Author's note: Hey, again! To start off, I'd like to say thank you for all of the positive feedback, and I'll most definitely try to update often. I also tried to make this chapter longer, and I worked hard on it also, so I hope you enjoy.
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7 Years ago, Buffalo, New York, Dana's POV.
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School. Again. Isn't it funny how parents tell us not to talk to strangers and then send us to school? Hot mess. Anyway, I got dressed, brushed my teeth and washed my face, and walked to school. On the way there, I met up with my two best friends, Chelsea and Avery. Chelsea was a pretty brunette with blue eyes, and at the time, was standing at 5'6, which is pretty tall for a 6th grader.
Then, there was Avery. Man, cute ol' Avery. He was 5'2, with his long black hair, dimples, and hazel eyes. He wore glasses, which made his eyes look bigger than they already were. Guys would always make fun of him, calling him "Gay," Which, for the record, isn't necessarily an insult. But Avery took it as one anyway, being the sensitive teddy bear he was. At least Chelsea and I knew he was straight.
Once the school day was over, I walked home with Avery and Chelsea, and once I arrived at my house, the sight in front of me was very.. Interesting.
I saw my parents standing in front of the door, waiting for me, and my 9 year old brother; who's name is Drake, by the way; sitting on the sofa and crying. I questionably stared at my parents, and they both sighed, my mother starting to talk.
"Dana, hun, we have something to tell you, and you may or may not be upset about it."
Now, that made me a bit afraid. But, what came next was even worse.
"I've gotten a new position for working with the IRS; New York has become too difficult to live in. Our mortgage, and-"
I stopped listening after that. I started thinking about how Chelsea and Avery would feel, and how I would feel too, going to a new school. Sure, I guess I'm pretty cool, but I definitely wasn't the best at making new friends, considering I only have two now, in the city I've been living in since I was born.
"What the fuck, guys!?" I said, completely taken aback by their decision.
Both of my parents look at me in shock, and me, being the first one to hear myself, widened my eyes, and was about to say something, before my mother beat me to it.
"You'd better watch your language! God knows I'm not afraid to take out the belt!"
Ah, the belt. Old friend, I'll never forget you and all of the pain you've brought me.
But, forget that.
What my parents said was unacceptable, and I had to tell my friends as soon as possible. I called Avery first, and he added Chelsea to the call.
"Hey, guys, I have to tell you something.." I started. But, I couldn't. I couldn't tell them that I was leaving, and that I'd probably never see them again. Sure, I'd try to keep in touch with them, but they'd eventually forget about me.
So, I didn't tell them. I immediately changed the subject, and talked with them all night, trying to hold back my tears.
A month later, by the time, I was moving the next day. So, I told them. Of course, they were upset. I know that I would be, too. But I didn't want to have to deal with them the next day. Fortunately, I didn't.
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Present day, 9:30 AM, Avery's POV.
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As Dana and I arrived at iHop, I thought about the many questions I still had to ask her. We asked for a table for two, and the waitress lead us to a booth. We both sat down.
"So," I started, "Where did you move, anyway? And why didn't you tell us earlier? And why-" was all I got out, before she cut me off.
"Damn, calm down. One question at a time, Jamie. I moved to Texas. It was getting too expensive for my parents here. And I didn't tell you guys earlier because I didn't want you guys to start complaining. Sure, it was wrong, but you know me. So yeah, I'm sorry about that."
I sighed. She was wrong, but I DID know her. So, I changed the subject.
"How's your brother?"
"Drake? He's great. He joined the school's basketball team," She replied.
Boom.
"Really? How did I never notice you OR Drake?"
"Because you don't pay attention to anyone other than Chelsea. I know that you still like her."
Pfft.
"Nah. I dated her in 9th grade. We lasted about 5 months until she broke it off. I've gotten over her now."
She rolled her eyes, which made me scoff. We both laughed.
"Yeah, okay." She replied.
"So," I started, "How's your love life?"
She face-palmed.
"Oh, please. I still haven't gotten a boyfriend. I mean, the only reason I've had my first kiss was because it was during a Truth or Dare game."