Best Friends Part 4

It has been nearly a month now since Emma and I have consummated our relationship on our prom night. Of course we grew closer than ever as a result and I am sure those closest to us were able to notice a difference. It didn’t however hinder our interest to continue what we had always done and are currently doing. The interesting thing is we are nearly seventeen and our parents still have yet to really discuss sex with us as if not bringing it up will ensure it doesn’t happen. I have said it before, if they are afraid to talk about it, we may as well figure it out for ourselves and I think we are doing a pretty good job so far.

The school day went fairly good but little did I know my day was going to go from good to just about as bad as I can get.

I walked through the front door of our house and my mom was sitting on the couch in the living room. I wasn’t sure where my brother and sister were at the time but my mom had called me in to sit with her for a while. She wasn’t smiling nor did she seem upset so I couldn’t tell what it was she wanted to talk to me about.

“What’s up mom?”

“I had something I need to talk to you about.”

I was beginning to wonder if she knew things about Em and I or would perhaps steer the conversation into that direction. I learned a long time ago that if I was maybe in trouble for something and was unsure what for, it was always best to stay cool and to keep my mouth shut until it was time. Now was not the time yet so I just listened to what she had to say first.

“I’m not sure if you noticed but your dad has been awful busy these days with work.”

The truth was I did notice. Even between school and spending time with Em, dad seemed like he was always at work and when he was home he was eating then off to bed.
“Yeah, I noticed. We hardly ever see him anymore it seems.”

“Well. That is because they have been having him training for a promotion. A very good promotion.” she emphasized.

“Well that’s a good thing, right?”

That’s a good way to look at it I suppose. Besides the extra pay and responsibility, it’s also going to mean another change. A major change.” Again she emphasized major change.

“Like what kind of change?” I asked cautiously.

“Like a move.”

“A move where?”

“Australia.”

Shit! The other shoe had finally dropped.

“Australia!? I can’t move to Australia and leave my life behind.”

“You don’t really have much choice in the matter. The opportunity is too good to pass up and we aren’t about to leave you behind.”

“But you will make important decisions regarding my life without asking what I thought first? I have school here. I have friends and most importantly I have Emma. You are just going to be content with yourself tearing us apart?”

“I don’t like it anymore than you do but if you two love each other as much as you say you do then you can wait for each other until you are both old enough to do something about it.”

“Not exactly the answer I was looking for mom.”

I walked to the closet and pulled out my jacket.

“Where are you going?”

“For a walk.”

As I spoke those last words, I shut the door behind me, went around the house, to the back yard and over the fence. I hadn’t been to Paradise for ages since sixteen year olds tend to outgrow childhood hideouts, but honestly everybody needs a good quiet sanctuary from time to time and Paradise will never outgrow me.

Sitting in peaceful silence for quite a while feeling anything but at peace, I started to hear footsteps outside which was rather unusual until I heard my name being called. It was Emma. I tried to respond but I was too broke down and overcome with emotion to get the words out. It was almost as if it hit me hearing her voice that very soon I might never hear it again. Suddenly the door opened with Emma standing there relieved to have found me.

“I called your house looking for you. Your mom told me that you were upset and went for a walk…I figured you probably came here. What is wrong? She wouldn’t tell me.”

“We are being split up Em.”

Her brow wrinkled in concern as she came over and sat close to me.

“What do you mean, split up?”

I didn’t even like saying the words.

“I was just informed that dad got a promotion and we are moving. To Australia.”

Emma suddenly got the same look that I am pretty sure I gave when I was told the same thing earlier. I couldn’t fathom it and now she wasn’t able to either. I could see a tear starting to stream down her face and I held her tighter to me hoping she wouldn’t see me sharing her tears. I truly felt as if my life was coming to an end and I had no idea what I was going to do but I knew I had to do something. Her head was buried into my shoulder while I stroked her soft hair.

“What are we going to do Alex? I can’t let you leave me.”

“I have been sitting here trying to figure it out. Unfortunately the answers aren’t coming to me as I had hoped. We could run away but where would we go? I could ask about staying with a relative but my closest relatives live in another state so that would be defeating the purpose. Do I suck it up and go, make the best of it and try to see if a long distance relationship could work for a little while until we finish school and I could make my way back? I don’t like that option but it may be our only option.”

She was quiet for the longest time and even though I wasn’t able to see her face, I knew her well enough to know that she was weighing each of the options I just gave. Finally she spoke.

“Do you think we could survive a long distance relationship? I hate the thought of being away from you but you know I would wait for you to come back to me.”

“And I certainly don’t want anybody but you. I don’t know Em. We do spend an amazing amount of time together and it’s not like we are doing bad in school but we are at that age now. Maybe a little time is what we need to make sure we prepare ourselves for a future together.”

After a moment of silence, she finally raised her head and looked into my eyes.”

“I just want you to know that I love you and trust in you to do what you think you have to do. As long as I am still in your future.”

This is why I love this girl so much. I am neither master nor slave in her eyes. We are equals with the same thoughts, respect, trust, and love for each other. For several years, I have considered myself a spiritual being as opposed to a religious one. Our connection with each other has been so strong that I honestly believe that we are two souls who have lived many lives together and no matter what happens or where the heavens take us, we always and will always find our way back to each other. Hearing her utter those simple comforting words had been like an enormous weight lifted off my shoulders. I held her face in my hand and kissed her deeply.

With Emma’s love and understanding, I reluctantly accepted what was to know that we found each other once in life, we can certainly find each other again.

Moving day was quickly approaching and we would be leaving a few days after Em’s birthday so I wanted to make it as special as possible to help her with the departure.

She had invited me over to her house for a private party to celebrate her and Anna turning seventeen.