It had been a few weeks after Mom had left. I was on my way to Ava’s, and I was freaking out! After Mom had left, we were having a hard time with money. Dad hadn’t been able to afford to pay rent for our apartment. He said that he was going to send me to live with his sister, Alya. I loved my Aunt Alya, but she lived in Michigan. I didn’t want to leave Chicago. I couldn’t leave Ava either. I’d known her since preschool, and she was my best and only friend. I knocked on the door. Ava’s twin brother Aaron opened the door.

“Oh,” he said, turning red. “Uh, hey, Krys. Ava’s in her room. Um, I’m still waiting for your answer.” He said, smiling. Ugh! I was not in the mood for this!

“Dan! For the last time! I’m not gonna go out with you! Ever! So could you just let it go?!” I said. 

“C’mon! You know we’re meant for each other.” He said with a dorky grin on his face.

“In your dreams!” I said as I walked to the back of the house and went into Ava’s room. She was reading on her bed.“Hey, Ava. I have to tell you something. I, er, um, well, erm, well I . . .” I trailed off. Wait a minute. She’s not reading! She was sleeping. “AVA!” I said as I shook her awake. 

“Hey! Who the heck do you think - Oh! Hey, Krys! Wassup?” She said, grinning at me. I sighed. It broke my heart to have to tell her this. I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her. I sniffed and I realized that I was crying. “Oh, Krys! What’s wrong?” Ava asked me, pulling me into a hug. 

“I - I - I’m leaving! Dad doesn’t have enough money to take care of me, so he’s s-sending me away to live with my Aunt Alya!” I sobbed into her shoulder. Ava froze. She was silent for a minute. 

“Isn't she the one who lives in Michigan?” She said slowly. 

“Y - Yes!” I said choking back a sob. I looked at her face. She was horror struck, and her face was slick with tears.

“W - W - When’re you leaving?” She asked, holding back more tears. I sniffed again. “A - At the end of the m-marking period.” I said quietly. Ava went pale, and she looked like she was in pain. “B - But, that’s in less than 2 weeks!” She cried. 

“I know.” I said sadly. “But my dad doesn’t have the money to pay for both our needs and pay the rent for our house. It’s been really hard on us these  past few weeks. My dad had to get a loan from a few of his friends so that he could pay for my braces to get fixed.” I said. Ava sighed heavily.

“OK. But you have to promise me that you’ll text me every day!” She said, holding out her pinkie. I held out mine.

“I promise.”