Forever

A very long friendship

      I was friends with him for a very long time. Best friends since we were three years old. He was also my neighbor, so we saw each other everyday. I grew up with him. Pay attention to the past tense. We were always so close , we ought to be after being best friends for over a decade. I still remember all of the times we hung out, and how we never had a huge argument. If we did it would be over the little things like what flavor ice cream to buy or what movie to watch. We were so close that I miss it so much sometimes. As we were growing up we both knew that he has a beautiful voice and that he wants to sing and I want to design. But here in New York it's kinda hard to be discovered. You will have to be really good. It's not that he isn't because he has the most beautiful voice ever. I was being realistic, I didn't want to see him disappointed. I would hate to see his hopes up. I told him that but at the same time I was encouraging him to go after his dreams. I just wanted to protect him, surely you get that right? Today it's February 8,2017. And it's been a long time since he left me. Not like that, here let me explain.

     On September 13, 2015 he was in the first episode of La Banda, when he left me to go audition before the first episode aired. I remember everything, I remember that we had a huge argument. Earlier that September I was in my room watching tv. He came bursting into my room and he appeared with a grin on his face. Before that day I have never seen him any more happy than he was at that moment. At least when I cheered him up when he was down. I know Richard and on that day I couldn't quite tell why he was so happy.

 "Ella," He began. Oh! Forgot to tell you that my name is Daniella but he calls me Ella, no one else. 

"What?" I asked and paused the tv and turned to pay attention to him.

"I have a chance and that is all that matters." He said 

"Richard what are you talking about?" I asked with concern. "Should I be worried?"

"No! Dani don't worry, this is good news trust me."

I stared at him and I knew that I did trust him. So I told myself that everything will be okay. 

"Ok... what is it?"I asked.

He looks down at me and he kneels down at me.

"I have a chance and that is all what matters."

I gasped. I knew where this was going. My biggest fear kicked in and my eyes were starting to water up.

"Are you leaving me?" I whispered. A tear fell down my cheek.

"No, Ella never. I just have a chance to take, well my brother and I do."

Ugh, I have problems with Yashua Camacho. He would always mess with me, but anyways that's a different story.

"What is it?" I asked and wondered what was making Richard so happy.

"Well, there will be a reality tv show in Miami, Florida. A spanish singing competition that will make a band at the end. I could be in that band."

He stood up and grabbed my hands and pulled me up. We were standing in front of each other. He grabbed my shoulders.

"Dani? Say something!"

My tears evaporated and I got angry and said things that I wish I had never said. But at that moment I didn't care and said them.,

"No! Richard Camacho, don't you dare get your hopes up and be happy about this! You know I hate seeing you disappointed. I don't want to see you with crushed dreams, disappointed, filled with regrets, saying what you should have done or said. "

My voice was rising but again I didn't care that day. I didn't want to see him get hurt. Then I didn't really care. I didn't want to see him get with dreams crushed. I care about him and I loved the fact that he was following his dreams, I supported him. I think that I always will.

"Ella, I'm not, well trying not to. This is a big deal and you would do the same thing if you got a chance to rise a designer. And I have a slight chance of being chosen. If I don't then ok, I have to least try. If I lose then ok, it wasn't meant to be, but I have to try.

By the time he finished saying that I had tears streaming down my face. But I quickly wiped them away. 

"I want you be safe, you know that right? You understand me right? So please don't go, don't leave me."

Richard backed away and he looked disappointed, he almost had a face of disgust but at me.

"I thought that you would support me you always do. Just like I support you. You tell me to chase me to chase my dreams but to be careful. Now that I have a chance you won't?" He looks at me his eyes looking deep into mine and at that point I knew that his face was filled with disgust. " Wow, I thought we were best friends. That we support each other with everything, but I guess I was wrong."

I look to the other side of the room and I looked out the window. What he said got to me, it triggered me. I got so mad that I said things that I regret even more. 

"We aren't anymore, you were wrong and I won't support you on this. And if you lose don't come to me. I don't want to see you anymore." 

He looked at me but I didn't turn around. I kept looking at the window. I saw my dog Susie outside. I knew that my mom was outside with her. She was taking Susie outside to use the bathroom.

I stayed silent and I continued looking out the window.

"Fine," He said. "It doesn't matter if you support me on this. It doesn't matter if you believe in me, you know why? Because I believe in myself and that is all that matters." 

He walked out and slammed my door and until I heard his footsteps walk away I slunk on the floor and was I silent. I couldn't believe that, that this just happened. But it did. I was thinking how this was the first actual fight we had. Until an hour or so after I began crying. No sobbing, yeah I was sobbing. I told myself that's it he is leaving and not coming back. Not for a really long time. I slammed my fist down on the floor. Wooden floor, I might add. My parents heard me and they started to try to comfort me, but I pushed them away. I acted like I was 14 and told them to leave me the hell alone. I had never curse in front of my parents but I did that afternoon. I remember how they just looked at each other my dad- always the calm one in my family, he just moved his head toward the door. He told my mom in that moment that they should leave and not do anything rationally that I was just upset. I was- still am so grateful for him. Especially on that day, that day of horror. That twisted day. 

About three days later, I was in my room. I didn't leave my room only to use the bathroom and get food and eat in my room. My parents knew what was going on and didn't say anything. Anyways I was staring out my window, looking at my driveway. Richard's car well his dad's car was parked and they were all outside in my lawn saying goodbye to my parents. They were all leaving to Richard and Yashua's audition. The day I dreaded the most, the day where Richard would physically leave me. I saw Richard hugging my mom and my dad hugging Yashua. Then Richard still knowing me, he looked up to my bedroom window he smiled and waved. I was still, I didn't smile, wave, nothing. I stayed still, I didn't rush down to say goodbye or good luck to them. I just stayed there watching Richard walk into the car and drive off. This time I didn't cry.

About maybe a week later I was watching tv. To be more specific I was watching Richard and Yashua's audition. When I saw him appear on that stage, I knew that this is where he belonged. As the days flew by of watching him on La Banda, I couldn't possibly be more proud when he performed and when he won December 13, 2015. I was proud of him for achieving his dream. They only thing that I am doing for mine is going to college and having this internship with Best. A clothing brand because they literally have all the best clothing. I still remember when Richard and I would play. A game where I would sew and Richard would sing. I got a dress that my mom didn't want anymore and made a whole new outfit. Richard would be my model. But he didn't mind. I ought to remember that day, any day where we would hang out. Years worth of being each others best friend. 

~Hey guys this is my first story, hope whoever is actually reading this. Thank you and I hope you enjoyed reading this.~