Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:51:57 -0400
From: Paisley Bryant <xpb6luvo@gmail.com>
Subject: Teenage Drama 101- Part 1

			     Teenage Drama 101

*Part 1*

	"When you're young, everything feels like it's the end of the
world...but it's just the beginning." -- Unknown.

That's going to be my senior quote, in four years. I only have it written
down on a piece of paper, because if I told people that, most would think,
"Why did a freshman already decide what her senior quote is going to be?
She should be enjoying the freedom and little responsibilities of being a
kid, not thinking about the future!" Well, maybe if they knew me a little
better, they would know that I thought I already knew what my future was.
They would understand why I felt like it was the end of the world and they
would see how I realized it was really just the beginning. More importantly
though, they would smile at how I learned to just be a kid and make the
most out of life. But since they don't know me, they won't understand me.
Anyway, you're still reading this, so I assume you want to know my story. I
know if I tell you, you won't judge me, because my name isn't my story, and
you don't know my story yet. So here goes...

			  ***********************

       "When you're done with your test, raise your hand and I will come to
you desk to get it. Take out other homework or read when you're done. Don't
forget to write the date, September 20th, 2011. Good luck," My history
teacher Mrs. Gold announced. I looked down at my paper, first test of the
year. I wrote my name, Jessie Lussier, and dotted both the I's with hearts
like always. I got started on my test. Fifty minutes passed and the bell
finally rung, I studied my ass off as usual, so I was excepting a B+ or
better. I grabbed my books and as I walked through the halls to get to my
locker I smiled at other kids I didn't know, waved to some acquaintances,
and playfully pushed my friends that were unfortunate enough to cross paths
with me.  After I put my books in my locker I waited until my friends met
me at my locker and we walked to lunch together. There are four of us in
our clan. Katie, Megan, Shauna and me. We looked around the cafeteria to
decide who to sit with; we had different friends at every table. We decided
to just sit alone, as we walked towards an empty table in the back, a girl
I didn't know well said, "Jessie, you and your friends can sit with us if
you want." I smiled, and looked to my friends for approval. We sat down and
all started chatting. That's what I love about this school. Everyone is so
friendly; you're always making a new friend.

			  ***********************

       Last period came and I got bored during computer class, so I asked
to use the bathroom. I didn't really have to go; I usually just roam the
halls until I feel like going back. As I walked down the halls, I smiled
every time I saw a "Happy birthday!" locker. The day before someone has a
birthday, there good friends will stay after school and decorate it for
them. Last week it was Katie's birthday, so Megan and Shauna stayed after
school with me to make it all pretty. We got her favorite color, pink, to
use as the paper covering her locker. We covered the paper in bright pink
and red sparkles and drew pictures of soccer balls, music notes, and ice
cream on it. We also added pictures of her favorite bands and musicians,
and a few pictures of all of us together. We put colorful bows and ribbons
all over the paper and signed our names. There were only a few "birthday
lockers" in the school since it was early in the year, but I knew by the
end of the year almost every locker would be decorated in a unique style.
I decided I would walk through every hallway in the school before going
back to class, which only took about ten minutes, and it was that long
because I walked slowly. A minute after I got back to class the last period
bell rang; I made my way to my locker and gathered my stuff. "You're so
slow!" I heard someone say, I knew that voice, it was Megan. "No! You're
just fast!" I said smiling as I shut my locker. As we walked towards the
exit of the school, I accidently bumped into a girl and her backpack
dropped to the floor, making her books go everywhere. "Oh my god! I'm so
sorry!" I said dropping to the ground to help pick up her books. "It's ok,"
she said smiling, "I'm Casey." "I'm Jessie, maybe I'll see you around." I
said with a smile and continued to walk with Megan. "Ha-ha you're a
dumbass!" "I know I'm a klutz, you don't need to point it out bitch!" I
said playfully pushing her.  When we got outside we saw Katie and Shauna.
Today was Shauna's day, which meant we walked to her house. Every day after
school we would alternate whose house to chill at. We would also go to the
park and meet up with kids from the neighborhood. Behind the park there was
a set of woods that we neighborhood kids named "Happy land". "Happy land"
is where all the teens would go after school to get high. We would all go
there after hanging at the park for an hour, but my friends and I never got
high on school nights, if we ever got caught we would be off our sports
team faster than we could say but. After the boys and even some of the
girls decided they had smoked enough bud for the day, we'd stop at the
local gas station to get munchies, (energy drinks, coffee, chips,
doughnuts, or slushies, you name it). Then we would walk around town
together, the guys always on their bikes. There were always different kids
joining our walk, not that any of us minded. Since our town was so small,
there's a limited choice of who you can pick as friends.

