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PROLOGUE. imessage and narrative
before: edwardsville, illinois
momma
momma Did you tell her? We're leaving in the middle of June
Freya no... Freya i don't want to tell my only friend that i'm moving and we won't get to ever see each other
momma Honey, you have more friends than just her
Freya yeah, her brother and sister.
momma I know you don't want to momma But she needs to know
Freya fine Freya i gotta go, teacher is walking around
I slip my phone into my back pocket, hoping our teacher, Mrs. Oliver, didn't see. I'd gotten my phone taken many times in her class and it's the last day of school, I really don't need that. She doesn't like me very much, but she does like my best friend, Kate Martin, so that helps in some situations.
Kate is sitting in front of me right now, working on an assignment that won't even be graded. The teacher just wanted us doing something because "we're still learning on the last day." I hadn't learned a damn thing through the entire Geography class.
It's our last class period too, which means everyone is antsy to leave. Thinking about what my mom texted me, I tap Kate on the shoulder and she turns to me, acting like she's helping me on a question, "What's up, Reya?" she asks.
"I need to talk to you after school," I tell her, picking at my nail polish.
She nods, furrowing her brows, "Is everything okay?" she asks and I nod.
Kate turns back around in her seat, leaving me to contemplate what I was going to say. I look down at the paper in front of me, barely even touched.
After what feels like forever, the bell rings and we all have to turn in our assignments. Mine was not done, not a single question answered actually. Even if she was to put it in as a grade, it wouldn't change my current grade much.
Kate is waiting for me outside of the classroom and we make our way outside in silence, not needing to grab anything from lockers, "What's up?"
I let a sigh escape my lips. I should have told her when I found out a month ago, "Um," I start, biting the inside of my cheek, "I'm moving."
"You're moving?" Kate asks, stopping in her tracks which makes me stop walking, "Where to?"
I wet my lips, not wanting to talk about this, "Dad got a directing job in Los Angeles, we're leaving in the middle of June."
I stare at my feet, waiting for her to respond, "Well, we still have a little bit, right?" she asks and I nod. We have just under a month to spend together until my family and I pack up and leave, "Can you look at me?"
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier," I say, finally looking up at her. She smiles which makes me smile.
Kate grabs my hand, my stomach turning to knots at her touch. Why was that? She pulls me into an embrace, "It's okay. We'll make the best of it," she says and I nod, hugging her back.
We start to walk again, soon enough being joined by my older brother, Caspian. The three of us have to stop by the middle school to get my little brother, Elias. We all normally walked home together since we all lived on the same street and everything, it was nice.
kate june 18th
reya hey, we made it to LA reya miss u :)
june 20th
reya heyyy just wanted to check in :) reya what's up?
june 30th
reya i miss you
july 5th
reya what is going on??
july 11th
reya you're just never gonna talk to me again huh?
august 1st
reya hope your season goes well this year, i miss you
