50. Keep strong

Chapter  50: Keep strong

Kelsey's POV

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My last day in the country I consider home was spent together with my best friend Meg, both of us wanting to spend one last good day together before having to part ways due to our cruel destiny. We had managed to spend most of our time without talking about my inevitable move, and for a while, I even found myself forgetting about it. Meg's face suddenly turned serious as we were laughing and swimming together in her pool, the look on her face making my heart sink as I remembered what day it was.

"I can't believe you're moving tomorrow," she sadly said, her face no longer a happy one.

"Me neither. I can't believe that we might never see each other again. Our futures were so perfect, go to the same college, marry twins, be neighbours. It was so perfect," I sighed as I thought about all of the plans which Meg and I had made for our future back when we were younger, plans which we had to try and forget.

"I'm pretty sure Ethan doesn't have a twin," Meg winked, trying to lighten the mood despite talking about an upsetting situation.

"No, but he does have a best friend," I answered as her face reddened and she rolled her eyes at me, sticking her tongue out.

I was going to miss my silly banter with Meg, as well as all of the teasing. Meg had been there with me since I was younger, and she never left my side once, not even when she saw that by being with me she was saying goodbye to her chance at ever being with the cool kids. We had our fights, each one leaving me feeling lost and closed up in my side, but we always found our way back to each other in the end.

There was that one time where we had a really bad fight, where both of us ended up saying things which we didn't mean. We spent weeks not talking to one another, and poor Leah was stuck in the middle, hanging out with either one of us in turn. I felt horrible for everything that went down, but I was too proud to admit that I was wrong. I feared that that was the end of our story, and that we were going to be like those people who go from best friends to strangers. Then came a day where some kids thought it would be clever to surround me in the playground at school when our teacher wasn't there to see, and started making fun of me for one reason or another, some boys even throwing a ball at me, trying to somehow injure me. I was in tears, and they knew that Meg would not be there to save me, and Leah's class had not gone down yet.

What they didn't know was that the bond that Meg and I had was stronger than any fight, and that as my best friend, she was not going to let anybody hurt me. As I closed my eyes, waiting for the ball to connect with my face, a miracle happened, and no part of me was injured. Meg stood there in front of me, shielding me from the kids that decided to surround me, leaving them all staring at us in confusion. She turned to face me as they all scattered away, a tear streaming down her face as she hugged me, apologising for not having intervened sooner. I, however, was happy that she showed up at all. From that day on, we made a pact that no matter how bad our fights got, we would always be there to protect each other when they find themselves in serious trouble.

"You've always wanted to go to America, and now it's finally your chance," she said, a small smile forming on her face. "We'll find ways to visit each other. Our friendship is way too strong to be broken by a bit of distance," she reassured me as she brought her arms around me and gave me one of her amazing hugs.

"Yeah, you're right," I sighed, hoping that what she was saying were not just words.

"I am, but I know that there's something else bothering you. What is it?" She asked. "Is it about Ethan?"

I looked away from her, slowly nodding at her question. I loved Ethan with all my might. Never in my life could I have imagined myself being completely head over heels for another, but I was. I was not going to feel like half a whole without him, but something certainly was going to feel missing in my life. Imagining myself with somebody else who wasn't him was nearly impossible, and the selfish part of me did not want him with anybody else either.

Meg sent me a small smile before rubbing my arm up and down consolingly. I could see the pity in her eyes, a look which I hated. Being pitied meant that my life was going so horribly that somebody else found the need to feel sorry for me, and I didn't want that.

"Are you sure you guys can't try the long distance thing?" She asked, she herself not agreeing with the fact that Ethan and I were going to break up.

"I can't do that to Ethan," I said with a small smile.

"Do what?" She asked in confusion.

"I can't have him wait for me to come back, I don't want him to feel like he can't hang around other girls because he's with me. He means a lot to me, and I just want him to be happy. I know that he isn't happy with us breaking up, but he can't be completely happy when we're so far apart from each other either," I explained.

"Did you talk to your dad about how you feel?" One look in her eyes and I knew that she wasn't just asking that to try and help me. She was asking for herself as well, not wanting me to leave probably as much as I didn't want to. Her, Ethan, and Noah, were all hiding their true feelings from me, thinking that I wouldn't find out by just looking at their red, glossy eyes whenever the conversation came.

