leave you behind

chapter 1

Christmas Kids by Roar played in the background, best friends with the neighbour’s daughter, collecting seashells and painting nails. Summer had begun.

“Should I do a full baby pink set or different pastels?” the sun was shining through the window, leaves were blowing and the birds chirping. It was the perfect summer day, “Aria?” I look up to see her glued to her pointe shoes.

“Hm?” she doesn’t even look up from where her fingers are fidgeting. “I asked if I should do a set of baby pink or pastels?” I repeat, shoving the polishes in her face for her to see. “Uh, I’m not sure, just do whatever, they all look the same to me.”

“Light yellow and blue are the same?” I say sarcastically, rolling my eyes unamused. Aria was too focused on ballet, I wouldn’t blame her though, I was probably too into volleyball.

“Mira?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m going to head now,”

“What? But aren’t we supposed to be going to the beach?” It was only 1:30, “my mom should be home any minute, she can drive us.”

“Not feeling it, I’ll see you for graduation tomorrow,” Aria picked up her tote bag, slipped on her Crocs and left, leaving the front door hanging. I watched as she walks up the front porch of her house and goes inside.

Minutes later, I see her dressed in her ballet clothes, pointe shoes in hand and heading down the driveway to greet one of her ballet friends. I couldn’t remember her name, but I think Aria has been mentioning her a lot.

I watched them talk and laugh together for minutes until Mrs. Delaney’s car pulled into the driveway, both Aria and her ballet friend got into the car, sitting together in the back when surely Aria was allowed to sit in the passenger seat.

I waved goodbye as if they could see me, and as the car drove into a distance, I remembered her name.

Melody Garcia.