As We Part by: Annie Noel

In the small town of Jacksonville, everyone knows each other and their business, because of this, four strangers became best friends as children. Ariana Broussard, a kind hearted and independent girl, is the town's sweetheart. Her blonde, curly hair frames her face and her brown eyes are always scrunched in laughter. Her best friend Victoria Berry, has intense green eyes that stare straight into your soul, and red hair that resembles flames. Chase Buble is tall and lanky, with curly hair that can only be described as wild and curly. Wyatt Sheeran is tan with black hair in an intricate quiff. They've grown up together, but now the comfortable normality of their lives will change.

Wyatt looks down the hall with an intense stare of longing. Ariana throws her head back laughing at what seems to look like the most funny joke ever told. Chase looks back to his so called best friend and smirks. The smirk seems to tell him that he will never get Ariana, no matter what. He scoffs and turns around to see Victoria standing right behind him.

"It's not going to happen Wy."

"You don't know anything Victoria, okay?" Victoria rolls her eyes.

"I am her best friend and she is madly in love with Chase. He is everything you are not and he doesn't have that pesky anger management problem." Wyatt's face starts to turn a rose color and he starts to stomp off. Victoria grabs his arm.


"I'm here though Wy. We could be something."

"Sorry but I'd rather not date someone who has no brain matter." She gasps and storms off, faltering in her high heels. Wyatt starts down the hall towards his car. He opens the door and slams it a little too hard. He starts to blast a loud rock song through his booming speakers. His phone beeps and he steals a glance. It's from Chase and says, Practice is canceled. Wanna hang out. Wyatt texts back, As long as Ariana is not there. He receives no response, but still pulls into Chase's driveway.

He walks into the house without knocking and starts up the stair. He rounds the corner to the game room sees that his fears have been confirmed, Ariana is here. She flips her golden blonde hair and giggles. She looks up at Wyatt and her smile falters.

"Oh..hey bro!" Chase jumps off the couch and his face has that familiar smirk. He embraces Wyatt in the classic "bro hug". Ariana jumps up also to give him a quick peck on his cheek and Wyatt's heart flutters. He takes a seat on the couch and Ariana stands in front of the tv.

"Babe, c'mon I can't see the game." Chase sighs as his character dies and his controller vibrates.

"Since you guys are two of my best friends, I have something to tell you guys." Silence covers the room. "I'm moving at the end of the month- "A collective gasp is heard in the room. "I have to go though, um I will see you guys tomorrow yeah?" Ariana walks out the door and shuts the door.

"Well I guess that is my cue to go." Wyatt starts to leave when Chase yanks him back down to the couch.

"Just remember even though she might be leaving, she is still mine. And will always be." Chase waves his hand to dismiss Wyatt. Wyatt scoffs and leaves shutting the door loudly. He stomps down the stairs, his anger boiling over. He peels out the driveway, muttering words to himself. As soon as he gets home, he throws himself on his bed and goes to sleep.


The next week goes by quickly, an example of how mundane life is in the small town of Jacksonville. The last week of the month finally arrives and Ariana mopes around the halls. Chase and Ariana rarely talk anymore and Ariana wants to put a stop to it. She tries to confront him in the halls, but he simply walks away. That night she shows up at his house unexpectedly and knocks on the door. His mother opens his door and lets her in. Chase is where he usually is, downstairs on the couch. She sits down next to him and yanks the earphones off his head.

"What the? Ariana, I was in the zone! I had a major kill streak!" Ariana rolls her eyes realzing another reason she should end this relationship.

"Chase, it's done okay? I can't do this. I know I'm moving but that is no excuse to ignore me."

"Wyatt might get a chance with you now and babe I can't let that happen," says Chase sitting up and getting an intense look in his eyes.

"I'm not a prize to be won. I'm bringing the rest of my stuff to our new house tomorrow and that includes me. Please don't text me."

Chase thinks about going after her, but realizes it is no use. He picks up his phone in simple anger and texts Wyatt, Ari broke up w/me but shes levin tmrw so that stinx for u!! He might not have her anymore but at least Wyatt won't either, he thinks.

That night, Ariana invites Victoria to her house for a last sleepover.

"I know we've had our ups and downs girl, but I'm glad we can end up on the same page."

Ariana looks hopefully at her best friend. Her green eyes still intimidate her even after knowing the girl her whole life. Her red hair falls down her back sleekly, without a flaw. She was always the one to beat and Ariana hopes she will let her guard down at least once.

"Of course Ari! You're my best friend ever! And even though you're moving, it won't change!" Victoria giggles and hugs her friend.

"Good! Well you see..me and Chase broke up today. I couldn't stand his attitude towards me and the relationship."

"You go girl...boys are stupid anyways!" Victoria feels bad for manipulating her so called best friend, but she never really liked having friends in the first place. The rest of the night continues with meaningless chatter until the wee hours in the "mornin". Victoria manages to give Ariana her most genuine goodbye, and almost starts to tear up when the truck leaves.

"I might have actually liked her." Victoria jumps in her car and proceeds on her way home.

Months pass and Chase realized he took Ariana for granted. He truly needed her in his life to make up for the dark and possessive side of his personality. His grades started to drop and he was kicked off the lacrosse team. He started to spiral downward and dropped out of school. Wyatt tried to help but it didn't work and he gave up.


10 YEARS LATER

The clique reunited at their reunion. They were shocked at how their separate lives had worked out. Victoria had followed her true passion of becoming an actress and had moved to L.A. She had gotten her big break on a show about life in Hollywood. Chase had never left their small town and coaches the sports teams. Wyatt and Ariana ended up at the same college and fell in love. They were married with 2 kids, Sydney and Chris. When they all came together, their ages had disappeared and at heart, were still the innocent and fun teenagers they used to be.