"Megs, he's so happy. He gave up everything for me after mom died, I'm the reason he ended up without a job. He gave up everything for me in the blink of an eye, and if I tell him that I want to stay here, but with him, he wouldn't hesitate to stay. I don't want to hold him back," I replied.

Sometimes I wished that I could be completely selfish and only think about my feelings, but I never could, especially not when it came to my father. He was my hero, and for once I wanted to be his.

"I'm going to miss you so much baby girl," she said, engulfing me in a hug.

"I'm going to miss you too my queen," I replied as I tightened my grip around her, knowing very well that that could have been one of the last times I was hugging my best friend.

"Promise me you won't forget me when you make new best friends over there?" She vulnerably asked.

I shook my head with a smile, knowing that it would have been impossible for me to every forget about her. Our relationship was so much more than just a best friendship. She was my family, and I could not forget about my family.

"Megs, of course not. No matter how many other best friends I get you will always be the best friend. We went through so much together, no other friend is going to change that," I replied in all honesty, knowing that the way I felt about her would never change.

"Good, because I don't know what I would do if I ever lost my brunette," she chuckled.

"You won't lose me, no matter what may happen, we'll find a way," I answered.

"I love you, I truly love you so much Kels," she said as she hugged me again, leaving me in tears.

We were never the kind of friends to say that we loved each other. Both of us knew how much we cared about one another and that was enough for both of us. Hearing her say those words made me emotional, especially because of the emotion and sincerity in her voice.

"Come on, no more crying," she sniffled before wiping away the tears that streamed down from her eyes as we were hugging. "We have to get ready for the party."

"Yeah, come on," I replied, taking her hand in mine as we got out of the pool and dried ourselves up before heading up to her room to get ready.

After we both took a shower, we rummaged through Meg's closet to try and find the perfect outfit to wear. In the end, I went for a maroon skater skirt that ended mid-thigh, completed with a black, lace top and matching black combat boots. Meg, on the other hand, worse a pair of ripped white jeans and a maroon top, completed with another pair of black combat boots.

"You look great," we both said at the same time, causing us both to laugh.

After making sure that we were both ready, we went to check on May and see if she was done, only to find her looking in the mirror with a pout. "How do I look? Do you think Noah will like it?" She asked as she noticed us come in.

She looked beautiful in a crimson red lace dress which ended right above her knee and white sneakers. Her hair was beautifully curled and she was wearing a gorgeous, silver flowery head band, making her look even more beautiful.

"You look gorgeous princess," I answered, earning a beaming smile from her.

"Yeah, there's no doubt that you're my sister," Meg proudly said.

"Great, let's go then," May smiled as she grabbed her bag and walked over to us, the three of us making our way to the Walker residence.

My heart felt heavy as I thought about how that was going to be my last time walking into the Walker house, as well as the last time I could spend any time with any of my friends. I couldn't believe that that was the last night I could spend with Ethan, and the last time I could ever embrace Noah and the girls. I rang the doorbell with sweaty palms, finding myself eager to see everyone as I fought back the urge to cry, not wanting to ruin the night for anybody.

Lara squealed as soon as she opened the door and saw me standing there, instantly wrapping her arms around me in a tight embrace. "I'm so happy you're here. I thought you weren't coming!" She excitedly said, her arms never letting go of my waist.

"We're right on time Lara what are you talking about?" I chuckled, admiring her innocence and her ability to always be in a good mood, no matter how hard things could get.

"Yeah, but Elsey has been barking ever since you left yesterday, and Ethan has just been so upset. Everyone's mood went down. We were excited to see you!" She said as she lead us in the house.

It wasn't long before Ellie came into the living room with a squeal before jumping into my arms, Elsey waggling her tail behind her before stopping to sniff my leg.

"How's my favorite 7 year old?" I asked as I picked Ellie up and hugged her.

"Much better now that you're here," she smiled, planting a kiss on my nose.

My heart tightened at what she said. They missed me after having been away for only one day, and I was unwilling to imagine what they were going to do once I left permanently the following day.

