Forgotten

~1~

Gabbie's P.O.V
I dug my nails into the steering wheel as I drove to school. A truck just cut me off and I tried to change lanes so I can turn into the parking lot. Another car sped past me and we almost collided. I slammed my hand into the steering wheel, causing the horn to go off. I watched as they gave my the middle finger as they past. I made the same motion to them while shouting, "Yeah, f*ck you too! Now I have to go around again!" They honked their horn back at me as I made the u-turn. I pulled into the parking lot and saw my group of friends in our usual spot.

It was our last day of junior year and I was so excited to be done for the summer. I slammed my car door shut, swung my backpack over my shoulder, and met up with my friends. We started talking and catching up when I got a text from one of my childhood friends, Liza.

Liza: hey, i just got transferred. i'm going to ur school next year
Gabbie: OMG that's fun
Liza: yea, my parents are just arguing. my mom's mad that we have to move again, while my dad said the offer was too good to resist
Gabbie: i'm sry about your parents but when are you moving?
Liza: we're actually here rn
Gabbie: fun! i can introduce you to all of my friends if u want
Liza: that'd be great
Gabbie: cool, i'm having a party tonight and i would love for u to come. i can send you the address
Liza: yea, that'd be great

I started talking with my friends again when the bell rang. I watched as all of the kids filled into the school. I sighed as I realized the day was starting.

We were at lunch talking about the party when I decided to scroll through my phone. I was looking at pictures of me and Liza together when we were around 7 or 8. I couldn't believe it's been that long. I stopped at one that looked oddly familiar. I reached for my backpack and pulled out a picture album. Most of the pictures were crumpled and faded but it was one of the most precious things I had.

One picture was me and Liza on the day before she moved. We were both holding bags. Both of our eyes were red and our faces were stained with tears but that didn't make the day any less happy.

I flipped through the album when I stopped at a picture. It was a picture of us hugging right before she moved. I looked at the moving truck in the background and noticed the tears running down my face. My eye caught the charm bracelet in the photo. The day before Liza moved, our parents gave us charm bracelets. Each charm holds a special memory we shared between the two of us.

I flipped to another picture. It was a picture of me and Liza both in my mom's car. We were holding sodas and cotton candy. I remembered that day like it was yesterday. It was the last time Liza visited. We went to the fair to celebrate my birthday. I flipped the page to see another picture. The picture was taken on the same day. We were on the ferris wheel. We took my mom's phone before we went on the ride and took a buttload of selfies. I laughed at the memory before flipping to the last page.

I saw one of the last photos we took together. We were at her birthday. Our arms were around each other and we had frosting all over our faces. It was a surprise for both of us. There was another one next to it. The other one was us when we found out Liza was moving again. It was too far and too much for us to do the yearly visits so we had to say a goodbye and we didn't know for how long. We were both sitting on the floor crying. We were holding the other in our arms and my head was on Liza's shoulder. Liza's head was on my head and even though I was taller, we made it work.

I noticed a photo fall out and onto the floor. I picked it up. It was a torn photo. We split it in half. I had the half with Liza and she had the other half. We were on the beach at sunset; each holding up half a heart with our hands. I put the photo back in the album and cried. I threw the album back into my bag and ran. I found a corner where no one would find me and cried.

I was there for a few minutes when I heard someone coming around the corner. I quickly wiped the tears and stood up. "Hey, it's me", I heard David say. I ran into his arms and cried on his shoulder.

"It's been almost 7 years David", I whispered.

"I know, I know", he comforted me. We walked over to the corner I was sitting in and I laid my head on his shoulder.

"She's coming to the party tonight", I mumbled to David. He nodded and I cuddled closer. We heard the bell ring and I felt David start to get up. "I don't wanna go yet", I mumbled.

He nodded and sat back down. "We can miss 5th", he chuckled and I nodded.

"Do you think she's still like me?", I asked him looking up and studying his face.

He looked into my eyes, "Who wouldn't?"

We sat in silence until we heard the bell ring again. I started to get up and grabbed my stuff and David did the same. The rest of the day was a blur. I remember bits and pieces but nothing much. I remember grabbing my french horn out after school, and driving home, and picking up my little sister. I remember dipping my brush in red paint during art and raising my hand in history.