Perfectly Imperfect

* E L M I R A *

Alexandra watched the sun set slowly on the horizon of her beloved town Sheroda. She breathed in, knowing this would be her last night here.

Alexandra Adara is a 16 year old junior who had her life figured out before she could learn multiplication in 4th grade. She decided she would stay in her town Sheroda, grow up, marry a quiet man from her high school, and open a cafe. That is the simple life she wanted.

She was a simple girl with a simple mind.

Alexandra had only learned a week ago that her mother had died while riding her bike. A car had collided with her mother and she died 7 hours later. This was the most shocking news she had ever received in her life. It changed the way her life would end up. Her father had announced their move to a bigger town named Elmira only a few days after. Alexandra, of course, was not happy to here this. Her whole life, her plans, what she worked for would be thrown away.

Alexandra had no control. Her father had also lost his job. He found a job in Elmira, and decided to move to be closer to work.

"That is what you get for planning your life ahead of time. Life is full of surprises." Her father said after they had argued about the move. Alexandra could only nod her head and finish packing. She felt defeated.

The final days of Sheroda came near. Her friends had already sent her goodbye gifts, and her father's co-workers had wished the best for the two.

At last, the day had come. They packed the car with their belongings. Her father had bought a small apartment in the town of Elmira. As Alexandra and her father drove away from their home, Alexandra asked:

"Why do we have to leave?"

Her father sighed "This town is full of too many memories of your mother. On top of that, this town is getting expensive. I needed to find a better job and a cheaper place. Without your mother, we would have struggled." Her father answered. "I've explained this over and over again. Please learn to listen." he finished, turning his head to end the argument.

Alexandra looked out the car window, watching the land disappear behind them as they drove away from her hometown. Sheroda had her friends, her family, and her future. She wanted to jump out of the moving car and run back. She did not belong in the town Elmira. She belonged home.

Her father was right about memories and finances. They would have struggled if they had stayed.

Alexandra was not worried about her new house or neighborhood. It was her new school that scared her. She has always read books or seen movies where a male or female has had a hard time fitting into a new school. As much as Alexandra hated to admit it, she was awkward and not very fun. Who would see those traits as good traits? Alexandra knew there were good things about herself, but she didn't like to think about them.

Friend were easy to make but hard to keep. How would she know who to hang out with or to stay friends with for junior and senior year? Two years is not as long, but it is long enough to get to know some students.

Alexandra has never been to a public high school before, either. She has always gone to a private school. She was fully Catholic and refused to go to a public school. Elmira didn't have a nearby catholic high school, so she was forced by her father to attend a public school.

So many problems were being added into Alexandra's already distraught mind. This year was not going to be her favorite. After she was done contemplating her state of being, she took a nap. It was going to be a while until they arrived in their new home.

****

"Wake up, Sunshine!" Alexandra's father said to her. They had finally arrived in Elmira.