The Move

I met up with Emily Grace in the hallway next to our lockers. Luckily we are right next to each other. She can see that I’m in a bad mood and doesn’t ask questions. We both grab our books for English, our first class of the day. We both have Mr. Goldsky, also Emily Graces’ dad. She doesn’t tell anyone though, because she hates the fact that her dad is also her teacher. Mr. Goldsky has brown hair and the deepest brown eyes. Unlike Emily Grace, she gets all of her traits from her mother. Emily Grace's mom, Sasha, passed away when she was 7. Emily Grace doesn’t talk about her.

We hear the bell ring for our first period, so we start our way to class. We both sit in the front of the room. After everyone piles into the classroom, our teacher comes in saying, “Good Morning class, how is everyone today?”

No one answers him and so we get on with the lesson for the day. We read a few chapters from Love and Friendship by Jane Austen. He assigns a two-page essay due at the end of the week. Great! Just my luck, an essay to fill my time right before I am about to leave.

This reminds me I need to talk to Emily Grace about this. I’m going to miss her so much! Ugh, why does my mom have to take this job? However, a part of me knew that this move was going to be interesting. I didn’t want to have to pack all my stuff up. Maybe Emily Grace can help me pack up everything. I decide to talk to her about it at lunch.

“RRRIIIINNNNNGGGGG!!!” the bell goes off for the second time today. Now for my second class period. I pack up my stuff and head to the library. Hiding in a corner I read my personal favorite book, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before P.S. I Still Love You, by Jenny Han. Lost in the world within my book I don’t pay attention to the passing time. So when the bell rings it scares me, causing me to jump and drop my book.

I pick up my stuff and head to Science, which I hate doing. I sit in the front of the classroom and wait for the teacher Mrs. Ringer. An old woman with her gray and white hair always up in a tight bun at the back of her head. Her clothes look like she hasn't bought a new wardrobe since the 1950s. Her voice is gentle and sweet, but get on her bad side and you will see how mean she can be. Today we are learning about how to dissect a frog. YUCK!!

"I don't understand how this is crucial to our development." My lab partner Jane says. The tone of disgust clear in her voice as she lifts the toe of the frog. Letting it fall with a dramatic thump.

"I know right." I agree, pulling on my latex-free gloves.

Jane grabs her scalpel while I pull my book out and turn to page 147. A map of the frog covers one page and instructions on the other.

“So you start at the neck and…” I instruct before being interrupted by Brad Puckerstein. He and his boy band walk up laughing, his friends pushing him from behind towards me.

Playing a bashful act Brad says, “So, hey, I was wondering if your friend Emily Grace single?”

“Why do you want to know?” I ask.

“Hey, can you guys do this later? We’re in the middle of something here.” Jane snaps at us, her scalpel facing me and Brad.

Brad mockingly raises his hands and his friends start laughing like idiots behind him.

“Calm down crazy lady. I was just asking her a question.” He laughs, backing away and heading out of the room with her group.

The rest of the day flies by and soon I am sitting in the cafeteria waiting for Emily Grace to arrive. I needed to tell her about the move and get out how freaked out I was by the whole idea. Soon I see her walking through the doors hand in hand with...Brad Puckerstein. My jaw drops at this recent development. When did this happen? How could she not tell me?

They get their food before walking over to my table. Giggling all the way Emily Grace takes the seat next to mine while Brad sits across from her. He seems a bit disgruntled that she did not sit next to him.

“What’s this?” I ask, turning to Emily Grace. I pull my hand up to cover my face as I mouth to her with wide eyes, “Oh My God!”

Playfully she rolls her eyes and grins at Brad, taking his hand she answers, “He asked me out in Calculus, We’re going to prom together.”

“Oh! Ok!” I reply awkwardly, quickly changing the subject, “So, I have some insane news!”

Emily Grace gives me her full attention while Brad picks at his food. In a cheery voice, she says, “Spill.”

My voice catches at first, I didn’t realize this was going to be so hard. Clearing my throat I say, “My mom accepted a job in Oregon...we’re moving in two weeks.”

Tears well up in her eyes and her voice becoming high-pitched when she says, “What are you even saying right now? How long have you known? Why didn’t you tell me when you found out?”

“They just dropped the news on us this morning out of nowhere?” I exclaimed.

Emily Grace throws her arms around me, “No! You can’t leave me! I’m not letting you go.”

I start crying as the pain in my chest becomes overwhelming. All my life all I ever had was my brother. When I started school I was alone, but Emily Grace took me in and has been the truest friend since. How would I ever meet anyone like her?

“Girls…” Brad mutters, throwing a carrot down on his salad.

“Shut up! They’re taking my girl away” Emily Grace exclaims, throwing a straw wrapper playfully at him. Turning back to me, she declares, “We have to spend every night together until you leave. Sleepovers at each other’s house?”

“That sounds fantastic!” I respond, a smile sweeping over my face.

“Babe!” Brad argues.

“What?” She asks, clueless.

The bell rings for the end of lunch and the students disperse. We collect our things and they start to walk off hand in hand once more. Emily Grace turns her head back to me quickly saying, “I’ll meet you tonight at your house!”

“Ok, I’ll see you tonight.” I have to shout back because Brad is basically pulling Emily Grace out of the cafeteria.