Matt Vincent, best friend of Zach Carter, quietly gathered his things together into a small red suitcase. Despite his best efforts, a small tear found its way out of his eye and down his cheek. The decision had been hard and painful, but it had been made and he was going to follow through.
Zach walked past Matt's room, but quickly turned around when he spotted the suitcase. "Are you going home so soon?"
"No," Matt answered quietly, pushing the last of his things down into the suitcase, "I'm leaving Midway Prep."
Zach quickly made his way over to Matt. "What? Why are you leaving?"
"Because I have to, Zach."
"That's not an answer, Matt. Why are you leaving?" Zach pressed the issue.
"Fine, Zach! You want me to tell you, I'll tell you! I'm leaving because I'm keeping you here, that's why!" Matt spat out, turning away from his suitcase so he could face Zach.
Zach stared at Matt dumbly. "That doesn't make sense. I've been here, Matt. I'm not going anywhere."
"You will be if I don't go. When that guy comes back to take you to Midway Academy, I'm going in your place."
"That's why you're leaving? Oh, come on, Matt! Don't let that guy intimidate you. He's not taking you or me anywhere," Zach sat down on Matt's now-sheetless bed.
"The matter has already been taken care of. I talked with the guy a few days ago, and I got him to agree to let me go in your place."
Zach's eyes narrowed. "You did this without asking me? You had no right!"
"I had every right!" Matt shot back at him, closing his suitcase and picking it up. "I'm your best friend, Zach. I'm not going to let some stupid line change keep you and Kate from being together. You two have enough problems without this."
"So that's what this is about? You're worried about Kate and me? Man, don't even worry about that. Kate and I are going to be together no matter what, and that's something that The Powers That Be can't change. I'm not going to lose my best friend, too. Come on, Matt. Please don't go."
Matt quickly turned away so that Zach wouldn't see the tears forming in his eyes. "I have to. I promised the man I would, and I'm going to keep that promise. I'm sorry. Besides, I'm just across town. You won't miss me that much."
"Yes I will! Come on, man! You were the one that encouraged me to ask Kate out; you can't bail out on me when Kate and I are so happy together!"
Matt began walking out of the room. "I'm sorry, dude. I've gotta go."
