Rian was ready to board the plane, when Rico ran through the crowd. "Rian!" he hugged her, "Don't ever leave me again!"
Rider punched Rian in the arm. "Hey, you spaced off. You ok?"
"Yeah, I just-" Rian thought about saying, 'I just made out with my fake boyfriend and it was very romantic' but decided to go with something more subtle, "I think it's just the turbulance."
"Sheesh, Ri. Someone needs some-"
"Don't say it."
"I was going to say you needed some of the Cali air. You know? The sun and surf?" Rider went back to his magazine.
"Yeah, because you can totally surf, Rider." Rian rolled her eyes and looked back out the window.
"Oh no. I'm just interested in the girls. And trust me, you give it enough time and you'll forget all about- what were we talking about?"
Rian gave her older brother a blank look, "I ran out into the pouring rain just to attempt to make things right with Rico. I destroyed my social status just to impress Kowalski, started a civil war in the football team and to top it all off-"
"And you had a pretty good run." Rider turned the page in his magazine.
"What?" Rian took the magazine from her brother, "What are you talking about a pretty good run?"
"So you had some faults, knocked some poles down, you still tried. And isn't that what matters? You took four compleatly different teenagers and turned them into best friends, you erased the lines that society has drawn and you brought everyone down to the same level. Honestly, I don't know how you did it, but you have probably changed that whole school."
"That's blowing it a bit out of proportion don't you think?" Rian tilted her head.
"Well, according to my sources, you are the first Homcoming Queen that ever gave the crown to your worst enemy then stormed out. I'm proud of you for that."
"Oh, please. I don't think you are-"
"West Cove changed you Rian. Like right now. The pre-Rico Rian would have punched me in the face for saying that stuff. This Rian, just sitting there taking it."
"Will you shut up? I'm trying to sleep." Rian slid down in her seat.
"Different is good on you." Rider took his magazine and began looking through it again. "I'm thinking about getting a hot pink mustang once we get to California. What do you think?"
"No mustangs." Rian muttered. "I think I'm a little burnt out on sports cars. How bout a jeep?"
"I'm thinking motorcycle."
"5-speed bike?"
"Moped."
Rian laughed, "You need professional help."
A few minutes of silence graced the siblings with it's presence. Rider broke just as Rian was falling asleep.
"I want a dog."
"Why?"
"Because, when I work nights, a dog will protect you."
"Mmhmm. An attack yorkie?" Rian was still half asleep.
"I was thinking a bit bigger. Like a bull mastiff. Or a great dane."
"Or an elephant."
"What's your problem? You love dogs."
"Yeah, but not when they eat us out of house and home."
"Fine. We'll pick a medium-sized dog."
Rian sighed and sat up. "How about some nice fish?"
"How-"
"No. I think I'm sworn off pets for awhile."
"Is this about Star?"
"This is about a pet. I just don't want a dog or anything else."
"Someone's bitchy." Rider grumbled.
Rian punched her brother in the arm. "Stop it."
"Ok ok, someone doesn't want to talk about -"
Rian glared at Rider, and he went quiet.
_Rico's house_
"Mom?" Rico walked in, "I'm home."
Kevlar bounded over, wagging his tail.
"Rico? What are you doing home so early?"
"Rian moved."
"Oh, sugar, I'm sorry. Are you ok?" his mom walked out of the kitchen and hugged him.
"I'm fine." he dropped his backpack to the floor. "She didn't even tell us she was leaving."
"Well, after everything that's happened, do you blame her?"
"No, I would have done the same thing. Only I would have at least left a goodbye note."
"Well, sometimes it's easier to run then have to face someone with goodbye." Rico watched his mom renter the kitchen.
A few pictures, two tickets, from a trip we took last year,
A handful of memories, some still seem clear,
A few regrets, a couple of melodies, that remind me of you,
I could say that I won't miss this, but that wouldn't be the truth,
There's no one here to blame, and this is the only way,
There's nothing left for us, to say
It's time to let you go, it's what we have to do,
It's time to give this up, I think that we both knew,
There's nothing left to say, there's nothing left to prove,
And now it's time to turn and walk away from,
What's left of me and you,
What's left of me and you
_Kowalski_
Kowalski flopped down on his bed and looked around. His room was litered with various failed inventions. He stood up and began picking through them.
An hour later he carried a full trash bag out to the dumpster.
Doris caught him on the way back in. "Hey."
"What do you want D?" Kowalski asked.
"To talk."
"It's a little late for that don't you think?"
"I'm sorry. I know it doesn't mean much now that Rian's gone but-"
"Doris. I loved you. Key word there 'LOVED'. Past tense." Kowalski pushed the elevator button.
"But Kowalski."
Kowalski sighed and kissed Doris on the cheek, "Apologies can't fix what you've done."
"I love you!" Doris was crying.
Kowalski stepped onto the elevator and waved goodbye as the door closed.
Box of letters, that old t-shirt, still brings me back to you,
A few more hours in the day, not sure what I should do,
There's no one here to blame, and this is the only way,
There's nothing left for us to say
It's time to let you go, it's what we have to do,
It's time to give this up, I think that we both knew,
There's nothing left to say, there's nothing left to prove,
And now it's time to turn and walk away from,
What's left of me and you
_Skipper_
Marlene was smiling and laughing on the hood of the blue mustang. She was in a great mood, considering her best friend just up and left.
"So? Enough about me. What do you want to do after high school? Granted you survive." Marlene threw a grape at Skipper.
He caught it in his mouth. "You mean what do I want to do or what does dad want me to do?"
"You silly."
"Uh. Cop. Or secret agent, like with a team and get the girl. You know, like James Bond."
Marlene grabbed Skipper's hand, "Not all the girls. Right?"
"I said the girl." he smiled.
You were the best thing I'll ever give up,
And it's hard to see the truth,
When you think you're still in love,
The only way to get on with my life,
Is to say goodbye, so goodbye
It's time to let you go, it's what we have to do,
It's time to give this up, I think that we both knew,
There's nothing left to say and nothing left to prove,
And now it's time to turn and walk away from,
What's left of me and you,
What's left of me and you
A few pictures, two tickets,
From a trip we took last year,
A handful of memories,
Some still seem clear.
So, while most stories have a happy ending, this one does not. The only happy concept is that Skipper and Marlene ended up together, and Kowalski found himself single. As for Kelno, he got what he wanted, popularity and the school against the Doris apologized, she never earned the forgiveness she begged for. And Rian? she moved on to bigger cities, and more popular people. The city of West Cove was never quite the same though.
High School Can Really Kill You
The End.