Chasing the Bartender

Leaving

DAVINA POV

The last week has been interesting for sure. Things have been weird since Levi and I had s*x. I'm hoping I'll be able to talk to him tonight, either before or after the graduation ceremony. I got into my dream school, Brown University, on a full scholarship, but I only have one more week to decide if I'll go or stay and go to the community college. Just in case, I've been slowly and secretly packing up the things I would take.

I've been pacing outside the entrance to the schools gym for too long waiting for Hadley. She knows I've been in love with her brother for years, and she knows we slept together. When she rushes in the door in her white graduation gown holding her white cap as she rushes to hug me. I help her adjust her cap, and then we go to take a walk and talk. I tell her everything I'm worried about and how I haven't been able to talk to Levi when in one of the classrooms we hear moaning. We started to rush past the door, not wanting to interrupt or overhear anything when we hear Levi's familiar voice, and we both freeze.

"Oh baby, you feel amazing." He moans as their skin slaps together.

"Oh, I've missed this with you." Moans the girl, I know that voice. My eyes start welling up with tears as Hadley starts to hug me. Of all the girls he'd be with, he had to have s*x with Lillian. She's always hated me. No one knows, but my best friend that she's bullied me since middle school.

"Oh, me too."

"What about your little itch you needed to scrath?" She breathes as they continue. I know we should walk away, but I can't.

"I had s*x with her a week ago at the college party. I can go back to treating her like my best friends little sister."

I pull myself out of Hadley's arms and walk away, I've heard all I need to to make my decision clear. She rushes after me, the sound of her heels echoing on the floor. I stop suddenly and turn around with unshed tears in my eyes and hers, too.

"Hads, I got into Brown with a full scholarship." I blurt out. She's shocked and then smiles widely.

"That's fantastic Vi!"

"I'd need to leave today right after the ceremony if I'm going to go." I look at my feet. She steps towards me and hugs me.

"I'll cover for you at the dinner parents ate having for us. And once it's over, I'll follow and meet there." I pull back slightly and look at her.

"Meet me there?"

"I got into the school of design close to Brown to study photography. I found out this morning, but I've been packing in the hope I'd get in."

Before we could continue the announcement that we needed to get to our spots for the entrance, it sounded through the halls. As I enter, I look for my brother in the crowd. I'll miss him, and it hurts my heart to know I won't get to say goodbye to him. I'll have to try and get a hug before I head to the house to grab my stuff and leave.

After two slow hours, the ceremony comes to an end, and I go in search of my brother. When I finally find him, I run to him and hug him tight.

"Congratulations, little sis." He says and then kisses the top of my head. I look up at him, the only one who I've ever had as constant support in my life.

"I have to run home and grab something before the dinner at Hadley's." I can tell he doesn't fully believe me with the look he gives me, then he smiles softly.

"I understand, drive safe. I'll see you later."

I hugged him again one last time and then rushed to my car. As soon as I get to the house, I run inside and start loading up my Nissan Rogue. I write a quick note to Dane and then lock the door and hide the key one of the flower pots on the porch. Getting in my car, I look at my childhood home one last time before backing out of the driveway and driving towards my future.

DANE POV

Davina has been acting a little off the last week since the party. I know Levi is involved somehow. She's been head over heels for him for a while now. And even though she hasn't said anything, I know she got into Brown University and the community college. If she were to go, she'd have to leave today.

The way she looked at me when she entered the room told me something was up. Then the way she ran to me and hugged me not once but twice and said she forgot something, I know she's leaving. I waited a few minutes after she left and then went to my car and drove to the house. I parked down the street just out of view of the house where I couldn't be seen but had a perfect view of the house. She was loading up her car. I watched her shut and lock the door, then hide the key. Once she drove off, I drove up to the house. I took a deep breath before moving to the door and grabbing the key she hid. Walking inside, I go up to her room and see it pretty much empty and a piece of paper on the desk. My eyes have tears in them, but they have yet to fall. Picking up the paper, I see my name written on it, and opening it causes the tears to finally start falling as I read what she wrote.