			    ******************

       When we got back to Shauna's house, which was around 4:30, we all
went inside to use the bathroom, then went back outside. I picked up a
basketball and started a game of one on one with Megan. Shauna and Katie
were playing soccer next to us. Today was one of those rare days where the
school decides to be nice and cancel all fall sport practices for the
day. Since we have practices every day after school, they know we need a
break. Megan and I do cross country running in the fall while Katie and
Shauna play soccer.
	"Did you guys know Mandy and Ryan are dating? They're the cutest
couple ever!" Said Katie as she kicked the soccer ball to Shauna.

	"Aw really? I'm voting for them for cutest couple in the yearbook!"
Megan said.

	"No you better vote for me and Alex for cutest couple!" Exclaimed
Shauna.

	"Nah, I'll pass," Megan replied sarcastically.
	Shauna kicked the soccer ball at Megan and it hit hard off her
leg. We all burst out laughing. Megan threw the basketball at Shauna's head
but Shauna ducked just in time.

	"Fine, if that's how you want to play you can bring you own
munchies to Nick's party!"

	"Fine, whatever!" Shauna replied in a sassy tone

	Nick is a senior, the hottest senior in school, according to all
the girls. He or one of his football buddies throws a party every month;
it's his turn this month. He's captain of the football team, wrestling team
and soccer team, pretty cliche right? Well, times haven't changed that
much from the fifties, especially when you live in a town like ours. I
guess you could say were pretty old school, minus the racism. Up here were
basically ninety-nine percent white, but we do have some minorities and
"mutts" as they would call them in other places. In this town though, we
are all the same to each other, I have yet to meet one racist or bigoted
person for the whole fourteen years I've lived here.

	"He is really fine," I said smiling to myself.

	"Damn straight he is, I wouldn't mind being friends with benefits
with him," Katie said winking.

	"I have a good feeling about this year," Megan said twirling the
basketball on her fourth finger.

	"You know what, so do I," I said stepping fast and knocking the
ball off her finger.

	We all laughed as we fought for the ball. Our fight was soon over
when I heard the honking of a horn. I looked up, it was my mom. I grabbed
my backpack from inside Shauna's house, said goodbye to my friends, and
hopped in the car.

			    ******************

	"Hey Mom," I said as I shut the car door and sat down.

	"Hey Hun, how was school?"

	"Great as usual! Had my first test, I know I did good."

	"I'm one hundred percent sure you did good too," She smiled, she
didn't glance over to catch my eye though, like she always does. I knew
something was up.

	"Yeah, so how was your day?" I said moving a strand of my
strawberry blonde hard out of my face.

	"Good and bad. Some of my friends were transferred."

	My mom is a pathologist, and there is always a chance her job could
be switched to a different hospital somewhere in this country.
	"Oh my god! Seriously? Where to?"

	"Some were transferred to Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas,
Georgia, and even California," My mother said sadly.

	"Oh. I'm really sorry, that sucks."

	"I know, and it's so early in the year!  My boss says even more
people are going to get transferred...Aunt Darcy was transferred to Santa
Barbra California."

	I swallowed hard. Darcy has been my Mom's best friend since they
were in high school. She's like part of the family, my sister and I call
her Aunt Darcy. I'm best friends with her daughter Jamie, who goes to a
different high school in the town next to ours. She's like a second
sister. California and here in Massachusetts are literally all the way on
opposite sides of the county. I felt my breathing quicken and my eyes get
heavy. I looked out my window. The houses and trees got blurry as tears
filled my eyes.

	"When are they leaving?" My voice came out in raspy whisper.

	My Mother hesitated for just a few seconds too long, "Next
week...I'm sorry sweetie," She said reaching over and putting her hand on
my knee.

	I forced a look at her; her eyes were fixed on the road. I saw the
sadness in them, and a tear dripping down her right eye. The rest of the
car ride seemed to drag on forever.

