2010's Best Writer Contest/ROUND 1/Julia

All eyes darted to the clock on the wall in room 71 of Bridge Water's Middle School.  Just one minute until 3:00, just one minute until summer vacation.  One girl in particular, a petite brown haired girl named Celina, was overly anxious for her traditional first day of summer pool party that would take place directly in 31 minutes. 

DING! DING! DING!

"Wooooooo!" The eighth grade class cheered and jumped up out of their desks.  They threw all their filler paper around the school as they dashed for their last bus ride as a middle schooler. 

Celina, after gathering her belongings from her locker, slammed it shut and sprinted outside to meet with her best friend, Grace, on the bus line. 

Breathing heavily, she finally made it across the school yard, which was extra crowded.  "Grace!" Celina yelled when she caught sight of the back of a familiar looking red head.  "Grace!"

Grace slowly turned around when Celina arrived.  Out of breath, Celina grabbed Grace's shoulders and shook her. 

"Grace!  Can't wait for our par-tay!  Invite whoever, I don't care!  Just, I can't wait!"  Celina sput out much too quickly.  Grace finally looked up to meet her friend's gaze after scrutinizing both girl's shoes.  "What's wrong?"  Celina abruptly quieted her voice to a whisper. 

"It's nothing."  Grace turned sideways, facing the busses. 

"What is it?  Why are you upset?"  Celina still had her hands on Grace's shoulders.  "Tell me."

"It's just that, I....I..."  Grace sighed disappointingly. 

"Grace?"  Celina implored. 

"Celina, it's just that I'm moving, ok!" Grace shouted causing Celina's hands to drop immediately to her side. 

"What?"  Celina's eyes widened in confusion. 

Grace sighed.  "Celina, remember when I told you that my dad lost his job...."  Grace's voice trailed off as she recalled the devestating memory. 

"I remember."  Celina whispered. 

"Well, he found a new one.  But it's far away.  Actually it's up in Connecticut."  Grace stared back down at her feet unable to watch her friend realize what that meant. 

"But, Connecticut is... that's really far away, Grace."  Her eyes looked up at her friend's pale face. 

"I know.  But, we have no choice.  None of us wants to leave North Carolina.  Really, none of us.  Even my dad.  But, we have to, Celina.  And real soon." 

Grace had a small house, but it was always filled with sweet smelling pastries from her father's bakery down town.  Celina remembered the last time she had been there though.  They were having a garage sale of all the toys and what was left of the small cakes and cookies. 

"When?"  Celina demanded still quietly.

"Four days."  Grace straightened her mouth into a broad line. 

"Why didn't you tell me sooner!"  Celina was outraged.  "And I'm guessing you can't come over cause you gotta pack!  Make me feel bad, now!  Thanks alot!  You ruined my last day, Grace!"  Celina crossed her arms across her chest and ran onto her bus.  She slumped down in a two seater and stared back at her middle school and her former best friend, still sad.  Grace wiped her eyes with her thumb and looked back at Celina.  Celina quickly turned her head away and stayed that way.  But as the bus began to roll away, Celina unfolded her arms and looked at Grace with a tear in her eye, for the last time.