Dear Jamie,

Well, it’s hard to tell u this, but I’m moving to Chicago. I’m so sorry. You’ve been my best friend for twelve years now, and considering we’ve only been alive for fourteen years, that’s a long time for such a great friendship. I mean, I hope you can understand. Why would I even want to move? Just because my dad gets another job doesn’t mean he has to take it, u know? He’s happy with his job now. We’re leaving in a month. I’m sorry I haven’t told you sooner, but it’s kind of hard to tell your best friend that you have to move. I hope you’re not mad at me, and I hope that you can understand that I really don’t have a choice.

Your Friend,

Eric Allemora

P.S. Please write back.

Dear Eric,

I’m not mad at you. But I am mad at your dad. Like you said, he’s happy with his job now. Why should he switch jobs? Why can’t you stay here? I’m really upset, but who wouldn’t be? I hope this doesn’t ruin our friendship. We have to keep in touch. Promise me you will. Who’s going to start high school with me? I wish I could convince your dad to let you stay. This is going to drive me crazy all weekend. Well, forget it. I’ll talk to you later.

Your Friend,

Jamie Sanders

Dear Jamie,

You’re right. I should try and convince my dad that we should stay. He loves what he does here in Roanoke. What’s the point of switching jobs? I’ll talk to him later. I’m sure he’ll understand how hard this is for me, switching schools and all in the middle of eighth grade. After all, he moved all the time when he was my age, since his dad was in the army. I hope he understands. Later!

Your Friend,

Eric Allemora

P.S. Get on aim at 4 pm tomorrow. You know my screenname.

4:00pm

sk8erboy911: hey Jamie

krazyklutz14: wats up

sk8erboy911: nm u

krazyklutz14: nuttin.

sk8erboy911: talked 2 my dad last nite

krazyklutz14: really? wat he say?

sk8erboy911: he said 4get i, its his desicion not mine

krazyklutz14: ??? unfair!!

sk8erboy911: i kno. its just the way he is.

krazyklutz14: i cant believe it!!!

sk8erboy911: just 4get it, he’s rite, its his job not mine. maybe it would b easier on my dad if my mom were still alive

krazyklutz14: im sry bout ur mom

sk8erboy911: i kno. its ok. she was a gr8 lady and im glad she doesnt have 2 suffer anymore

krazyklutz14: yea, she was sick 4 awhile

sk8erboy911: sry bout bringin it up. it been on my mind 4 awhile

krazyklutz14: no problem. tell me anything. i dont mind

sk8erboy911: thanx, well, i g2g

krazyklutz14: ttyl

sk8erboy911: bye!

Dear Eric,

How’s your Christmas break going? I know moving isn’t the best present. Sorry. I can’t believe you’re moving in ten days! I’m going to miss you so much!

Anyway, I’m sorry I can’t hang out with you more over whole family is actually here for once (and I sure can’t miss that!) We went sightseeing. Williamsburg one day, D.C the next. It was awesome. Can you believe it’s already Christmas Eve? We’re going to have a huge breakfast tomorrow. I can’t wait.

Did you buy a house in Chicago yet? I guess you did. You’ve got to have a place to go when you get there. Don’t pester your father about the whole thing. I’m sure he’s got enough on his mind. Look, I know you want to stay here, and I want you to stay too, but you’ll make new friends, and we can still write. Don’t worry about it. It’s alright.

Your Friend,

Jamie Sanders

P.S. Don’t forget to meet me at the skating rink Friday night for some last minute fun. 8:00, don’t forget!

Dear Jamie,

Last minute fun? I know what you’re up to. Knowing you, you’ll invite a bunch of people to say goodbye. But either way, I appreciate what you’re doing for me. You are such a great friend.

My Christmas was awesome, except for all the brown packing boxes everywhere. My dad surprised me. He bought me a brand new snowboard, then took me up to West Virginia. We just got back.

We couldn’t find a house yet. We got an old apartment instead. I’m not looking forward to moving next week though. Well, I’ve got to go.

Your Friend

Eric Allemora

P.S. I can’t wait for what you’ve got planned for tomorrow night!

Dear Journal,

I know that I told Eric that I was cool with him moving, but I really want him to stay here. But, I guess, it is best to support him. After all, I’ve known him since I was two. I helped him go through his mother’s death through the past two years when she got cancer. He’s my best friend in the whole world. To tell the truth, I like him much more than that.

Jamie

Dear Jamie,

Thanks for throwing the surprise going away party for me yesterday. I had a blast. You sure can throw a party.

The time has finally come. I’m moving in two days. Promise me you won’t lose contact. My dad has considered letting me spend the summer with you and your family. He at least owes me that much.

Your Friend,

Eric Allemora

P.S. And Jamie, whatever happens, I’ll find a way to come back to you again. I promise.

Dear Journal,

Eric moved yesterday. I couldn’t stop crying. He must have felt pretty bad. I hope he gets to come back in the summer. I can’t wait until I hear from him again. I can’t stand not seeing him all the time. I wish I could’ve told him how I really feel about him before he left. But, now he’s gone.

Jamie

Dear Eric,

How’s Chicago? Have you talked to your dad yet? What’s the update on this summer? Sorry to pester you with so many questions, but I can’t stand not seeing you everyday. Everyone misses you. Especially me. Well, I’ll talk later.

Your Friend,

Jamie Sanders

Dear Jamie,

I convinced my dad to let me come for the summer. I can’t wait to see you again. But that’s six months away.

My dad met up with his old friend from college that introduced him to the job in the first place.

And man! The traffic here is terrible. It makes Roanoke look like wagons on a prarie!

Your Friend,

Jamie Sanders

Phone call: Ring ring. Jamie picks up.

“Hello?”

“Guess who?”

“Hey Eric! How’d I know it’d be you? What’s up?”

“Well, not much. The apartment sucks. It smells like crap. Man, do I hate roaches! We’re looking for a better place to stay, so we’re moved to a hotel for a while. How’s school?”

“It’s a drag. Especially since you’re not there. How about you? Have you started school yet?”

“No. We need to find a reasonable place to stay first. Well, I jsut wanted to say hey. I’ll talk to you later. I just want to let you know that I sent you something and it should arrive anyday now.”

“Really? Thanks! I’ll send you an email later.”

“Aight. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Jamie and Eric hang up.

To:

From:

Eric, I cant believe u did that! mailing urself 2 me. u really had me shocked. i cant believe ur staying! u could’ve just told me. was chicago really all that bad? well, im glad u convinced ur dad 2 stay here in Roanoke and fulfill his life dream. opening an italian resaurant of his own is soo cool. well, im glad we get 2 start highschool 2gether now. im soo excited!

Love,

Jamie

Dear Journal,

I’m glad Eric is staying. I can’t believe it! This is so great. Well, today I told Eric how I really feel about him. I stuttered a lot telling him, so I felt pretty stupid at first. But then, he gave me an immense hug and told me he felt the same way. I’m so thrilled. Maybe everything will turn out fine. Eric and I are back together in the same state again. I feel good about myself for expressing my feelings to him. I’m satisfied with myself for that. And I’m proud of Eric for doing the same. I guess we both were scared of what might happen if we expressed ourselves.

Jamie

P.S. This has been one of the best weeks of my life!