'd been so much more than that for the past thirteen years and now Dahlia was trying to figure out how she'd survive without him-- her other half.

"Doll? What's wrong?"

All she could do was shake her head before he pulled her in, letting her cry for as long as she needed. As she cried, he promised he'd make whoever caused his Doll any pain would suffer.

After ushering her into the apartment, he led her to his bedroom and sat her on the bed.

Knowing his mom wouldn't be home for a few hours and after seeing what state Dahlia was in, he didn't even move to lock his door.

She needed him, but not like that.

He just crouched down and grabbed her hands, gently coaxing her to tell him what had happened.

"My dad... he- he got the job."

His thick, dark eyebrows furrowed in confusion as the meaning behind her words slowly began to take a hold of him.

"The job in Orlando?"

Jordan wasn't really asking-- he already knew. There was only one out of state job Dahlia's father was even considering after the company he was working for went under.

The job in Florida came with a higher paid salary, more flexible hours, and other benefits for both Dahlia and her father.

But the job in Orlando put Dahlia over 1,800 miles away.

As she nodded, Jordan instantly knew that the two of them were on borrowed time and as he felt his own tears hit his wrist, the looming question he had was finally asked.

"When do you guys leave?"

He had to clear his throat to keep his voice from cracking, but she still heard it and she sniffled, not wanting to answer his question.

"Two days..."

It was barely a whisper that came off her lips, but soon her voice grew stronger.

"I've had everything set exactly how it is my entire life, and he decides to just rip me away from it all halfway through my Junior year?! I hate him!"

Jordan sighed and tilted his head, feeling his girlfriend's pain, but ultimately knowing that this would be the best thing for her, in the long run.

"Doll, come on. We both know you don't hate him. And we also know that this move is a good thing."

It took everything for Jordan to spew that sentence, but right after he did, the look on Dahlia's face made him want to swallow those words.

"So-- wow... you actually... you want me to go?"

She pulled her hands out of his grasp and tried scooting away from him, further back on the bed, but was stopped when he leaned over her and gripped her hips. He held her in place for a moment before he placed his hands on either side of her head on the bed to brace himself.

"Dahlia, you know I don't want you going anywhere."

Dahlia just shook her head, not trying to listen to what Jordan was saying. She turned her head and looked away from him as more tears fell.

"All of our plans are ruined and it's like you don't even care."

Jordan shook his head and pulled Dahlia up to sit, facing him. She ignored what he was doing as her rambling continued.

"Our Senior year... homecoming, prom, the Senior trip, then college. Everything's ruined."

Jordan turned to look at Dahlia as if the words coming out of her mouth were a foreign concept, and they were-- at least for him.

"Who said our plans were ruined, huh? I mean---sure, the next year and a half might be sort of a hiccup for us, but that doesn't mean that we're not gonna not end up together. You and me at USC, right?"

He stuck out his pinky and when she looked down at it, a small smile broke out on her face. Dahlia looped her pinky with his and they each kissed their thumbs before smashing them together.

"You and me."

✨

After calming Dahlia down and reassuring her that everything would be alright, Jordan laid back on his bed and together the two watched a movie, knowing she'd have to go back home soon to begin packing.

He didn't want to say it out loud, but Jordan hated everything about Dahlia having to leave, so for the next two days he did everything and anything he could with her to distract them from their inevitable separation.

✨

The rest of Junior year without Dahlia absolutely sucked for Jordan.

A few girls tried flirting with him, but as soon as it started, Jordan shut all of that down, wearing his 'Aye, She's Mine' sweatshirt for two weeks straight, even though it was a little snug.

There was never a moment that Jordan wasn't thinking about Dahlia... she was it for him.

So much so, that he convinced his parents to go on a family trip to Disneyworld for his little sister's birthday.

He'd kept his plans a secret from Dahlia, wanting to surprise her.

Even though they spoke on the phone and Facetimed everyday, nothing could compare to the feeling of having his girl in his arms.

🌻

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