don't leave me

New Beginnings

Matthew sat quietly in the backseat of the car, watching the scenery change from familiar to unfamiliar as they drove further into the heart of their new town. He was twelve years old, with tousled brown hair and a nervous excitement tingling in his stomach. His parents had assured him that this move would be good for them all—a fresh start, they called it—but leaving behind everything he knew was harder than he expected.

The car turned onto a leafy street lined with quaint houses, each one different from the next. It was a far cry from the busy cityscape and towering apartment buildings they had left behind. Matthew pressed his forehead against the cool glass of the window, watching as people walked their dogs and children played in front yards.

"Here we are," his father announced cheerfully, pulling into the driveway of a cozy blue house with white trim. It was smaller than their old apartment, but it looked friendly and inviting.

Matthew climbed out of the car, dragging his backpack behind him. He took a deep breath, trying to muster up some courage as he followed his parents to the front door. His mother unlocked it and they stepped inside, greeted by the scent of fresh paint and new beginnings.

The house was still mostly empty, their belongings stacked neatly in boxes waiting to be unpacked. Matthew wandered down the hallway, running his fingers along the smooth walls. His parents were busy in the kitchen, discussing where to put things and making plans for dinner.

Alone in his new room, Matthew sat on the floor amidst the chaos of boxes. He pulled out a framed photo of his old friends, his heart twisting with a pang of homesickness. How would he ever make new friends in this strange place?

That evening, after a simple dinner of pizza they had ordered from a local restaurant, Matthew sat on the front porch steps, watching the last rays of sunlight fade from the sky. The neighborhood was quiet, the only sound the occasional chirp of a cricket.

"Are you alright, Matt?" his mother asked gently, joining him on the steps.

"Yeah," Matthew replied, not entirely convincingly. "Just thinking."

"It's okay to feel a bit overwhelmed," she said softly, putting an arm around his shoulders. "Change can be hard, but it can also be exciting. You'll see."

Matthew nodded, not wanting to admit how scared he felt. He missed his old friends, his old room, even the noise of the city outside their window. Here, everything seemed so quiet and unfamiliar.

The next day, Matthew's parents took him to register at his new school. They walked through the corridors together, meeting teachers and getting a tour of the classrooms. Matthew tried to pay attention, but his mind kept wandering back to the friends he had left behind.

In the cafeteria at lunchtime, Matthew sat alone at a table in the corner, his lunch tray untouched. He watched the other kids chatting and laughing, feeling like an outsider looking in. Would he ever fit in here?

Just as he was about to give up and retreat into himself, a boy with curly hair and a mischievous grin approached his table.

"Hey, you're new here, right?" the boy asked, flashing Matthew a friendly smile.

Matthew nodded nervously, unsure what to expect.

"I'm Jake," the boy introduced himself, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from Matthew. "Wanna join us for lunch?"

Matthew hesitated for a moment, then nodded gratefully. Jake waved to a group of kids at another table, who scooted over to make room for them. They introduced themselves as Emma, Alex, and Maya, and soon Matthew found himself chatting and laughing with them as if he had known them for years.

As the days turned into weeks, Matthew began to settle into his new life. He made more friends in his classes, learned his way around the neighborhood, and even found a spot on the soccer team. His parents were pleased to see him smiling again, his old worries fading into the background.

One afternoon after school, Matthew walked home with Jake and Emma. They took a shortcut through a park, kicking a soccer ball between them and sharing stories about their families and hobbies. Matthew realized he was starting to feel at home in this new town, surrounded by people who cared about him.

That evening, as Matthew sat on his bed reading a book, he glanced around his room at the posters he had hung on the walls and the books stacked on his bedside table. It was starting to feel like his room, a place where he belonged.

He heard a knock on his door and looked up to see his mom standing there, smiling softly at him.

"Hey, Matt," she said, stepping into the room. "How was your day?"

"It was good," Matthew replied, setting his book aside. "I made some new friends at school."

His mom sat down beside him on the bed, her expression warm with pride. "I'm so glad to hear that, sweetie. I knew you'd find your place here."

Matthew nodded, feeling a rush of gratitude for his parents and their decision to move. It hadn't been easy, leaving everything he knew behind, but now he understood that sometimes change was necessary for growth.

As he drifted off to sleep that night, Matthew thought about the journey he had been on since they moved to this town. He still missed his old friends and the familiarity of his old home, but he knew now that he had the courage to face whatever came next.

 Authors Note!! 

Tysm for reading this chapter new chapters will be published daily!!