Opposites

“Jo-jo? Sweetie, you need to get up now!” Momma yelled, bursting through the door with a warm cup of coffee in her hand. A small groan left the younger girls mouth, and she became agitated when her mother opened the curtains to her bedroom.

“Mom! Just 10 more minutes please.” Her head snuggled deeper into her pillows, desperately trying to get away from the bright rays of light seeping into her bedroom. “No. I need you up now. It’s 9:30.” Jodie quickly emerges from her blankets. “9:30?!”

“Yes dear.” Her mother warns before continuing. “Your big day is finally here. I don’t want you to be late.” She walks towards her daughters bedside and gives her the energy drink. “Thank you, mom I appreciate it.” She was very tired to say the least. The unnerving anxiety still hasn’t settled in.

Then again, she hasn’t been to sleep in almost 18 hours.

Jodie tiredly shuffles to her bathroom, her fluffy slippers dragging along the hard marbled floor. She quickly turned the shower on and got undressed, making sure to grab her rag, along with her purple toothbrush and some toothpaste.

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“Is that the last of it?” Tyler, her best friend of 8 years asked as he trodded back into the house. He was covered in a thick layer of sweat, his breath labored as he wiped his forehead and sighed. “Yes. That seems to be about it. I really appreciate your help.”

“No problem.” He responded, his blue eyes twinkling in the light when he smiled. He was one of the most respectful, lighthearted teenagers she’s ever met. Over the years, he’s become more of a son to her. “Where is she?” He asked, walking into the kitchen to get a glass of water.

“She should be down any moment now.” She responded, pouring an ice cold cup of water. “I’m right here.” Her soft voice came from behind them, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her hair was down and out, laying smoothly against her loose fitting shirt.

“There she is!” Her smile widens, dimples on full display. “Are you ready for this?” Tyler teased, playfully pushing her shoulder. “I mean...yeah. I am a little scared though, but I’ll get used to it.” She announces, taking an apple from the fruit bowl on the counter before sitting on a stool.

“And I admire that about you.”

Her warm brown eyes lifted to meet Tyler’s. “Admire?” “Yeah, you’re strong.” he smiled. He knew the effect he had on Jodie. Even if it was subtle, she has always had a small crush on him. She was also slightly intimidated by him. He was 2 years older than her and always super protective.

She felt her face grow warm when he continued. “What I’m trying to say is...I’m proud of you. You’ve come far.” Her smile was genuine as she said “Thank you. So much-” “Am I interrupting something?” They almost jumped by her voice. “Mom, you have to stop doing that.”

“Sorry, guess I’m just really excited. Anywho...you ready?” No she wasn’t ready. She really wanted to go back into her room and curl herself into a ball. The idea of being in a dorm with thousands of other students terrified her. It was 3x the amount of students she’d had at her other college.

“Yeah.” She huffed, grabbing her small book bag off of the counter.

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Momma got into the car and started it up as Jodie and Tyler said their goodbyes. “So, this is it. Huh?” Jodie smiled, lightly throwing her purse into the front seat. “Tyler, you’re saying all this as if you’re never gonna see me again.”

“Hey. Who knows?” They both smiled and she gave him a long warm hug. Tyler towered her, so her face was pressed against his chest. She heard the low rumble of him mumbling something along the lines of “You be safe. I’ll always be available so feel free to give me a call.”

“I will. I’ll see you around. And thank you. For everything. And I mean it.” Tyler gave her one last smile, the slight feeling of a loss eating away at his chest. Who was he gonna talk to now? Who was he gonna be able to come to for advice?

Jodie has always been by his side for the past 8 years straight. They’ve been by each others sides through their highs and lows, in addition they’ve seen each other at their tip top best. The whole beauty about their friendship was the loyalty and humbleness.

They told each other everything and was very protective of one another.

There were perks of having a friend like Jodie. She always gave the best advice, she was very considerate and was downright an angel. Well at least to him. But now there was a new chapter starting in her life, and he would just have to deal with it.