Once Upon A December.

Numbness was all I felt as I shoved my hands into my pockets.

December had always been our favorite month. The holidays were usually a time for
celebration for my family. We'd always have company over, relatives coming from far and
wide just to get together and share good company. Our house was always the most
decorated, our tree the most beautiful, our star the brightest. Our stockings
were always overflowing, and our meals were hearty and hot. The weather was freezing,
but it always seemed as if smiles and hearts were warmer than any other time of year.

But this year was different.

This year as I felt the snowflakes melt on my eyelashes and cheeks, I wasn't filled
with hope. I blinked them away and huddled further into my coat. Faint Christmas
music drifted through the night air, and I gazed upon the rows and rows of houses
gleaming reds and greens and golds. I wondered why I wasn't angry, why my eyes
refused to let the endless tears escape. Instead I felt numb--numb like my wet feet
trudging through the hard snow toward the playground I'd designated as our
meeting spot. Keely would be waiting for me there. I clenched my fists into
tiny balls at my hips, coming to the realization that she might be the closest
thing to family I had anymore. Parents and siblings with no heartbeats
didn't account for much.

And there it was, the burning feeling that brought hot stains to my cheeks and
chin. I didn't want to have to say goodbye to her too. I swallowed hard as I
passed her house, which was only a few houses down from my own. I'd
spent every Christmas I could remember by her side. Her parents were good
friends of my parents, always over for dinner and get-togethers. They had
stood next to me during the funeral, putting their hands on my shoulders
and fussing over my hair and clothes--anything to keep their hands and
minds busy. I could tell they wanted to be strong for me, but I noticed
their tears. I didn't want to say goodbye to such wonderful people. I
probably wouldn't stop by later on.

As I neared the park, my eyes slowly focused on a slim figure in the
distance. Blonde and grief stricken. My best friend and sister. I struggled
to regain my composure, blinking away the stinging in my eyes.

Tonight I would spend the last few hours I had left here with her. We'd
promised each other we would try to act normal, but now that the time
had come I didn't think I had the strength. Goodbyes were painful, and I had
a limited amount of time before my new guardians would come to retrieve me.
My new guardians were my godparents. They'd been around a bit when I was
little, but I hadn't seen them in at least 10 years. They lived 3 hours away in a
city I'd never been to, and they had a son who was my age.

I stiffened, swallowing the lump in my throat as I approached my best friend.
This didn't seem real.

((SO! My character Emiko--or Emi for short--is moving away. Her parents
and little brother perished in a car accident, and she is going to live with her
godparents. For now I just need someone to play Keely as they say their
goodbyes, but I really need someone to play the son of the people Emi is going
to live with. I'm hoping he can help her heal, and maybe a romance can blossom.
Anyone can join!!))

The pained expression on my best friend's face was like a hammer to my heart.
I didn't want to go either. How many more people would life subject me to losing??
I brought a hand to my chest to reassure myself there was still something beating inside.

"KeeKee, don't cry..." I managed to choke out, and I immediately wrapped my arms
around the shivering girl. I could feel as sobs threatened to wrack her body, and I
swallowed the lump that was now rising in my throat. Three hours was a long ways
away, but maybe the two of us could take the train to visit each other sometimes.
At least, I hoped that's how it would work out.


((Thanks for joining!!))

We will see each other again, right?

Another dagger pierced my heart. There was nothing I wished for more, and
even though I was leaving I still imagined us being close. She'd been my best
friend since I was a small child, and no amount of distance could change that.

"Of course we'll see each other again," I reassured her, struggling to steady
my wavering voice. "There's a train that comes and stops right through here.
It's a long ride, but it's doable. And I can come spend weekends here sometimes,
and maybe you can come visit me too."

Visit me. I disliked the way that sounded. I instantly began to wonder about
my new foster family and whether or not they were as nice as I remembered.
They wouldn't mind if a friend came to visit, would they? I hoped not.

"I'll be far, but I'll still be able to see you. And we can talk on the phone every day
and I'll tell you what the new city is like. I promise to take lots of pictures."


((Thanks for joining!!))

"You would never lose me completely, don't be silly," I reassured her, pulling
her in for another hug. "Really, the train ride can't be that bad."

It didn't matter either way if the train ride was long or short, I would do
whatever it took to visit her. And during summer vacation we could spend
lots of time together. At least, that's what I hoped.

"Besides, we're both seventeen. In a year we'll be able to go wherever
we want! You better save up money, and I will too. We can move in and
get a place together so we'll never be too far," I laughed, trying my best
to lighten the situation. I casually looked at my phone, checking the time
and holding back a frown. I'd have to get going very, very soon....


((Finally replied!!))

I also heard the faint whistle of the train in the distance, and I released my
hold on my friend and took a step back.

"Here, I want you to have this..." I reached behind my neck and unclasped
my necklace, placing it in KeeKee's palm and closing her fingers over it. It
was the necklace I'd lost in the snow when I was much littler, the necklace
she had found and returned to me--the reason we had the chance to
become such amazing friends.

"You better take care of it!" I teased, flashing her a huge smile, though I
struggled to hold back the hot tears that threatened to spill once again.
I had to be strong.

"Promise you'll keep it until we move in together, okay?"

((Finally replied!!))

I heard another whistle, this time closer, and I let out a heavy breath and
picked up my suitcase. She was right, I needed to get going or I was going
to miss my train, and I'm sure my godparents wouldn't be too pleased...

I wondered if they were as nice as I remembered. It had been so long, I
barely remembered their faces. I did remember the little boy I used to play
with a long time ago, though--their son. I wondered if he was nice or was
just another punk like a lot of the guys here.

"KeeKee, say goodbye to your parents for me? Tell them I'm sorry I didn't
stop by, but I will be back to visit and I appreciate everything they've done
for me and letting me stay these past few weeks. You'll tell them, right?"

This time the tears flowed freely down my cheeks, and I bit my lip in an
attempt to fight the urge to cry again. I'd been crying too much lately. I
grabbed my friend and gave her another tight hug, pausing momentarily
before letting go and picking up my suitcase once again.

"I gotta go. Wanna walk me?"

(( ))

"Can I tell you a secret?" I asked, my voice hushed and visible breath
billowing through the icy air. I paid attention to the sounds of crunching
snow beneath every step we took, trying to memorize every sound and
smell I could as we made our way to the station. I didn't want to forget
this place, my home...

"I'm nervous about living with my god parents...I know I remember
them being very nice, but I haven't seen them since I was a little kid.
What if I hate it there??"

I bit my lip once again and blinked back tears, though the thought of
leaving to live with strangers made me want to cry.

(( ))

I wrinkled my nose in displeasure at her reaction, but I couldn't help but
smile at my friend's echoing laughter.

"Genius, I have to stay until I'm 18. And I JUST turned seventeen," I sighed,
kicking a rock that laid in my path. "They do have a son my age though...I
wonder what he's like."


(( ))

"Yeah, he's the same age as me. We grew up together, but it's been a while,"
I explained, hearing another whistle in the distance. I gave my friend a
disheartened look and reluctantly picked up my pace. I couldn't miss this train,
whether I secretly wanted to or not.

"He better be nice," I huffed, wrinkling my nose once again in displeasure.

(( ))

"And how could ANYTHING that's happening right now be a good thing??"
I snapped, immediately feeling guilty for raising my voice. It had been a
hard few weeks, with my parents passing and this relocation, not to mention
all the fake people coming up to me offering their 'condolences,' like they
actually ever cared in the past.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just still trying to adjust to all
this change," I apologized, interlocking my arm with hers. "Sorry..."

(( ))