Broken

• Chapter 5 •

"CLEMENTINE!"

I come out of my room in a haze, I've been packing up my things all night and barely got some shut-eye. It's six in the morning. Mom and dad stand at my front door. What on God's green earth is going on here?

"What's up? What are you guys doing here so early?" I rub my eyes.

"We stayed up all night thinking and we talked to Ella and Daario. As you may know, Ella is the principle of Eric's school. And we've been talking... And..."

My heart drops, is she about to say what I think she's about to say?

"We've decided to let you go to school," she tells me with a grin.

My heart flutters, this has got to be a joke. "Oh my God. Are you—are you serious?"

Dad smiles brightly and nods his head, "And guess the best part! I got to change your last name for you!" my smile immediately drops.

"... What did you do?" I frown at him.

He grins like a little boy and nudges mom, who proceeds to roll her eyes at him. "Not of importance at the moment. You can't tell anyone who you are. And tell Eric he can't tell anyone either," she warns me.

This is really happening. I'm going to a real school. Holy shit.

"Does Eric know?"

"Nope, we thought you'd want to tell him."

I smile so hard that my face starts to hurt, "I have a phone call to make!" I shriek as I scurry away from them. I pause and turn back for a moment, grinning like a lunatic.

I run to them and wrap my arms around them, "Thank you!" I yell as I rush back to my room and pull out my phone.

"... Hello?"

"Hey shithead, guess what?" I bite my lip in excitement.

"... Minty. It's three in the morning. You better be dying," Eric whines in a raspy voice.

I laugh, "Right. Time difference, I forgot. This is important though so wake up!"

"Fine, damn. I'm up, what's going on?"

"Ask me again, what you ask every week."

There's a pause, I hear him shuffle, as thought sitting up. "Minty..."

I grin, "Ask."

He takes a breath, his voice is almost a whisper, "Are you coming home anytime soon?"

"Yes."

It's quiet for a beat, "Do not play with me right now."

"It's no joke, I'm moving back to LA!"

"I—oh my God. I don't even know what to say... Dude, that's amazing!"

"It's not all, I'm coming to your school. Like a real fucking school! But you can't tell anyone who I am."

"No way... Your parents are cool with that?"

"Yep. They talked to your parents and everything! I'm actually scared to know what dad changed my last name to..."

He laughs, "Damn, I totally wanted to show off my famous best friend to all my friends. Shame, you're useless now."

I snort, "Shut up."

He chuckles and changes his voice back to a serious one, "Seriously, Minty that's amazing... I can't wait to see you. When are you coming?"

"Our flight's tomorrow morning. I've been packing all night," I sigh deeply.

He pauses, "That's so soon Minty, and so random?" He almost sounds panicked.

"I know, I know, but I'm so excited to come back. I can't believe I get to see you again."

"Wow... You're going to join society. Don't worry, I'll be here to navigate you through the hell-hole they call high school," he reassures me.

"Greatly appreciated. I'll let you go back to sleep now," I tell him.

There's a pause at the end of the line, I can feel his smile through the phone. "Good night, Minty..."

I bite my lower lip and bow my head to the floor, smiling despite myself. "Night, Eric..."

Deep breath.

I sink into bed to try and get back to sleep but end up daydreaming about how Eric and I's first interaction would be. I'll walk into school, he'll be with a few of his buddies... He'll spot me, stop mid-conversation and run towards me. I'll jump into his arms, he'll tell me how much he missed me. It'll be like a dramatic movie.

Would he kiss me? I blush at the idea. Wow, I'm pathetic.

I've never been kissed before. We liked each other when we were younger, but we were only children. Part of me still clings onto my feelings for him. He's the only true friend I have. He's hilarious and caring and loyal. It would be weird if I hadn't developed feelings for him.

I wonder what he looks like now. I'm not allowed to have any social media, and unfortunately, his socials are private. So I can't even stalk him. I recall his beautiful bright eyes, his lop-sided grin that melts any girl's insides, his dark hair... He was a pretty cute kid.

I'm sure my feelings would remain the same no matter what he looked like. He's Eric, he's my Eric.

I smile sheepishly at my pathetic fantasies and cringe at how much of a girl I'm being. Soon enough, I fall into a blissful sleep.