They Call Her Snow

I've Never Wanted to Leave

You know that feeling when everything feels right in your life? Your grades are up, school is out, you're 16 going on 17 and you couldn't be happier. Except you're gay, with conservative parents, but a support system of friends like no other. Everything feels perfect for once in your life.

Then, when you think life couldn't get any better than this, you trip over the cruel reality to come.

"We're...we're what?" I stuttered out. I had been riding the high of being a senior now. The top of my class. Probably valedictorian next year. But, no this came along and ruined it all for me.

"We're moving to Kansas, sweet heart. I've got a new job there."

"No." I stated firmly. My mother, however kind she may be, could not make me leave the perfect life I had carved for myself. I needed the people here. They were my backup family, for if-and when-something went wrong while coming out.

"You don't have a say in this, Amanda." My step dad, Edward, told me. "I don't want to leave this place either, but it's time to go."

"But, Kansas? Why not New York, California, Virginia, somewhere with people and cities!" My brother piped up. I forgot he was here, but I'm glad he was with me in the fact that we shouldn't move.

"See! Caleb agrees with me! Moving is a bad idea! Why can't we just wait another year? Then I'll be out of high school and you'll only have to move one kid!"

"We don't have a choice when we leave, besides," my mom explained to us both, "the house has already been sold, we need to be out in two weeks, the new owners are coming sometime in July."