			   ********************

	When I got home I wanted to talk to my younger sister Emily, but
then I remembered she wouldn't be home until 5:30 because of soccer
practice. I ran up to my room and shut the door. An hour and a half later I
closed my science textbook and put it into my school bag. I had finished
all my homework. It was six o'clock and I knew it was dinner time. As I
walked down the stairs I heard my Mother call, "Time for dinner girls!" I
sat down at the dinner table and three minutes later my sister showed up,
as usual. Right on time I heard my Dad's car come to a stop in the driveway
and the car door shut. He came in and took off his loafers; my sister and I
walked over and gave him a hug.

	"My girls! I missed you! How was school?"

	Emily chimed in first, "Awesome! I love being in 8th grade! The
little 6th and 7th graders look so scared when we walk through the halls,
were like, total badasses!"

	"Ha-ha alright, alright, tell my about it during dinner," My Dad
said taking off the jacket to his suit and loosening his tie. My sister and
I sat down and started serving ourselves the steak, potatoes, carrots and
broccoli. My Dad walked over to my Mom and kissed her on the cheek, they
both smiled and he made his way to the other end of the table.
	Despite my sour mood, mom's home cooked meals always seemed to turn
my mood a bit.

"How about you Jessie, how was school?" My Dad said while he was cutting
his steak.

"It was ok." I said not looking him in the eyes, I didn't want to cry.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw my mom give him "the look," "the look"
meant not the right time, I'll explain later. He changed the subject.

"Okay so as I was saying Dad," My sister rambled on.

	She boasted about how cool she thought her and her friends were,
and how she ruled the middle school. She got me to smile more than a couple
times, and laugh more than a few. My sister was one of those people who
were just always in a bright and cheery mood; she always seemed to lighten
mine. For right now, everything seemed alright. This is why I love dinner
time with my family; actually scratch that, just any time with my family.

			   ********************

	After Katie, Shauna and Megan said their goodbyes to Jamie and her
parents, they all piled in Katie's Mom's car to wait and give me and Jamie
a few moments alone. Jamie, like my second sister, grew close to all my
other friends, but remained closest to me. Jamie and I stood outside of her
house, under the tree house we made in second grade.

"I promise I'll call every week and email you every month!" I said as I
hugged Jamie tightly.

"And I promise I'll pick up and write back!"

We both laughed as we stayed in our embrace.

"Unless you're too busy on dates with those hot Cali guys."

"I totally plan to stay busy with them."

	We laughed again. That's what I'm going to miss most about my best
friend, her ability to make me laugh in any situation. I saw the big white
moving trucks stop outside of Jamie's house. A moment later, Emily, my
mother and my father walked out of the house, with Darcy and Frank (Jamie's
father) right behind them. They all hugged as they said their goodbyes. I
closed my eyes so tightly, as if it would make all this go away.

"My parents said I could fly down and stay with you all of February
vacation...if you guys want me."

"Well duh! We can hit up all the beautiful beaches and beautiful boys of
course"

I laughed.
 ?I?m so gonna miss you, bitch," She said sniffling.

"I might miss you too, whore. Don't have too much fun in Cali without me."

"No way I'll have any fun, without my best friend," Her voice cracked as
she said best friend.

"Best friends till the end."

"Don't you forget it."

"I won't forget you," I said.

	We started to cry. My breath quickened, like the way it gets as
your trying to talk but your sobbing.

"I love you," She said as she squeezed me tighter.

"I love you too."

She ended our embrace, wiped her eyes, and walked to her car and got
in. Her wavy brown hair blowing in the wind. I walked over to her parents
and hugged them both.

	Her Mom said, "Keep up the good job in school Jess, take care of
your parents and sister for us, we love you."

	Jamie's mom kissed me on the cheek and her Dad patted me on the
shoulder. They got into their car and waved goodbye. I took one last look
at Jamie, she forced a smile and mouthed a 'call me'. As they drove away,
my mom and dad put their arms around me. I watched their car until I
couldn't see it anymore. "Go on, your friends are waiting for you," My mom
said as she hugged me tighter. My face was buried in her black hair, I
could smell the mixture of shampoo and hairspray. We were going out for ice
cream, which would hopefully get our minds off this whole thing. "Love you,
see you later tonight," My dad said as I started to walk towards Katie's
car. Just as I was about to open the door to the van, I turned around and
looked at Jamie's house, "I'll see you soon guys," I whispered.

			   ********************

"Ha-ha seriously!? You lucky bitch! What's his name?" I said to Jamie,
through the phone.

