Chapter 43

Annie's POV

I laid face down on my pillow and cried silently. I knew Evan didn't mean the things he said but it still hurt. I wanted him to be more understanding and hold me before I left but he lashed out at me instead. Stupid Evan...

Someone knocked on my door lightly. Did he come here to apologize? But to my disappointment, it was his mom.

"Mike is here to see you. Are you up for a visitor? I can tell him to leave if you want?" she asked me.

"No, it's okay, he can come in," I said. Maybe talking to him will make me feel better.

"Hey, Annie. Evan told me you were leaving so I wanted to come see you before that," Mike said. He sounded sad.

"Evan is mad at me and he hates me for leaving. Do you feel the same way?" I said quietly.

Mike came closer and pulled me into a hug. "No of course not. But I wish you weren't leaving. I am going to miss you," he whispered.

"I will miss you too. I wish things were different," I said.

"Me too," he said. "I gotta go but maybe we will see each other one day," he said. His voice was so gentle it made me want to cry. I nodded and we hugged goodbye.

I wondered what would my life be like without these people around. Things were starting to get better for me and now I was going to live with someone I barely knew. What if my grandmother was just as cruel as my mother? Or worse? I guess I had no choice but to find out for myself.

I laid back down on the bed and closed my eyes. I started to think about Evan. Don't stay mad at me for too long, Evan, I thought to myself and drifted into sleep.

Mike's POV

I went to see Evan in his room. He was sitting and moping around with a dark expression on his face.

"Annie thinks you hate her," I said.

"I don't give a fuck about her," he barked.

"You and I both know that's a lie. She is leaving tomorrow. You might never see her again so are you sure this is how you wanna treat her?" I asked. He was being childish and he needs to stop.

"What's it to ya? If she hates me it's probably good for you, right?" he said and glared at me.

I was annoyed. Why can't he stop being a jerk for one minute? "Don't make me punch you on the throat, you little shit. This isn't about what you and I want. It's about her and she loves you. You have no right to treat her this way," I said.

Sadness enveloped his face. He looked at me. "Does that mean you are giving up on her?" he asked.

"No," I smirked.

"Fucker..." he mumbled under his breath.

It doesn't matter because she is moving away now," I sighed.

"Whatever, I just want to be alone so see yourself out," Evan said and waved goodbye. I left his house. He had always been such a stubborn kid. He wouldn't even back down for the girl he loved.

I was trying to act tough on purpose so neither of them realizes how I really felt about this whole situation. I was overwhelmed with sadness when I heard about her leaving. For some reason, I always expected to be around her ever since we met. She wasn't like any other girl in my school. She was sweet, quirky, and beautiful. Even though she chose Evan over me, I still had a small amount of hope left at the bottom of my heart.

This couldn't be the end. Maybe I will see her again.

Evan's POV

I woke up with a start. What time is it? I thought and looked at the clock that read 2 P.M. Wait...is it the next day already? I don't even remember falling asleep.

Annie.....

I thought of her instantly. Today was the day she was supposed to be leaving. I sprung out of my bed and quickly freshened up. Did she leave already? Did I lose my Annie without being able to say goodbye?

I ran to her bedroom and burst open the door but the room was empty and all of her stuff was gone.

NO! I screamed in my head.

"Evan? You are awake," My mom spoke behind me suddenly. I turned around to face her.

"Where is she? Where's Annie?" I asked.

Sadness enveloped her face. "I am sorry honey. She left with her grandma early in the morning. I wanted to wake you up but Annie begged me not to. She said it would be too hard for both of you," she said.

"That's fucking ridiculous! She can't leave without saying goodbye!" I cried. "How could you let her go without telling me? What is wrong with you?" I gripped her shoulders.

"Evan, please...calm down. It's too late. She is probably halfway down to Florida already," mom winced.

"Florida? Is that where she is going? I will go there if I have to. Tell me where she lives," I insisted. I knew I was being emotional and somewhat irrational but I didn't give a fuck.

Mom sighed. "I don't know, honey. Her grandma didn't tell me where she lives. She thanked me for helping her and said she would keep in touch. I don't know anything else. I think it's best to just forget about her and let her live her new life. This place gave her a lot of bad memories, so don't you think it's best for her to start fresh somewhere else?" she said then hugged me and rubbed my back gently.

I hugged her back and held back my tears. She was gone. My little hamster was gone.