Enchanting Winter

Clare

Willow!

Willow spins on her heels to find her childhood best friend, Clare Tomkins barrelling towards her.

Willow

Slow down Clare.

Willow can’t help but laugh at the tall lanky brunette running down the street. Clare stops just in the knick of time only to wrap her arms around Willow, effectively tackling her.

Clare

I just heard! I’m so sorry!

Clare pulls away from Willow who shrugs noncommittal.

Willow

It is what it is.

Clare

But first your mum and now-

Willow

Clare!

Willow cuts her friend off like she has every day for the last two weeks, every time her mother was brought into conversation.

Clare

Willow, you need to talk about it. It is not healthy bottling all your emotions up. They are bound to explode out of you. After all, the accident-

Willow

Is something I don’t want to talk about.

Clare

Fine.

Clare holds her hands up in surrender.

Clare

But, were you going to tell me you were leaving? Why did I have to hear about it from my brother?

Willow

I saw Charlie this morning at the market. I had just received the letter and we...talked.

Willow had known Clare and Charlie since she started kindergarten and the two rambunctious twins ran over to her offering to share their blocks. Over the years the girls had stuck together and Charlie, who had only become more attractive as the years went on joined the ‘popular’ crowd.

Clare

Not you too.

Clare rolls her eyes.

Clare

I swear every girl in San Francisco is taken by his charms, do you not remember in third grade when he threw up all over your favourite teddy?

Willow cringes at the memory.

Willow

To this day I still can’t look at peanut butter and jelly the same way.

Clare

So when do you leave?

Willow

Tomorrow.

Clare

So soon?

Willow

Apparently it is quite a trip and they want me there to start school. I don’t have much of a choice. They are the only family I have left.

Clare

You don’t even know them.

Willow

I have to respect my mother’s wishes. She listed them as my guardians.

Clare

Maybe I could talk to my parents. You basically live at our place anyway.