"His names Bryce, he is sooo hot!"

"I wanna see!"

"I'm facebook messaging you his facebook link right now!"

	I clicked on the link and looked at the profile picture. He had
dirty blonde surfer hair with bleach blonde streaks. He was tan and
muscular, with bright blue eyes. He was the definition of a California boy.

"Ow ow! Jamie's got herself a hot one! He's def. a keeper! Where are you
guys going for you date?"

"Oh my god I know right! And a local carnival is coming to the beach, so
he's taking me there. He's a junior too!"

"Damn! For my birthday you should wrap one of those boys up and ship him to
me!"

"Oh I will. Like I said, this school is fifty times bigger than yours!
There are about 5,000 students, and half of them are sexy boys. You can
have your pick when you come down here for February vacation, I'll totally
hook you up!"

"Please do! This is why I love you!" I said jokingly.

She laughed, "But hey, how are things with you and Nick?"

"Couldn't be better! It's our one month anniversary tomorrow, and he has to
have a party at his house since it's also the last football game of the
season, so were celebrating our anniversary and the championship, because
our team is going to win of course."

She giggled, "You're so sure huh? Are you gonna lose your V card to him?"

"I don't know. I mean I guess I want to, but I'm not so sure I'm ready...I
just don't know."

"Don't let him pressure you! I'll fly all the way down there, chop his dick
off, and then kidnap you and bring you back to Cali. So unless you want him
to lose his manhood, don't give in!"

I burst out laughing, "I won't Mom, I promise."

"Good...but I gotta go, its dinner time for me over here, I'll call you
soon, Love you."

"Love you too," I hung up and put my head on my pillow.
       I thought for a while. It had been a little over a month since Jamie
moved, and in that month a lot had happened, for her and me. A week after
Jamie moved, the most popular senior, Nick, started talking to me. A week
after that he asked me out, and that same night we had our first date at
the movies, he asked me to be his girlfriend. I was thrilled, the captain
of the football team, out of all the girls in the school, wanted me! It
made me extremely happy and definitely boosted my ego. Despite my second
sister moving, we were both still happy. She fit right in the whole Cali
scene, just as I knew she would, no matter where she had to move to. Her
being happy and liking the change, made me happy too. I remained a straight
A student, basketball tryouts were last week and I made the team, I had a
new boyfriend on my shoulder, and I was getting a pretty good reputation in
school. It was like things were falling into place. I'm starting to think
people who say high school is hell don't know what they're talking about.

			      ***************

	It was the night of the big championship, and our team won. After
the game the football team piled into the back of Nick's pickup truck, and
I got into the front with Nick. We blasted music as we drove to Nick's
house for the after party, we all sang along with happiness. I swore the
whole town could hear us. I kept stealing glances at Nick, he was head
banging to the music and screaming along, I laughed and couldn't stop
smiling at his goofiness. He looked over at me, his blue eyes glistening
with excitement. I reached over and ran my hand through his sweaty black
hair. I felt so incredibly happy in that moment.

			      ***************

"One, two, three!" I screamed over the blaring music as we all downed our
jello shots.

	Shauna, Katie, Megan and I all filled up our shot glasses again,
this time with straight whiskey, and downed them. I finally started feeling
the affects of the other four shots I took, and I loved it. I mixed myself
a glass of vodka and Coca Cola, then I grabbed Katie's hand and we started
grinding.  The familiar feeling started to take over my body, and I knew I
was drunk. My head was pounding and my body was tingly, I continued dancing
and I felt more bodies against mine. I looked behind me, it was Nick. I
looked around and realized everyone had started a huge grind line; I smiled
and raised my glass in the air as the song Shots by LMFAO started to play.

