Chapter 6: Changes

Tina and Zeke had a steady relationship through the summer. Between work and spare time, they spent almost all of their time together. Tina loved him and knew he loved her. Everything was blissful in their relationship. That is until August.

It was the middle of August and school was starting up again in a couple of weeks. Tina and Zeke sat outside on a park bench and watched the world go by. Tina noticed that Zeke was rather quiet. "Is something bothering you, Zeke?" Tina asked.

Zeke sighed and folded his hands. "I've gotta tell you something, T." He said as he cleared his throat.

"W-what's wrong?" She asked nervously. Her heart began to race. She didn't think she'd enjoy what was coming.

Zeke sighed and wiped his face with his hands. "I'm moving." He said quietly.

"How far?" Tina asked.

Zeke shrugged. "Don't know. My dad got an offer for a job and that's all I know. My step-mom said we're gonna be too far for me to still go to Huxley or work for your old man." He said as he took her hand.

"So, what are you saying?" She asked frantically.

Zeke squeezed her hand. "We have to break up." He said as his voice cracked. He was just as upset about it as she was. But still, Tina took it hard. She released her grip and broke down. Zeke sat there quietly for awhile as Tina whimpered and tried to regain composure, which was next to impossible. He stood up and stood in front of her. "Tina, look at me," he said as he took her hands and helped her off the bench, "there's a good chance that I'll come back, but until then you gotta be strong and move on with your life. You have so much ahead of you."

"But I want you to be in the picture when I experience these things," Tina interjected, "I don't want to lose you."

"I'm always gonna be with you," he said as he hugged her, "I love you, Tina."

"I love you, too." Tina said quietly. There was nothing she could say or do that would change the situation. He was leaving whether she liked it or not. And it hurt like hell.

Zeke looked down and wiped his eyes quickly. "Here," he said as he handed her a gift, "I got this for you before I go. I'll walk you home, too. I'm sorry, Tina." Tina didn't say a word, but she did want him to walk with her. He rubbed her back as they headed back to the restaurant.

The two made it to the restaurant and stopped in front of the front door of the apartment. "I'm gonna go talk to your dad about this stuff in the restaurant and then I'll let you go." Zeke said as he kicked at the ground.

"So, this is really goodbye, huh?" Tina asked as she clutched the gift tightly.

Zeke sighed. "For now, yes. But things might change and we might cross paths again. Until then, work on yourself and if you date again, that's okay too. I just want you to be happy." He kissed her on the forehead. "Well, goodbye, T." He said as he entered the restaurant. Tina ran upstairs into the apartment and slammed her bedroom door behind her. She didn't even bother opening her gift. She took off her glasses and cried into her pillow.

Tina was in her room for an hour or so until she heard a knock. "Tina, sweetie, are you okay?" Linda asked as she opened the door. Tina nodded and put her glasses back on. "Zeke told us everything that happened, I'm sorry honey. Everything will be okay. In the meantime, try to keep your head up and do your thing. Things will work out, you just have to be patient. Okay, Tina?"

"Okay," Tina said quietly. Linda hugged her and left the room. Tina stared at the gift that sat at the foot of her bed. She picked it up and carefully tore away the wrapping paper. The gift was a framed picture of the two when they went on their first actual date and pictures from a photo booth they took together at the Wharf. She pealed the card off of the back of the frame and read it:

Dear Tina,

Thank you for giving me some of the greatest months of my life. I will never meet anyone as beautiful, caring and kind as you. Even though we're apart and if we move on… you'll always be in my heart and on my mind.

I love you, T-Bird,

Zeke.

The first day of sophomore year came and Tina was looking forward to it. Although she was still heartbroken, she knew being in the company of good friends and having schoolwork to keep her busy would keep her mind off things. She walked through the hallway, greeted her friends and marveled over the bumbling freshmen struggling to find their lockers and homerooms as she made her way to her locker. She opened her locker and placed her books inside.

"Hi, Tina," Jimmy Jr. said to her.

She rolled her eyes. "Hi, Jimmy Jr.," she said as she took out a couple books.

"So, I heard you and Zeke broke up." He started.

Tina felt a ping in her chest, like his words were knives cutting into a wound that was starting to heal. "Yeah, it happens." She said.

"Yeah, I was thinking about breaking up with Tammy." He said, trying to entice her.

"Oh, well I hope you figure things out." Tina said as she closed her locker.

"Yeah, see you later?" He asked.

"We'll see." She said as she made her way to homeroom.