My dear brother,

How did I get so lucky to have you in my life? I'm sorry to leave you alone, but I had to go. If I didn't leave today, I would have lost my spot at Brown University. Please don't tell anyone where I am.

I love you so much. Thank you for always taking care of me in our parents' absence. On the bright side, you'll be able to move closer to campus without worrying about how I'm doing at home.

I hope to see you again in the future.

With much love,

Your little sister, Davina.

The tears fall freely as I sit on her bed and let go. At least she said bye and hugged me before she left, and thought to write me. I stand up after a few minutes and move to the bathroom, and wash my face. I have to go to the dinner for Hadley and pretend I don't know she's left.

Pulling up to their house, I sat outside for a minute and set the last picture Vi and I took together right before she left for the graduation ceremony.

LEVI POV

I've managed to avoid Davina for a week. I have needs that need to be met, so I call Lillian. I'm well aware my sister can't stand her but I don't know why. We were hooking up before graduation started, and in order to get hard, I had to imagine it was Davina. Since we slept together, I haven't been able to perform with anyone else.

We both finish right when all the graduating students are called to get ready for their entrance. Lillian runs out, fixing herself as she goes. I make my way to my seat beside Dane. We watch as everyone walks in and takes their seats. I watch Davina as she scans the crowd, her gaze landing on her brother. When the whole thing is over, I go with my parents to find Hadley. I look over at my best friend as he hugs his little sister. His face holds an expression that makes me worried. Did she say something to him about what happened between us?

We get home and wait for Dane and Davina. About thirty minutes later, I see Dane pull up, but he takes a minute before he gets out and comes to the door. I open it right before he can knock, and we head to the backyard. An hour later and Vi still isn't here.

"Hey Hads?" She turns towards me.

"What's up?" She asks, looking a little to unbothered her best friend isn't here yet.

"Where's Vi?"

"Oh! I forgot! She said she had to grab something from home and that we could start without her." She moves past me and sits at the table. I look at Dane, and he just shrugs his shoulders.

The night went on, but she never showed up. Why? Is she that mad at me for avoiding her after we had s*x that she wouldn't come to a dinner to celebrate her and Hadley? Dane leaves after saying goodnight to everyone. Hadley had asked to speak with my parents privately, and they asked that I work on cleaning up while they talk. I didn't see Hadley the rest of the night, but my mom came and helped clean up. When I asked where dad was, she said he was helping Hadley with a personal issue.

I don't remember when I fell asleep, but it was a dark and rainy day this morning. I make my way downstairs and see only my parents at the table and only one plate waiting.

"Where's Hadley?" I ask, walking to the table. My dad looks up from his paper and folds it. This can't be good.

"She left last night for school."

"What? Where? She didn't even say goodbye? What about Davina?" My dad looks to my mom, and she just nods.

"She asked that we don't say where she has gone. She was worried she would change her mind about leaving if she said goodbye. And well, Davina went with her." My face pales, and I stop putting food on my plate. They both left?

I stand up and rush out to my car in my sweatpants and t-shirt. I drive to Dane's house and bang on the door. Dane comes to the door, and he looks like he's been crying.

"My parents said Vi left?" He just nods and steps to the side so I can go in. We sit on the couch. "Is that why she wasn't at dinner last night?" He looks at me with sad eyes.

"Yeah. She left right after graduation." He ran my hands through my hair.

"I guess my sister went with her. She left some time last night." He sighs.

"That makes me feel better that she won't be alone wherever it is she's gone."

"She didn't tell you where she went?"

"She gave a hint, but not the exact location of where she'll be living." He looked at me intensely. "Levi, I need you to be honest with me. Did something happen between you and Vi?"

"Yes. At the college party last week, Jake was harassing her, and I stepped in. I made sure she got to her room safe, and we ended up sleeping together." I look at the ground. I hope I didn't just ruin our relationship.

"OK. I understand a little now. I know you've liked her for a few years. If leaving is what she needed to do, I understand. I'm a little upset with you, but I'm sure we'll get past it."