When I got to school I sat my friends down. "Damian, Marcus, Lily, I need to tell you something." I began. They looked at each other in confusion. "My dad got a new job-" "You're moving aren't you?" I was cut off by Lily. "I'm moving to Honolulu. My mom says there is a new veterinary practice opening there and my dad couldn't turn it down." I sheepishly smiled as their eyes widened. My stomach was in knots, waiting for the response. "And, when are you leaving?" I could hear the fear in Damian's voice. "A week from now. That gives up plenty of time to hang out!" I was on the verge of crying. The bell rang and we took off our separate ways.
"Bailey, your mom is calling!" Ms. Darius yelled in the middle of social studies. I walked to the phone confused. "Hey Bailey! We have a slight change in plans. We called the veterinary practice and they say dad will be needed sooner than next week." Why was my mom telling me this now? "Okay... How early are you talking?" "Tomorrow morning... At the latest." Her words hit me hard. I started tearing up and my mom could hear my sniffles. "Bailey don't you worry! It's only a few days earlier and you still have a few hours to say goodbye to your friends. Your stuff is being packe-" "Wait wait wait... A few hours?" I was practically yelling through the phone at this point. "We're planning on driving up tonight and staying at a hotel near the airport so we can leave early in the morning. And-" She tried to explain but I hung up.
I asked my teacher to go to the bathroom so I could find my friends and tell them. Damian was in anatomy so I went down stairs to room 468. I spotted him, and he was sitting towards the door. I motioned for him to come outside. I did the same with Lily and Marcus. We all met at the picnic tables right outside the entrance. I could tell they were still shaken up from what I told them earlier. "So I told you I was leaving," I started, "and I said I was leaving next week." I stopped to gain enough confidence to spill the news. "I'm leaving tonight." I said it quickly so I could get it over with. "Tonight?!?" Lily's floodgates opened. Of course Marcus was already balling, his poor little sensitive heart. Damian got red as he usually does in situations like this. "You- you'll have a great time. Don't worry about us, we'll be fine. We can FaceTime every night, and text and call each other- it will feel like we never separated." At least Damian was optimistic. "We'll plan something after school so I can hang out one last time with you guys." They nodded and we went off to class.
After school we went to our favorite ice cream parlor, Maria's creamery. "Here. For you, from... Us!" Lily handed me a big card. I opened it and it was filled with notes from almost the whole middle school, saying, "We'll miss you!" And "Good luck!" I started to tear up. I gave the three of them a hug. Even Damian was crying, and he never does. "Goodbye." I opened the door and looked back. "Goodbye." I said. "Bailey you'll do great things." Marcus smiled. I smiled back and exited. I walked home and cried the whole way. My suitcase was already packed and by the door. I checked my room for anything else. "Ready?" My mom yelled from downstairs. I slowly walked down the stairs, looking around me. All the memories I had for the past 13 years were being recalled. I stuffed my suitcase in the already crammed trunk. I looked at my house one last time before entering the car. And just like that we were off. At the end of my street, Marcus and Damian were waving and Lily was holding a sign that read 'aloha'. I laughed and waved back. My dad was already sleeping. I put my headphones in to drown out all the emotions I was feeling. My dog Bentley rested his head on my leg and sighed. "I feel you," I said, "I feel you."
