Chapter Four: Goodbyes

"Well! Here I go, Mom! Off to change the world with my Thneed!"

It was finally the day Once-ler had been waiting for for almost all of his life. He was finally leaving home to go after his dreams. He ignored the snide remarks his family gave him as he climbed on his wagon's seat. Melvin was hitched to it and seemed ready to go. Honestly, so was he, but he didn't want to leave just yet.

He knew he probably shouldn't get his hopes up, but he thought maybe, just maybe, Clementine Valentine might show up and say goodbye.

He had already called her last night to tell her that he was leaving in the morning. The conversation had been weird, to say the least. Really weird. It sounded as though she'd been out of breath while they were talking. He'd asked her to come see him off but her answer had been vague. He wasn't sure if the answer was yes or no.

So, that's why he was looking down the road, hoping to see her small figure heading their way. Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be happening.

"Well, Melvin," the Once-ler said after taking a breath. "I guess we should go!" Just as he was preparing to whip his reins, he heard a familiar voice calling his name. He lifted his head and his mouth fell open at the sight of none other than Clementine Valentine running towards him. He was even more shocked when he saw the loads of suitcases she was dragging with her.

"Wha...?" He climbed off of Melvin and started walking towards her.

"I hope you have room for one more!" Clementine grinned as she dropped her suitcases at his feet and beamed up at him. She was tired and out of breath.

Oncie still couldn't wrap his mind around what was happening. "One more?" he questioned. "What... You... You mean that you're coming with me?" His expression was shocked.

Clem nodded. "Yes. Now load my bags. We really have to leave before my parents realize I'm gone."

Oncie's mouth fell open while his hands automatically started loading all of Clementine's fifteen bags into the wagon. "Wait.." He paused to shake his head. "You're running away?!" he yelled.

Clem shrugged. "I suppose so, yes." As soon as she said the words, her lips curled up into a pleased smile. "Yes," she repeated. "I'm running away."

"Oh, are you two eloping?!" Oncie's mom cried while clapping her hands together happily. "I always knew you'd make my Oncie a happy man!" Oncie slapped his hand over his face before rounding the wagon to pull a mortified Clem onto the wagon seat with him.

"So, you're really doing this?" he asked. Clem chewed her bottom lip, seeming unsure. She suddenly nodded and grinned.

"Yes," she announced, seeming proud of herself.

Oncie couldn't contain the happy "whoot" that escaped his mouth. "Well...Well, this is great! Just me, you, Melvin and the open road! We'll go wherever you wanna go, Clem!"

Clementine's laugh was infectious. "That's the best thing I've heard in a long time. I'll just be happy to be out from under my parents' noses. Now, let's go!"

"Yes, ma'am!" The Once-ler gave Melvin's reins a whip. Melvin brayed and began trotting forward, swinging his fuzzy mane to the happy tune Oncie began whistling.

Clementine's heart was pounding against her chest. She held a gloved hand to it, hoping it would calm down. This was big. She was running away from her big, comfortable home to go off to...who knows where with Once-ler. Was she making the right choice? Maybe she should just go home and get prepared to meet her fiancee, who was supposed to be flying in today.

Suddenly, something warm grabbed both of her hands. She looked up and saw Oncie smiling at her.

"Hey, don't look so worried! This is going to be amazing, okay?" he assured her with one of his goofy grins. Clem smiled back but her smile dropped when he moved her hands to grab onto Melvin's reins.

"You can try guiding him if you want," Oncie suggested. "I'm gonna climb to the back and get some snacks for the road!"

Once-ler climbed to the back, leaving a stiff Clem to stare, wide-eyed, at the reins in her hands. She looked up and saw Melvin giving her a smug look. She gave a nervous laugh.

"Um, good, Melvin..." she cooed. "Please take us to a nice place, okay?"

Melvin's only response was a snort and a flick of his tail before he turned back around. Clem smiled to herself as the reality of what she had done began to sink in.

Her and her best friend were free to explore the world together. She'd never have gotten to experience that while living in the Valentine manor. Sure, she'd miss her family, but she'd go back...eventually. Once the suitor left.

"Woop!" Once-ler made a popping sound as he poked his head out of the wagon. Clem rolled her eyes at her silly friend and moved over so that he had room to hop beside her on the seat. He held out two giant bags of fluffy marshmallows.

"These thscings aresh shooo goooo!" he told her with a mouth full of the fluffy sweet. Clem laughed and popped one into her mouth. It turned into mushy sweetness in her mouth. She eyed the rest of the marshmallows with disdain.

"They're alright, I guess. I hope that's not all you packed to eat," she said with a scowl. Once-ler laughed and turned around so that he could reach into the back of the wagon. When he turned around, she saw that he was holding a box of pancake mix. The smile on his face was so hopeful. She couldn't bring herself to note that they may need more than that.

"That works," she lied while giving the reins back to an ecstatic Once-ler. He gave them a whip, sending Melvin into a happy trot.

He looked over at Clem, his eyes twinkling. "This is gonna be amazing, Clem!" He gave a short, disbelieving laugh. "I still can't believe we're doing this!"

"Me either," Clementine admitted while fiddling with her lacy collar.

Oncie noticed her worried expression. He began singing, hoping it would ease her worries, at least somewhat.

"Naa, naa, nananana!" he sang happily as they pulled onto the weathered road that led to who-knows-where. A smile finally appeared on Clem's face.

And where would this weathered road take our two friends? Adventure? Romance? Dreams? Or perhaps, disaster? Only time would tell. So stay tuned, my friends! It's sure to be a fun and bumpy ride!

(A/N: So, this is where the movie actually begins! Just so you know, I picture the Lorax narrating those little quips that sometimes appear at the end of the chapter or the beginning!

Hope everyone enjoyed! Big, big thanks to those who faved/followed this story! Marshmallows for all! :D)

Peace & Love,

CR