Jackie flung the door open. "What's wrong, Sweetheart? Are you ok? What's going on?"
"Brian!" Hayley said frantically. "Is Brian ok? What's wrong with Brian? Is it his heart?"
"Brian's fine!" Jackie smiled.
"Why didn't he come back to classes after he was called away?" Hayley asked, her heart pounding a tattoo in her chest.
"He didn't tell you?" Jackie's face fell.
"Tell me what?" Hayley asked warily.
"Brian's gone," Jackie said slowly.
"Well, where'd he go? When's he gonna get back? If he gets back before ten, will you have him call me?"
"He won't be back before ten. He won't be back for a long long time."
"What?" Hayley said, confused, following Jackie into the house.
"Have a seat, I'll get you your favorite," Jackie smiled. Brian always made sure they had black cherry-flavored carbonated water in the house for Hayley, it was her favorite.
"Ok," Hayley sighed. Brian was ok, apparently, but when would he be back, safe and sound in her arms?
Jackie sat down in the armchair across from Hayley after handing her the drink, and took a deep breath. "You remember Kevin, Brian's cousin, right?"
"Yeah, the tall guy with real dark hair and thin lips? Really sweet guy," Hayley nodded, then sat up straight, panicked. "He's ok, right?"
"Yup," Jackie nodded. "He's in a group with three other guys, a singing group. They needed one more and you know how Brian sings."
"Like an angel," Hayley smiled.
"So Kevin called Brian and asked Brian to join. Brian talked to me and accepted, and packed up and left. He's in Orlando right now," Jackie sighed. "He's going to get a tutor and be famous."
"He left? And how long will it be before he's back?"
"Yeah, he left," Jackie sighed. "I don't know how long until he's back. Weeks, months, maybe years."
Hayley bit her lip to keep the tears that were threatening to cascade down her cheeks back.
"Hold on, ok? He said to give you this!" Jackie emerged with an envelope and Hayley smiled. At least he remembered her.
"Thanks," Hayley took it from Jackie and gave Jackie a tight hug. "I need to get back so Mom doesn't worry," She added.
"Ok, dear," Jackie smiled at her and handed her a bottle off the table. "Here's the rest of your drink, Sweetheart."
"Thanks, Mama Jackie," Hayley grinned.
"No problem, Hon," Jackie grinned as she returned to the kitchen to finish the dishes.
"Pack your stuff," Hayley's mom, Katelyn, said to her as soon as she saw her.
"Why? What?" Hayley asked, shocked.
"We're moving, go pack. We leave tonight!" Katelyn snapped.
Hayley sighed, but did as she said. Once the entire room was sitting in boxes, around ten o'clock that night, she opened her envelope from Brian. Inside was a letter and a smaller envelope. Hayley opened the letter and sat down to read.
"Hayley-Baby,
Look, I'm sorry I didn't get to say good-bye. You have to understand what a wonderful opportunity this was for me. I only had so much time until my flight, and if I missed the flight, they would have found someone else. I'll see you again, you know that. I'll be home as soon as possible.
I love you,
Bri-Bear
Hayley felt the tears trickling down her face as she opened the second envelope to find it empty except for a ring. A white gold ring with a heart-shaped diamond and smaller diamonds surrounding it. It was the ring Brian said he would give to his future wife. Hayley slipped it onto her finger and sighed, kissing the ring, seeing as she couldn't kiss Brian.
"Ready, Hayley?" Her mother poked her head in the door.
"Yeah, let's go," Hayley looked around the empty room one last time, then followed her mother out to the car, looking at Brian's window one more time before driving away.
© 2001 Princess Fan Fics