My New Beginning

Chapter 3: Planning the Adventure

The next few days were a whirlwind of emotions. I tried to wrap my head around the move news while focusing on our summer plans with Jade. We spent hours pouring over maps, scouring the internet for fun destinations, and creating a playlist filled with our favorite songs to accompany our road trip.

"Okay, so first stop: the beach!" Jade declared one afternoon, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "We must soak up as much sun as possible before you leave!"

"Definitely," I agreed, sketching a rough map of our route. "After that, we could hit the amusement park, then the art fair."

Jade clapped her hands together. "This is going to be epic! We'll take tons of photos and make the best memories."

As we planned, I felt a growing sense of anticipation, mixed with the bittersweet reality of leaving. Each destination we discussed was a reminder that time was limited, and I wanted to savor every moment.

Later that week, as we lounged on my bedroom floor, surrounded by art supplies and snacks, I noticed Jade staring at my sketches. "You've been drawing a lot lately," she commented, picking up one of my pieces—a landscape of the park we often visited.

"It helps clear my mind," I replied. "With everything changing, I want to capture what I love about this place."

Jade nodded thoughtfully. "You should consider showcasing your art at the fair. It could be a way to say goodbye to everyone."

The idea sent a thrill through me, but also a wave of anxiety. "What if no one likes it? What if it's not good enough?"

"Hey," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "You're an amazing artist. You just need to put yourself out there. It's about sharing your vision, not just about what others think."

I chewed on her words, feeling inspired yet scared. "Okay, I'll think about it."

As our road trip approached, I spent late nights sketching and planning. I captured the beauty of the parks, the quiet streets of our neighborhood, and even small details that brought me joy—a flower blooming in the garden or the way the light filtered through the trees.

The night before we were set to leave for our first adventure, Jade and I had a sleepover. We built a fort out of blankets in my room, filled it with pillows, and snuggled inside, reminiscing about our favorite memories from the past year.

"Remember the Halloween party?" Jade laughed, recalling our attempt at a double costume. "We were the worst witches ever!"

"And we spent the whole night trying to make potions that turned out to be just soda and candy!" I added, giggling.

As we talked, I realized how much I would miss moments like this. "Promise me we'll always stay in touch, no matter what," I said, my voice earnest.

"Of course," Jade said, her tone serious now. "You're my best friend. Distance won't change that."

With the sun rising the next morning, we were ready for our first road trip adventure. Our car was packed with snacks, beach gear, and our playlists blasting through the speakers.

As we drove toward the beach, the wind whipped through our hair, and laughter filled the air. I felt a mix of excitement and sadness, knowing that each mile brought me closer to new experiences but also goodbyes.

"Let's make this the best summer ever," I said, looking at Jade with determination.

"Agreed!" she shouted, pumping her fist in the air.

And in that moment, with the open road ahead of us, I felt ready to embrace whatever the future had in store.