			   ********************

	Two hours later I started to slowly sober up; at least enough for
my brain to realize my legs were dying from so much dancing. I excused
myself from the group of people I ended up dancing with; I had never seen
them in my life. I made my way up the stairs and through the hallways until
I found Nick's door, I opened it and reached under the bed to grab my
purse. I always leave my things somewhere safe so they don't get lost or
stolen. I took out my phone and texted Nick to come up to his room. I laid
down on the bed and a few minutes later Nick came in and shut the door. My
inhibitions taken away, I smiled and motioned for him to come over.  He
fell down on the bed and kissed me roughly. His hands and mouth went
everywhere on my body, his eyes never opening. He fumbled with his belt as
he tried to undue his pants, after about three minutes of him toying with
it, I decided tonight just wasn't the night. I laughed and gave him one
last kiss on the lips. I grabbed his hand and led him back downstairs. You
know a guy is too wasted when he doesn't even try to convince you to suck
his dick. Nick was just too wasted to do anything.  The rest of the night
consisted of taking more shots, dancing, and watching the wasted kids make
fools out of themselves. The cameras and phones were out to catch every
moment of the crazy championship after party. These parties's were so much
different from the middle school ones, in a good way of course. As I
danced, I felt the body that was in front of me leave, and a new one take
it's spot. I looked up, a girl with long wavy black hair and bright blue
eyes started grinding with me. I realized it was Nicks little sister, Ali,
who was a sophomore. She was just as good looking as him, if not better.
She looked so beautiful, her eyes were sparkling and her lips were calling
my name. Me, being a horny drunk, leaned over and kissed her. I had more
than enough drunk make out sessions with girls at parties, so my alcohol
induced mind thought "go for it"! Because I was drunk, the thought of this
being my boyfriend's sister didn't occur to me. Sometimes I feel like girls
purposely get drunk because they know guys will want them to do that, and
secretly they want to too. Alcohol was the perfect excuse for these
things. As we started to French kiss, I closed my eyes and listened to the
music. I thought to myself, life can't get any better; I love high school,
and her lips are so soft. Those were my last thoughts before everything
went black.

			    *******************

	I felt something like a burning cold wind hit me across the face,
it grew colder and colder and colder, until it was too much and I had to
move. I opened my eyes and jolted up; I saw Katie, Shauna and Megan
standing around me. I touched my face, it was freezing cold water. "Why?" I
said, my voice came out raspy. They burst out laughing.

"We tried everything, you wouldn't wake up! Sorry!" Shauna said, I examined
her face, she looked really tiered.

"Yeah, but my Mom's gonna be here in twenty minutes to pick us all up and
drive us home, so we gotta be ready!" Megan said grabbing my arms and
picking me up to my feet.

	As I looked around, the room was spinning. My head was throbbing
and my body ached. Hangovers are such fucking bitches. I threw my arms
around Shauna and Megan and we started walking towards the upstairs
bathroom. I looked at the clock, it was quarter of three. I remembered that
Nick and Ali had to drive to the airport to meet their parents who were
getting back from a business trip. Nick's house was spotless; no one would
ever suspect there was a huge party the night before. We made it to the
bathroom and Shauna shut the door as I clumsily started taking off my
clothes. I looked at Shauna, Katie and Megan as the undressed. Megan took
out her pony tail and shook her blonde hair, my eyes roamed her body. I
looked over to Katie, she was under the shower, and the water went through
her brown hair and down her tan body.
       "Common Jessie," Shauna said as she grabbed my hands and led me into
the shower. She pushed me under the shower head and I gasped, it was
freezing cold, but it woke me up.
       I grabbed some shampoo and massaged it through my hair. I went under
the shower and rinsed, I put conditioner in and waited my turn. I rinsed
the conditioner and held out my hand for the body wash; Shauna had used the
last of it. "Here, have some of mine," She said taking her hands and
rubbing them on my arms and stomach, I sighed and closed my eyes. I heard
her giggle. I opened my eyes and saw her smiling; I was too hung-over to
feel embarrassed and blush, so I gave a sheepish smile and soaped myself
down. I looked at my friends and realized how hot they really were, weird
how I never thought of them like that before.

			       ************

       We were ready just in time, we heard our ride pull up and we went
outside and piled into Megan's Mom's car.

	"Hey girls, how was the sleepover at Ali's?" Megan's mom asked.

	"Fun," Megan replied, smiling to us.

	"We ate tons of junk food," Katie chimed in.

	"We danced...a lot," Shauna said as we all tried to contain our
giggles.

	Megan hit Shauna and mouthed a 'shut up', we all burst out
laughing.

"What's so funny girls?"

"Oh nothing," Megan said.

"Teenagers," Megan's mom said shaking her head with a smile.

