Enemies with Benefits [COMPLETE]

TWENTY

Sara's POV

"I'm moving to New York", I sighed rubbing my temples. The steam from my cappuccino billowed towards the glass ceiling of my favourite breakfast restaurant.

"This was your big news? We know Sara, we're all moving away for college", Andrea giggled nudging me slightly,

"No, that's not what I meant. I saw Maria and Richard yesterday- they bought me an apartment", I bit my bottom lip as the girls glared at me confusedly,

"That's good isn't it babe? I mean You'll still be coming back to Ohio for Christmas and summer- right?", Emily tilted her head slightly taking a sip of her hot chocolate,

"They're moving to California in September, I'll have nowhere to go. They say that I can visit them any time- but I never hear from them now so I definitely won't when we're on different sides of the fucking country", I glanced at my lap shyly fiddling with the rings on my fingers,

"Jesus christ Sara", Emily sighed shaking her head as Eva threw her arms around me,

"They can't do that- they can't just abandon you", Andrea seethed slamming her cup onto the table,

"I knew it was coming guys. A tiny part of me just hoped it wouldn't, I was hoping they'd welcome me back every-so-often with open arms. They never intended to adopt me, I knew that, I'm just so goddamn disappointed", Tears filled my eyes as my voice broke. Eva held me tightly, stroking the back of my head tenderly,

Reaching for my hand, Emily squeezed, "My parents adore you Sara, we will be more than happy to have you for thanks giving, Christmas or just whenever you want to come back for a few days. I'll only be 10 minutes away from you in New York, so you won't be able to get rid of me! You're not a lone", she beamed in my direction,

"Absolutely, and me and Luis are getting our own place where there will be a spare bedroom so you're always welcome with us as well", Andrea continued pushing a flapjack toward me,

"We've all got your back Sar, we're only a phone call away forever and always", Eva held my face in between her hands. 

Boyfriends and Girlfriends are great, but I think that friendships are special in a different kind of way. With true friends, you can be yourself entirely- there's no persona that you need to build, only unconditional love and support. 

"You are so loved Sara", Eva kissed my cheek before I turned my head to the others who were nodding in agreement. 

I was safe.

•••

Myself and Jacob hadn't spoken in weeks. I'd spent my time mainly in library's, and when not I was at home with my nose stuffed into a textbook. Henceforth, I was missing out on a scorching summer outside with my friends.  Exam-time was stressful for everyone, but more so when our college outcomes depended on these results- I needed this scholarship. Everyone was feeling the pressure, especially Eva who'd been accepted into Yale for cognitive science- every time someone even mentioned exams she'd burst into tears. 

Jack was also dedicated to his studies, we'd revised together a few times but that was all I'd heard from him. There wasn't much going on in school to be honest- except for Jacob's perfectly romantic girlfriend proposal to Maddy. She wouldn't shut up about it- apparently, he took her Hocking Hills state park and asked her next to the waterfall.

As much as I slate them, they looked so loved up- every time I walked past them in the hallways they'd either be kissing and holding hands, or she'd be giggling at something he'd whispered into her ear which made my stomach churn and my palms sweaty. I wasn't bothered though, we were all going to college soon- Jacob was going to Columbia and she was going to Indiana Tech, there's no way they'd last.