Notice Me

Prologue

The little boy helped his friend pack away her stuff. Together, they sorted through her stationary and books, and all other belongings that had made its home in her desk and school locker. They threw away whatever was not needed and packed the things she wished to keep in plastic bags and in her school bag. She had a lot of stuff, and even with the extra helping hands, it still took quite a while to sort it all out.

Soon, the bell had rung for the day of the school day, but the boy and his friend hadn't finished yet. Both of them had a lot on their minds and wanted to share most of it, but neither of them said anything and worked in silence, disturbed only by the crackle of the plastic bags and the occasional thump of an item that had been put down too carelessly.

When they finally finished packing up, the little boy went to collect his belongings. He then returned and helped the little girl carry her things out of the classroom. They say together on a bench and waited for their mothers to come fetch them.

The little boy looked at his best friend. She looked ahead and absentmindedly kicked the bench leg. She didn't look worried or scared. Her expression was barely readable. The little boy couldn't understand how she was so calm, while he was feeling a little emotional and worried. Worried in case he never saw her again.

"Are you scared?" He asked her.

She looked sideways at him. "Why would I be? It's an adventure and I'm always up for adventures," she said.

"But you're not even a little scared?"

The little girl shook her head. "It'll be fun," she said, nodding convincingly. Her friend wasn't quite sure.

They sat in silence once again. The boy longed to just say what was on his mind, but something held him back. The girl didn't notice his worry. She smiled to herself, thinking about the future. About making new friends. About her new house and how she'll make sure she gets the best room and not her sister.

A little while after, their mothers came into view. They waved when they caught sight of their children and made their way towards their bench. The girl's mother gathered up as much or her child's belongings as she could and moved towards the exit, her child following suit. The boy's mother greeted her son with a warm smile and they followed their friends to their cars.

After all of the little girl's things were put inside the boot, her mother turned to her friend. Her lip trembled and the boy's was sniffing a lot. They embraced, murmuring tearful reminisces and goodbyes.

The little girl and the little boy stood together, watching their mothers say their goodbyes. The little girl turned to the boy. "I'll miss you," she said and wrapped her short, little arms around his neck. The boy hugged her back, savoring his last moment with his best friend.

Suddenly, he was hit was a sharp pang of sorrow. He didn't want her to leave. He wanted her to stay. Needed her to stay. He was about to tell her so, but was interrupted by her mother.

"It's time to go now," she said, her voice hoarse from crying.

The girl stepped back and smiled sweetly at her friend. "I'm gonna miss you," she told  him. The boy swallowed, emotions threatening to spill, and nodded. He couldn't speak, or else his dam of sorrow will overflow and all would rush out. The girl hesitated a moment, and something in her eyes changed. Then, in a split second it was gone.

The girl turned and climbed into the car. The engine roared to the life and she waved at him through the window. He waved back, and he and his mother stood and watched as they drove away to their new life that excluded them. They watched the headlights fade away into nothing and just like that...

They were gone.