Teacher's Pet

*****

I'd called Wade soon after I'd called Mr. Jefferson that Sunday night. We'd spoken, we'd cried, but we'd both agreed not to see each other again – it would just make things too painful. We would always have the memory of that beautiful weekend in Miami, and that's how we wanted to remember each other.

Of course, that hadn't helped with the pain and sadness – even more so because I'd had to keep it concealed from my best friend, my sister, and my mom. And, of course, there was the grief I felt at leaving my mom behind, as well.

I was, of course, also feeling excited. How could I not be? This was going to be one of the greatest experiences and opportunities of my life. Still, at the moment, I was feeling more sadness than anything else.

But it was here; the moment had almost arrived. My flight was in two hours, and I'd packed. Some things I was leaving at my mom's place in storage, others I was taking with me. My bags were bursting, and Leena and I had moved out of our apartment.

Luckily, her dad, who was fairly wealthy, had agreed to cover the loss of the deposit from our landlord on account of our moving out so quickly and unexpectedly. I was going to meet her at the airport shortly, as we'd be flying together. At least I wasn't going there all alone; having my best friend make this journey with me was a small consolation.

“I can't believe you're about to leave,” my mom said with tears in her eyes. “But I'm so happy for you and so proud of you. This is going to be a real, life-changing opportunity for you. My little girl, off to one of the best colleges in the country! You've made me the proudest mom in the world.

“And since you'll be in California, you'll be able to see Anne so much more often. And your nephew and niece – and the new one who's on the way!”

“I know, Mom,” I replied, “and I'm looking forward to seeing the kids. But I'm gonna miss you so much. I really am. Are you sure you'll be all right out here by yourself? I really think you should consider moving out there, too.”

“I will be fine. I raised you two all on my own, remember? Now, I just have myself to take care of – it's much easier! I'll miss you so much, though, my beautiful, talented daughter.”

“I'll miss you, too, Mom. I love you so much.”

&nbsp

; “I love you, too.”

A horn sounded outside in the street. “The taxi's here,” Mom said, her voice cracking a little. “Come on, don't keep him waiting.”

I hugged her tightly one last time and then, with tears in my eyes, I got my luggage and walked out. I gave my mom a last, teary look and waved goodbye, and then shut the door behind me, feeling as if my heart had been torn in two.

I made my way out to the taxi, took one last look at my home – the place where I'd grown up – and then climbed in.

“Airport, right?” the driver said as he loaded my luggage into the trunk.

“Yes, please.”

“Let's go then,” he said as he climbed into the driver's seat.

“Yes, let's go,” I sighed – and that was it. As he took off, I left my old life behind.

My phone buzzed in my bag. I took it out and saw that it was a message from Wade. My heart immediately began beating faster as I opened it.

Good luck at Stanford, beautiful. I know you've made the right choice. No matter what happens, you'll always be in my heart. I love you. Wade.

I'll never forget you either, Wade, I said in my reply. Never. I couldn’t bring myself to type out the word goodbye…even though I knew that’s exactly what that text was.

I put the phone back in my bag and quietly wept in the back seat.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Wade

I awoke with a pounding headache and an excessively dry mouth that felt as if it had been stuffed with cotton wool. I groaned as I rolled over in my bed and checked the clock on my bedside table. That woke me up pretty quick – I needed to be on campus in half an hour.

“Shit, shit, shit,” I growled under my breath as I scrambled to get out of bed.

Something heavy shifted as I flung the covers off my body, and a second later, the tinkle and crunch of glass smashing to the floor echoed through my room.

I looked down at the broken bottle at my feet – the whiskey bottle from last night. Great. Now there was broken glass all over my bedroom floor.