CHAPTER 2

When I finally woke up, we were already at the doctor's office. I didn't want to get out of the car. It felt like I had slept an eternity, but by looking at the clock it was only a ten minute nap.

As Claire and I entered the doctor's office, her ex-boyfriend, Jake, greeted us at the sign-in window. I had forgotten he worked there; Claire hadn't. I wondered why she took me here instead of my doctor.

Jake got me in to see the doctor quickly. I was so thankful. The doctor looked at my hand and x-rayed it. Of course, my fingers were broken but my hand wasn't. The doctor told me that my fingers would be healed in a few days and that he would give me some pain medicine to take if I needed it.

We finally left the doctor's after several hugs and kisses between Jake and Claire. I thought I was going to be sick; I guess they're back together…again. Why would Claire put herself through all his charades again? I guess whatever makes her happy. I hope this means we're still moving. I am whether she is or not. I still had to call my cousin Lily and tell her the good news. Lily had to get my room ready if I was going to live with her.

After we left and went back to Claire's house I asked her about her and Jake. "So are you two back together now," I asked curiously.

"Yes! I'm so happy Bella! I felt so lost without him." She was so happy.

"What does that mean for us? Are you still moving? Because whether you move or not, I am. I have to get out of this place." It sounded a little harsh but it was true. I can't put my life on hold for one person.

"Well, I had thought about that briefly. I still want us to be friends. I don't know what I'd do without you." You'd do just fine. "But I don't think I'm going to move to Washington. I never told Lily that I was going to anyways and I don't think it would be right to spring that on her." Well, it's never bothered you before. I was so irritated.

"So I guess you're saying that you're going to stay here with Jake." It wasn't a question.

"Yes that's what I'm saying." I knew that's what she would do. "Oh please don't be mad at me, Bella!"

"I'm not mad. I knew you wouldn't move anyways. I just never thought it would be because of a boy. But I see how happy Jake makes you. So do whatever you want." I was irritated at Claire but I knew she couldn't tell. I tried not to show it.

Despite how close Claire and I were we had our ups and downs like any relationship. However, it always seemed that I was the one to cave and ask for forgiveness even though I knew I hadn't done anything. I wasn't going to let that happen this time. I was moving and Claire wasn't stopping me.

We were quiet for a while. Claire finally said, "I can help you pack your things and help you get everything ready. I'll also take you shopping since you have no sense of style." That part was true.

"Thanks. That'd be great."I wasn't lying. It would be great to have her help me pack my things. I had a lot of things that I had to ship to Lily soon so she could put them in my room.

Lily had moved to Seattle(?) a few years ago. She had convinced my parents to let me move up there with her after I graduated. They just didn't realize how soon I would be moving across the country.

I suddenly realized that I needed to go home; it was later than I thought. I had to call Lily and tell my parents the news.

"I hate to leave like this Claire but I've got to go home, call Lily, and tell my parents that I'll be moving to Washington in a few weeks," I said.

"Alright girl. I'll drive you back to school so you can get your car. I need to tell mom and dad that I won't be moving and that Jake and I are back together."

"I'm sure they'll be thrilled."

Our ride back to school was quiet. Neither one of us said anything. I just stared out the window. My hand was hurting pretty bad now.

"We're here." Claire's voice startled me. I hadn't realized that we had pulled in the parking lot.

I dug around for my keys in my backpack. Right when I got out of the car I noticed another car parked beside mine. It was Jake's. Apparently, Claire hadn't seen that he was waiting beside his car.

Before I got out I said, "It looks like someone's here to surprise you."

Claire jumped out of the car and ran to Jake. I tried to get to my car as fast as I could; I didn't want to be sick. They never heard me start the car or rev the engine. As I began to drive off, I rolled down the window and yelled, "Bye Claire. Thanks." She never heard me.

The whole way home I kept thinking about how I was going to tell my parents that I was moving early. I also thought about Claire and Jake. I didn't understand why she went back to him or him to her. I had never had a boyfriend and was perfectly fine. I sometimes got lonely but that was what Claire was for and now I didn't even have her. She would be spending every waking hour with Jake.

When I arrived home, I saw both of my parent's vehicles in the drive. I took a deep breath. I had to get through this with no one crying, including me. As I entered the house, my parents greeted me with open arms. They were both smiling and were happy. "We're so happy for you, Schy," they said.

"What are you talking about," I asked.

"About you graduating early, silly," my mother answered with a wide grin.

"You do realize this means I'm moving to Washington early, right?"

Dad laughed, "Of course we do! We've already called Lily and told her the good news. She seems really excited! Oh, she wants you to call her."

"I can't believe your both taking this so easily. What happened to the tears and the pleas not to go," I said astonished.

"Schy, you're old enough to make decisions on your own. We're very proud of you. We know Lily is responsible and so are you. You'll take care of each other," my mother said.

The only thing I could think of to do was smile. I didn't think my parents would take this so easily. Honestly, I think I'm going to take it worse than them. As I looked up again, I saw that their happy faces had turned to ones of worry.

"Schy, what happened to your hand," dad asked as he looked at each individual brace on each right hand finger.

"Uh, I kind of broke my fingers. Does it honestly surprise you?"

"Well no not really but this does put a damper on the mood," mom said as she examined my hand for herself.

"The doctor said I would be healed in a few days," I said reassuringly.

"You will dear. Now why don't you go call Lily?"

"Okay." I was glad to be away from their happy faces. I didn't know if I could take the pain of leaving them. Tears welled up in my eyes as I walked down the hall to my room.

When I entered my room I saw boxes all over the room. I guess my parents were ready for me to move out. I called Lily as soon as I found my phone. Her phone rang and rang, I thought she wasn't home. Suddenly, I hear a breathless, "Hello?"

"Hey Lily! I thought you weren't home. Glad I didn't hang up."

"Hey Schy! No I was just running around trying to get some things ready for you. I can't wait for you to come!"

"Slow down. It'll be a little bit until I come up there. I've still got to graduate and pack."

"I'm still so excited!" Lily and I had been best friends growing up. Ever since she moved to Washington, the only time we got to talk was over the phone and that was only a few times. "I want to come to your graduation and help you pack!"

"I'm excited too." I knew she could read through my little act.

"Well you don't sound excited. What's wrong Bella?"

"I really am excited, I promise. It's just hard to think about leaving mom and dad, especially since they're so excited. It's kind of weird. Oh and then there's Claire."

"What about Claire? I thought you two were best friends."

"We were. We still are, I think. Claire and her ex, Jake, got back together today. So she's not moving. I'm not really sure what that means for our friendship."

"Well if she's going to leave you for a boy than she doesn't deserve to be your friend. You're moving here to Washington with me and you'll be able to start over."

"Yeah, I know. I'm ready to move." And I was in one way. I wanted to get out of this place, to start over in a way. No one knows me there and I can have new friends. I wasn't ready, however, to leave my friends and family here. I knew Claire and I would probably never see each other again after I moved. The phone calls and emails would go on for a couple of months and then we'd lose touch all together. At least I wouldn't have to be the third wheel in the Claire and Jake duo.

"Alright girl. I better go. I've got to start cleaning your room. You can start mailing your things up here. I'll see you in a few weeks."

"Okay, Lily. Bye."

But before I hung up I heard, "Schy, it'll be alright. You'll see. Bye."

How could I deny Lily's reassurance? For as long as I could remember Lily had never lied to me. I knew that somehow everything would be alright.