Countdown

Coded

No way, I thought with amazement, I didn't think those came out till next summer. The article I was reading was from last year. Shit! I wanted to work over winter to get the money, I want to know who my soulmate is. Especially if it's someone here, I don't want to leave. My thoughts started to wander when I suddenly hear my step-mom downstairs.

"Celeste? Sweetie, you need to be heading to school. You need to say goodbye to all your friends and make sure you have the.."

"I KNOW!" I yell back interrupting her.

I sigh and slip on my flannel and half button it and let it hang down to my knees. It's too big for me, which is understandable since it's my dad's. I run to the bathroom and glide the hairbrush through my ginger hair everyone has swooned over since I moved here in sixth grade. I can't believe I'm leaving a year before I graduate with these doofuses. I stumble out my door before stopping myself and grabbing my leather bracelet I got from my ex. I button it as I slide down the banister and land by the front door. "I'm out!" I say before the door slams behind me.

I was told yesterday that we were moving. Today's August 14 and I'm leaving. Why couldn't we leave during the summer when everyone had forgotten everything about me except my hair, of course. I should just dye it something normal, like brown. I'd look good as a brunette right? I think as I look in my rearview mirror second checking everything before I go out on my bumpy route to school for the last time.

I pull into my spot next to Kayla. Damn am I gonna miss her is the only thought in my head as she knocks on my window. "Hey there Pumpkin-Spice, you ready for that test in third?" she asks.

"Yeah. Hey get in, there's something I need to tell you. I want you to be the first to know." I mutter shyly

"Don't tell me you're gonna have mini lattes running around. Haha get it? Pumpkin spice, the latte, pregnant, no? Alright, well seriously, what's up?"

"Well, I'll just say it. I'm moving. Next week. Across the country. I was told last night. I'm sorry. I would have told you last night but..," I pause and slump forward, my head hitting the steering wheel, "I didn't know how to. I'm sorry."

"Sweetie, you're acting like we're breaking up. You got my number, just text me, we can skype and call whenever you need. I mean it won't be that big a deal."

"I'm leaving everything I've known for 6 years, it will be a big. I'll miss you and Jo and Stella and.... Yeah. I just wanted to tell you before the weekend gets underway." I fling the door open and jump out and so does Kayla. She walks around and wraps her arms around me. "You won't lose me, sweetie. I'm your best friend, aren't I?" She says as she pulls me to the open doorways for the last entrance I'd make into that school.

The gust of hot air slammed into my skin and damn did it feel good. I could smell the B.O. of the jocks from all the way across school. After being stuck her after the football fucks get done making the school wreak, that smell is not going to be missed. The bright orange lockers are damn near blinding with the florescent lights gleaming off of them, but even that would be missed. It was barely 7 in the morning and the sun was already at full radiance. Locker 687, Kayla's locker, combo 27-4-13, with her books leaned slightly to the left and filled to the brim with love notes from her admirers. Oh if they only knew, she doesn't swing either way. Is it sad I know more about this little brunette than myself?

Her locker flies open and a box from someone named Ken falls and lands on my foot with a thud. I pick it up and shake it in her face, "Looks like someone's got a little present. Let's see what it is."

She's jumping over my shoulder trying to grab her "gift" out of my hands. I undo the ribbon around it and pop open the box. There's a small necklace in there. It has two halves of a picture of our favorite classic animated movie from Disney, Big Hero 6. One half, the one I grab, has Baymax, the other half which I leave to her, has Hero. "Awww, little Kenny thought about me too." I look at her and elbow her playfully. "I know he probably got it as a way to ask you out but imma steal it."