Least Romantic: Chapter Thirteen: Just Say Sorry

Ala's world exploded, like the snap of fingers, or a blink of the eye, everything disappeared.

Faces floated around her head, stupid things she'd said echoing around her. Everything she knew seemed to crash and burn. She wanted to scream, but didn't say anything until they'd pulled into the driveway.

"When?" She finally croaked.

"In a week and a half, but tomorrow will be your last day, sense Daddy and I's last day is tomorrow as well."

And again, her world disappeared. She'd nosed dived into her deepest thoughts. Lost in a maze of her own mind.

"We'll be near the beach, just like you've always wanted! Didn't you say you wanted to live near the ocean?"

"But- but I've always imagined being there with my friends." She suddenly realized how silly that was. Tears began to spill down her cheeks.

"Oh, Honey..." Her Mommy opened her door, and climbed into the back with Ala, hugging her, and rocking her back and forth. "Once you know how to read, you could be pen pals with them, won't that be fun?"

Ala didn't answer, she just cried more.

They sat like that for awhile, until Ala spoke, "I'll really miss them, Mommy."

"Of course you will, you wouldn't be human if you didn't."

Her Mommy brought her inside, and made some hot chocolate for Ala, even though it wasn't even winter.

A thought struck Ala, "Mommy, what day is it?"

"January fifteenth."

Never mind.

Ala didn't sleep well that night, getting only a couple hours of shut eye. When she woke up, Ala begged her Mommy to let her not go to preschool. She was on the ground, pleaded, face scrunched up and red, tears running down her cheeks, snot slipping down her nose into her mouth.

"ALA! Calm down this instant! Mommy and Daddy have to go to work!" Ala stopped screamed, but she was still curled up on the floor.

"If you don't get up now, you'll spend ten minutes in your room when you get home."

Ala pushed herself up, wiped her nose, and trudged to the car, dragging her feet in the dirt until her Mommy had to pick her up, and put her in the car.

Alright, Ala, calm down... It's fine, it won't be so bad. I'm sure some of those people laughing were laughing at Tiana... maybe.

When it seemed like Ala had stopped crying, her Mommy spoke. "Henrys Mom texted me, she asked if you and Henry wanted to have a play date sometime."

"Henry knows what he did." Ala grumbled, but she couldn't keep the whisper of hope from her voice.

"Honey, I've been thinking about what you've told me, and I have been wondering, did you hear the entire conversation?" Her Mommy asked.

Ala glanced up. "No." Her stomach tightened.

"Perhaps Tiana framed him. This is your last day here, I think you should try talking to him, listen to his side of the story?"

Ala looked down at her feet, suddenly feeling ashamed, it was an odd feeling, like being punched in the gut. She stiffened, "Even if you're right, and he was framed, he- he'll never forgive me for what I've said!"

"Just say sorry, and everything will be Okay."

Ala didn't say anything.

They pulled up into the parking lot, and with a heavy heart, she got out of the car, and walked into the building to the cafeteria.

There was a little giggling, and people acted like they were saving seats when Ala drew near, but it was a lot better than what Ala expected.

The only problem was Jenny.

Ala met her gaze, and Jenny shot Ala a long glare. Her Mommy saw her right before she left, and nudged Ala forward, before whispering in her ear. "Just say sorry," She said as she left.

Ala took a deep breath, and walked forward, her Mom's voice ringing in her ear.

Everyone except Jenny scooted away, pretending to be engaged in another conversation when Ala sat down.

"I'm sorry." She mumbled.

Jenny's face softened, "It's Okay, Ala, I just wish you listened to me."

Ala nodded, "I do too. You were right, I was an idiot, I was blinded by anger, I'm sorry."

They sat in silence for a bit, when Jenny turned to her. "We're friends again, right?" She asked, her face hopeful.

Ala grinned, "Of course!" She said, before remembering something, her smile sliding off her face.

"What is it?" 

"I'm- I'm moving!" She blurted out.

Jenny's eyes went wide. "You're... Moving?"

Ala nodded sadly. "Yes. I'm moving."

Jenny bit her lip, eyes watering, "But... We'll still be friends, right?"

Ala nodded, "Always."

They sat next to each other for the rest of the day, sticking together like glue. 

"You'll write to me, right?" Jenny asked, when Ala's Mommy started signing them out.

"I need to learn to read and write first... But maybe I can send you pictures!"

"Yeah!" They hugged, tears still in their eyes, but they wore them with a smile this time. Ala backed up to her Mommy, waving to Jenny, when she saw someone not to far away, watching her.

Henry.

He met her eyes, and took a step forward, Ala opened her mouth, the speech she'd thought up on the edge of her tongue.

Just say sorry. She thought.

She turned and walked away.