I placed Ellie down as Elsey started barking and scratching my leg, seemingly wanting attention. I giggled at her reaction, kneeling down to pet her as she licked my hand happily. Where I was going, I was not going to be have Elsey running around with me. Even if I had gotten her for the Walkers, I found myself growing fond of her myself, and I knew that she had taken a liking to me too.

I quickly got up from the floor as Ethan came out of the kitchen, wearing nothing but a pair of black basketball shorts. His eyes met mine as he stepped into the room, and I could feel my heart start to beat like crazy. That was the last time we were ever going to greet each other like boyfriend and girlfriend, and no matter how much I tried, I could not forget that.

"Hey," he softly said as he walked closer to me, a small, sad smile on his face. "Sorry, I was cooking the food, I was about to go change."

"Erm, it's fine," I said before his arms wrapped around me, the warmth of his body making me feel like I was at home right there in his arms.

"Noah has been in his room all day playing sad songs on his guitar, won't let anyone in. Do you think you can go talk to him?" He whispered, clearly not wanting anybody else to hear him, despite the fact that May's head snapped right towards us at the mention of Noah.

My heart broke at the thought of Noah locking himself in his room because he was upset about losing me. Noah and I's friendship was one of the most genuine I had ever had, and the separation was going to be hard on both of us. I knew that Noah often tried to act tough, not wanting his real feelings to show. He was not an emotional person, and he preferred masking his pain with a smile instead of sharing it with other people, but that ability of his seemed to shut down right after I told him that I was leaving.

I had no words to explain the genuine love and care we both had for each other, and I didn't know how I was going to survive without his help and advice. Noah was like the little brother I had never had, and I wished that I could stay to be able to protect him whenever he may have needed.

I nodded my head at Ethan's request, before heading upstairs to his room, hoping that he would let me in on what was going through his head. He had been trying to avoid the conversation for days, and even after the wonderful surprise they all made me the previous day, he tried as best as he could to avoid my gaze, and to avoid speaking to me as much as he could. His reaction hurt me, but I couldn't say that I did not understand it.

"Noah," I softly said as I knocked on his door, patiently waiting for him to open it.

It wasn't long before I heard the sound of a lock click, the door opening soon after. My heart stopped as I caught sight of the broken boy in front of me, his eyes red and puffy as dark circles stood below his eyes. It hurt to see him like that, and it hurt me even more that I was the one who did that to him.

He stared at me for a second, his chest falling and rising rapidly before he took a deep breath and engulfed me in a hug, my arms wrapping around his neck as his tightened around my waist. We stood like that for a moment, embracing in his doorway, before he finally spoke.

"My best friend is leaving tomorrow," he sniffed, the sound of him crying inflicting more pain in me than I had already been feeling.

"Noah, I don't want you to cry okay?" I said before backing away slightly to look at him. "I'm going to miss you so much, but I don't want you to be sad and in your room playing sad songs all day. You need to go out and have fun. I promise to call every day, okay? You are not going to get rid of me that easily," I said as we walked into his room before he closed the door.

"It's not like I'm crying because it's my choice," he said as more tears slipped down, making me sigh sadly at the sight.

"Listen, Noah. I want you to forget that I'm moving, just for tonight. We are going to go downstairs together and enjoy the party. Tomorrow's a new day, and we'll deal with it when it comes," I said, hoping that he would agree with all of what I was saying.

He looked at me momentarily before nodding and wiping the tears from his eyes. I outreached my hand for him to take before opening the door to his room and getting out, only to find Ethan standing in the doorway, his red eyes resembling his brother's as his lips pressed in a thin line.

He looked at me before nodding towards Noah, showing me that he wanted to talk to him. I nodded, understanding his message before walking half way down the stairs, my legs freezing in their place as I heard the words that came out of Ethan's lips.

"Remember, we have to keep strong for her, okay bro?" He said, his voice breaking slightly in the end. "The thought of her leaving hurts me as much as it hurts you. I wish that I can tell her not to go, to just stay with me, in my arms forever. But I can't. I know that if I do tell her that it will upset her even more, it will make things harder for her and I just want her to be happy. We both do," he softly said.

I didn't hear anymore of the conversation because I walked down the stairs, wanting to give them some privacy, especially knowing that I wasn't supposed to be hearing what they were saying. Ethan's words broke me, but I knew, no matter how painful it was, that I couldn't do anything about it.

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