Bird Watcher

Shannon's Nature Story

13. Thirteen years, thirteen cakes, thirteen wishes, and thirteen moves. The Harbor family was always moving. It could be for a job opportunity, a better neighbourhood, or even because of a school. Emily, the thirteen year old in the family hated moving. It was a constant cycle that she told her new friends "I'm moving" only half way into the school year. Their most recent move was pretty decent though. Emily had made one really good friend and was doing quite well in school.

Emily's best friend Alexis was by far one of the best people she had ever met. They both had the same interests. Swimming, nature walks, film making, and dying their hair fun colours in the fall time. They both loved the color orange and their favourite animal was any type of bird. Later that day little did Emily know that would all change.

Alexis swung her bag down and began to pack up her Math, Astronomy, and Art. "My place 4:30?" Emily asked Alexis. "Kay" Alexis replied. Emily waved goodbye and raced back to the apartment buildings in front of the forest trail. She had lived there for half a year. She pressed level 4 on the elevator and waited. When she entered the door she was surprised to see her mom and dad home early with a bunch of papers on the counter.

She got an uneasy feeling inside her stomach. She knew what papers meant. "Hi" she said. Both of her parents turned then continued filling out the papers. "Good news honey!" her father said. Emily walked closer to the counter leaning over to see what her parents were filling out. It was a sheet from their landlord. They weren't moving out were they? "Mom, Dad , are we...." her voice strained to say it. "Moving out?" she finished. "Yes honey the files are officially completed and we are leaving tomorrow. "I found an amazing lawyer opportunity in New York" her dad said. "New York! And tomorrow!" Emily shouted. "What about Alexis and school?" Emily said. Her mom turned to speak , "We have already worked school out and I'm sure you'll make some more friends" her mom said.

"What school am I going to?" Emily asked. "Oh no honey. I'm home-schooling you" her mother finished. Emily raced to her room blinking back her tears. She like the large apartments here in California. She had finally found her true best friend. And in a small apartment in New York all the time homeschooled how was she going to make any friends? "Honey I suggest you start packing" her mom said up the stairs.

Great. Now she had to cancel on Alexis. She grabbed her iPhone from her charger and slid the picture of her and Alexis in the grass to unlock it. She finished dialling the last four digits and heard a voice pick up "What sup? I'm almost there I'm running late sorry" Alexis said on the other line. "Okay come quick I need to tell you something" said Emily. "Be there soon" was the last words she heard from the other line. 15 minutes later she heard a knock on her front door.

When Alexis came in she could sense that what Emily needed to tell her wasn't good. "Let's take a quick walk in the forest" Emily said. Once they were deep enough in the forest Emily started to speak. She wanted this to be quick and simple. "I'm sorry to cancel but I cant hang out because I need to pack for tomorrow" Emily said. " What's tomorrow?" Alexis asked. " I'm moving". The words fell out of her mouth and a sudden weight was off her shoulders. Then Emily felt emotion hit her. "What?" Alexis said. "My Dad found a job and I'm moving to New York tomorrow" Emily repeated.

Alexis felt tears start to flood her eyes. "You can't just leave! Not so soon!" she said. "I need to" Emily said. "We might see each other again" Emily said. "Not if your in New York!" Alexis screamed. Her brown hair blew in her face as she turned and started to sob. "Ill see you tomorrow in the morning before I leave but I have to go" Emily said tears running down her face. The girls hugged and had an 1hr convo on the phone when they returned home.

THE NEXT DAY...

The moving truck was packed and the two girls were saying their last goodbyes. They hugged and the Blue van drove away with Emily inside and Alexis crying on the sidewalk.

When they arrived to New York Emily already knew she didn't like it. The air was filled with pollution and there was no wildlife to be found except huge rats that filled the subways. Luckily not to far from he small apartment there was a nature observatory. After unpacking and eating Emily went to sleep. The first thing Emily did in the morning after she was dressed and filled with food was walk to the nature observatory. She went straight to the bird section. It was outdoors and beautiful. There was a Canada Geese with her goslings all pecking at the grass. There was also a large pond located behind the goslings. "There so cute!" a little girl said behind Emily.

While Emily was there she thought of all the places she moved and the great people she's met. Alexis was one of the bests. Looking at the birds reminded her of her recent home in California with Alexis. Ever since that day, Emily went to the nature observatory and watched the goslings. It helped her think about her old home with Alexis. And eventually the goslings grew and so did Emily, where at 18, she moved back to California and reunited with Alexis.

- Written by Shannon Quinn