Lit Device Short Story

Hi. My name is Ali and I live in California. I’m here to tell you all about my summer going into 10th grade. It was a very hot Wednesday, about 95 degrees, in the beginning of June. Usually on a nice day like this, I would be with my best friend, Jessica, doing whatever fun activity she had planned for us. The only time we weren’t together, were the few days I went to New York to see my grandparents, or when Jessica went to her dad’s house 45 minutes away every Sunday.  Wednesday, was our favorite day of the week. Every Wednesday night at 7:00 in the summer, the ice cream truck comes to my neighborhood. As the truck rolls up playing its music as annoying as a baby crying, we discuss what we want to get despite our orders being the same every time. Jessica would always get a colorful snowcone and finish eating it before I could even blink. In fact, that’s just the kind of person Jessica was. She was the friend in our relationship who was always in a hurry to move onto the next adventure or the next phase of her life. With Jessica, it was practically impossible to be bored. I, on the other hand, I would get a malt cup and eat it at what I considered to be an average pace, because that’s the kind of person I was. Always, the easy friend who would just go with the flow. I really didn’t mind though, it’s not like Jessica was forcing me to hang out with her. We had a well balanced friendship. After we ate our ice cream, we would usually stay out late at the beach or just walk around until one of our parents said that we had to go home. Although we wished to stay out longer, we never argued with our parents because both of us knew that the next day would consist of fun and more laughter. Well, at least we thought this way.

When I woke up Wednesday morning, I checked my phone for a message from Jessica with our plan for the day. Nope, nothing yet. I figured she was still sleeping, so I texted her to let me know when she wakes up, and then I went downstairs. My mom made me eggs and I drank freshly squeezed orange juice from the fridge. After I ate breakfast, I watched tv on the couch while I waited for a text from Jessica. When I read that it was 12:00am, I became slightly worried. Jessica was always up at about 10:30am to get her day started. I texted her a bunch of times, but got no replies. I got dressed as quick as a cheetah, and ran to the garage. I hopped on my bike as it took control of me and I let it carry me all the way to Jessica’s house. When we got there, I was shocked and devastated by what I saw. Blocking my view of her house, was a large white truck with the words, “Stan’s Moving Company” written in big black letters across it. My heart sank to my feet. I barely managed to ride home. I couldn’t believe my best friend was moving.

When I got to my house, I finally got a message from Jessica that read,

Dear Ali,

I didn’t want to tell you in person partially because I was still trying to convince my parents                                                                                                           to let me stay here, and partially because I didn’t want to spend the last couple of days with you upset. My parents got a job in Ecuador, which is where we will be moving. I left at 10:00pm last night but as we drove past your house on the way to the airport, I dropped something off for you underneath your porch mat. Unfortunately, the phone service in Ecuador is not great, but I will try to contact you when ever I can. I will miss you so much and I hope we can get together soon. Just because I’m leaving doesn’t mean you can’t have the best summer ever. Have fun! I’ll miss you more than you know.

I was even more upset after reading the letter, because it proved that she really did move and that I wasn’t just worrying myself for nothing. I couldn’t believe I wouldn’t see my best friend ever again. I ran into my room and locked the door. It was about 7:00pm when I finally came out of my bedroom. I had almost forgotten about what she had put under my porch mat. I sprinted down the stairs and out the door to find half of a necklace with another note.

Dear Ali,

It’s me again. I have the other half of the necklace you are looking at. As long as we both always wear it, we will always be together no matter the distance. I miss you already!

Xoxo, Jessica.

I put on the necklace with a smile on my face. Right now, it is August 18. Tomorrow I will be starting school. Although it will be different without Jessica, if I survived the summer without her, I know I can survive anything.