california.

I've always wanted to visit California.  Ever since I discovered "California" by Hawk Nelson, anyway. The sunshine, the surfers, Hollywood...I don't know.  Something about it has just made me wonder.

But now, I'm rather...turned off to California.  It took my best friend away.  Well, not really.  But it sort of feels that way.  See, Scott's dad had to move because of his job -- to California.  And (obviously) his family got drug along with him.  Which included Scott.

Scott and I go back to the seventh grade (sixth grade summer if you want to get technical), when he first moved here from New York.  I'm not really sure how exactly us becoming friends came about, but...it did.  He decided to call me 'seventh grader', not Anna -- I suppose that's how it all started.

Over the years, we went through a lot together.  Scott had my back and I had his.  Just worked that way.

But then, the horrible news came one day in geometry.  He was moving.  To California.

I didn't cry surprisingly -- I think I was in shock.  Someone who I had poured my secrets -- my heart into -- was leaving.  2, 000 some odd miles away.

We had a going away party for him, and I kept telling myself I wouldn't cry.  I guess I thought that if I told myself that I wouldn't.  But I did.  Losing a best friend is hard -- knowing that I wouldn't see him geometry, at prayer group.  I guess that's why I cried.

I still remember the day he left.  He gave me in hug, and walked out of the geometry room, and never looked back.

California's treating him awful now.  He says the kids and teachers cuss, and most everyone is hostile.  And all I can do is pray, and try to encourage him with mere words.  It's hard to stand by and watch your best friend suffer.  I think it's harder than experiencing it yourself, knowing they're hurting and you can't do anything to stop it.

So.  After all that, I can get to the main point.  I'd really like ya'll to pray for Scott.  It would mean the world to me...and to him (if he knew -- which he doesn't -- so ssh! ;) )