	 I remembered, we all told our parents we were sleeping at Ali's
house. They know she has an older brother, but we left out details. Like
how her house is where the party was going to be, and that I was dating
Nick, and that we barley even knew Ali. My house was first, "Thanks for the
ride, see you guys Monday!" I said as I shut the door. I walked to my front
door and went inside. "I'm home," I shouted. It was Saturday and both my
parents have the weekends off, they could be out shopping, driving Emily
somewhere, who knows. I heard footsteps coming from upstairs, my sister
appeared.

"Hey, Mom and Dad went to the store a while ago they'll be back in like ten
minutes," She was out of breath and her black hair was messy.

"Why are you so out of breath?"

"Dancing upstairs in my room."

	Just as she said that I heard a crash, laughter, and screams.

"Your cheerleading friends are over huh."

"Yep! Your high school won your championship game, our middle school won
our championship too!"

 "Nice, congrats. Your still celebrating?"

 "Yep! We aren't partied out!"

"Hey, be safe whatever party you go to. I was in middle school not too long
ago, I know how things are."

"Yeah, well we don't go to the ones with alcohol, so no worries."

"Good, I didn't think you did, because I know you. But just confirming."

"I'm not like you Jessie," She winked.

I couldn't help but smile, "I know you're not. If you were I'd of already
kicked your ass ages ago."

"You look really tiered, I'm guessing you had fun last night?"

"Fuck yeah I did!"

"Get laid?"

"Oh my god! Shut up Em before I beat your ass!"

"Is that a yes? Jessie lost her V card to the senior hottie Nick!" She
chanted.

	 I gave her an evil look and she ran back upstairs. I smiled to
myself, my little sister knew me too well, and I knew her too well. In a
way I'm glad my sister isn't like me. She hangs with the goody goody
cheerleaders, who never do anything bad. Not that I mind, I rather her hang
with them then the jocks like me. Plus, Emily is a lot smarter than me; I
can guarantee she won't do anything close to what I do until her junior or
senior year. Instead of me being her idol, she's more like mine. We both
know right from wrong, the only difference is I'm apathetic and she's
ignorant.

			      ***************

"Dinner time girls!"

	I sat up and rubbed my eyes. My nap interrupted. I got up, my body
still aching, and slowly made my way downstairs. The aroma of homemade
pizza fills my senses and I wake up a little bit more. I sit down at the
dining room table and grab two slices of pizza, I remembered I hadn't eaten
all day and suddenly my appetite kicked in.
       We all ate, Mom, Dad and Emily talking about the day as usual. I
usually join in, but I was too hungry and too tiered and still a little
hung-over. When we were all done eating my Mom said to me:

"You must have really had fun at Ali's last night, you were asleep when we
came home."

"When did you guys get home?"

"Three thirty."

	Weird, I thought to myself. Mom and Dad always let me sleep through
dinner on weekends because they know I'm usually worn out from the week or
not even home. I knew something was up.

"Ahh. Why did you guys wake me up? Just wondering."

"Well, we have some news." The tone my mom used gave me second thoughts,
that wasn't her "good news" voice.

	I looked at Emily and gave her a questioning look, she shook her
head and confirmed she had no knowledge of this, she then shrugged her
shoulders. We looked back at Mom and dad, waiting for an answer. Dad wiped
his mouth with his napkin and put it back on his lap, stalling for time.

"Girls, Mom's job was transferred today."

	My heart started beating a million miles an hour. The room was
silent for a good three minutes, but it felt like a lifetime.

Emily finally broke the silence, "So, were moving?"

 "Yes," My mother replied.

	 My sisters eyes got red and tears rolled down her cheeks, she
broke out in a sob and ran up to her room. I was still in too much shock to
comprehend what was going on.

"Where to?" My voice came out so quiet.

"New York," My mom replied.

 "New York?"

"Yes."

"Manhattan?"

"We were originally going to buy a house there, but one of the backdrops of
my job being transferred is that I have to be on call. It's a thirty minute
commute from Manhattan to the New York City hospital, and it's just not
going to work out."

"What about your job Dad?"

"There always looking for new lawyers in NYC, no worries sweetie," He said
running his hand through his short strawberry blonde hair.

 "It's going to be alright. Were keeping this house here, so we can come
and visit whenever we want," my mom said.

"And in a couple years you will be able to drive up here any time you want
to see your friends." My dad said.

       Once again, there was an agonizing silence.
       " ?Look at it this way; remember when you were in sixth grade? You
used to always complain about how small this town was and how small the
schools were, and you said you just wanted to go to a place where not
everyone knew your name? Where your drama wasn't everyone else's?  Where
you had a bigger selection of friends? Well in New York City you will!" My
Mom reasoned.

       I wanted to say, "yes, I used to think like that, three years
ago. But I grew up and got over it. I learned to accept the fact that this
town wasn't changing and we weren't moving, but now that I finally learned
to grow up you're going to do this to me?" But instead I kept my mouth
shut.

"Honey we know this is going to be a big change, but we have to look at
this from a positive perspective," My dad said.

       I looked at from my Mom to my Dad, shook my head, and walked up to
my room, not bothering to clear my plate. I was going to go straight to my
room and drown in my misery, but as I walked passed my sisters room I heard
her crying. I couldn't help it; I knocked softly on the door.

"Go away," I heard her say through her tears.

	I thought to myself, how could get her to open the door?

"I stole your favorite pink nail polish and I just wanted to give it back."

       I heard footsteps coming closer to the door and the door swing
open. Emily was wrapped up in her pink fuzzy blanket, and her face hidden,
buried in it. I could only see a little bit of her black hair. She held out
her hand.

"Just kidding."

       She slowly pulled the blanket down from her face to reveal her angry
death stare. I almost forgot what that face looked like, since she's rarely
ever in a bad mood. I examined her face; it was red and wet from her
tears. Her hazel eyes were green, not a good sign. My stomach turned into
knot and my heart dropped. My first instinct was to make her smile. I
lunged forward and picked her up; I spun her around and put her on the
bed. I gave her a big sloppy kiss on the cheek.

"Eww," She said making a sour face while wiping her cheek.

"Hey! You wiping my kisses away?" I said teasingly.

"No I'm rubbing them in," She said turning her head to hide a smile.

       My Mom used to do that to my sister and I up until sixth grade.

"Hey is that a smile I see on that pretty little face?"

"No."

I gently turned her chin to look at me, "it's gonna be fine."  "I'm gonna
miss all my friends, I can't leave them," she said looking down.  "I'll
tell you what. Every weekend we can take a bus or a train back home ok? Mom
and Dad could even drive us once in a while when they felt like it. Weather
Mom and Dad let us or not, we could sneak out or even just go, whatever it
takes. We can see all our friends and walk around town and go to the
park. Mom and Dad are keeping this house; it'll be like we never even
left."

       She looked to be in thought for a few moments, "Ok."

"I know you're going to be fine because your super smart, and people are
going to fight over you as there partner for every project."

       She turned to face me.

"You're also always happy, and people are naturally attracted to that. You
know just how to make someone smile when there in a bad mood, and how to
comfort someone who's in a sad mood. We both know who usually makes me feel
better in situations."

       She shook her head yes.

"You cheerlead, play soccer and basketball, do ballet and jazz and play the
flute. You'll fit right in. You can learn other hobbies from other people
and you can teach others yours. There are more clubs to join in bigger
schools; your talent can really thrive."

       She nodded her head.

"Plus you can make a ton more friends in these schools, but that doesn't
mean you can't still hang out with your old ones."

"Yeah I guess you're right."

"Of course I'm right!" I said poking her everywhere in the stomach.

       She started to laugh.

"Everything's going to be fine. I promise."

       She smiled and looked up at me with admiration; I moved a strand of
her dark brown hair out of her face. Her hazel eyes were a bright amber
color, which meant she was happy. I moved a strand of her black hair out of
her face. As I looked at her I saw...myself. Even though she had black hair
and I had strawberry blonde, you could definitely see the resemblance. I
got up and smiled at her before I shut the door and went to my room.  I
fell down on the bed and stared at the ceiling.  I convinced her everything
was going to be ok, now I just had to convince myself. I thought and
thought, for at least two hours. I had come to a conclusion, this is the
change I wanted three years ago, but I learned to live with what I had. Now
I can learn to live with this. It'll be good though; I can make a lot of
new friends and have a new start. I can make a new reputation and go to a
place where nobody knows my name and nobody's in my business. For once
maybe my life can be somewhat private. The more I thought about how
Massachusetts is different from New York, the more I started to realize how
different my town was from every other town in this country. I needed a
taste of the real world. Maybe that's what I needed, a break from
stereotypes.


	Part 2 will be coming soon, let me know if you liked it :)

		      Email me at xpb6luvo@gmail.com

(people who have emailed me before about my last story will already know!)