Deep Among The Stars

Chapter 1: A New Life

11 Months.
It's been 11 months since I lost my best friend. The person I loved the most. To be honest I don't remember much from that day, just pure shock. The tears and depression came later. And although it's been 11 months since it happened, it feels like just yesterday I lost her. I'm guessing it feels like yesterday because I experience it all over again, everyday, every night. The nightmares haunt me.

Today is the day when I hop onto the plane and meet my new life. A life I had no intention of meeting because I loved my old one. But since my father has been working on his new company for the last three years, it didn't come much as a surprise when he announced we were moving all the way to California.
So this is it. This is me taking my last glance back at the place I grew up, the trees I climbed time and time again, and the place I'll always call home.

"I know your not as happy about moving to California as I think you should be, but I promise you that once we get settled down you'll love it," my father reassures me.

"Yeah I know dad, I'm sure I'll love it" I say, trying my best to put on a genuine smile. 

My father and I stand there, empty handed just staring at our big beautiful home which we would leave behind. Moments pass and all there's left is just silence as we savor all the memories we built under that roof. Maybe moving from New York to California will be a good change, a chance at a new life, a new beginning. But deep down, no matter how many times I told my father I was happy and excited about moving to California, I knew that there would be nothing that would compare to the place that I grew up; the place I became who I am today.

My father gets in the car, but I stay, feet planted on the ground. I can't describe the feeling that crosses over me, but it's almost as if I'm having an internal battle with myself. Knowing that moving is for the better, but at the same time wanting to breakdown and refuse to leave the state we buried her in.

"Miss Adams, I'm afraid it's time to go" Simon, our Butler, looks at me and ushers me to get into the car.

"It is isn't it?" I say, more as a statement than a question.

"Miss Adams, these words may be nothing coming from me, but still I think you should hear them: Throughout life, there will be times where you feel lost and hopeless, and broken but it's not about how you get through those times or however long it takes. It's about how you feel once the sadness is all over. It may not define you, but it sure will change your life but it's up to you to decide if it's in a good way or not. You choose how you want the rest of your life to play out. Don't let the events that have happened in your life choose for you" He says.

I stay there pondering his message. I don't speak or say anything. I simply walk over to him and wrap in a big hug. He hugs me back laughing.

"Oh Simon, don't think that your words go un-listened to and perhaps they have great meaning coming from you. Don't think otherwise." I say tears filling my eyes.

"Oh! Miss Adams, don't you start with your tears, it'll only be a few months till I see you again. Now," he says placing his large hands around my face, "you are going to fly to California, and make the most of your move. Trust me I think this change is good for you."

"I hope so, Simon, I really hope so" I reply meekly. "And by the way what did I say about calling me Miss Adams? I'm not Fifty!"

He grabs his stomach laughing, "You know it's simply because I respect the young woman you are and the grown and poised one I know you'll become."

I smile back at him once more before I step into the car. Once seated my chauffeur closes the door behind me. The car starts moving and I stare back as my house grows smaller and smaller, Simon along with it.

I have known Simon my entire life. He has been more like a grandpa to me than a butler. He's always worked for my family and I simply don't remember a time when he wasn't in my life.

Sitting in our Limo I can't help but take a glance over at my dad. I can see his excitement and that makes me feel somewhat guilty because on the inside I don't reciprocate it. I need to do better for him but it's just too hard.

My dad and I have always had a great relationship. He's honestly one of my best friends and I know I can talk to him about anything. But lately ever since she died, I've been feeling as if nothing will ever be the same again. Of course it won't, The person that we loved most in this world is now gone but it's the little things that made our relationship so great that will never be the same again.

Growing up my parents were always involved in my life and they made it their mission to always make sure I knew that they were there for me. So, every week they would hold family meetings called 'Adams Family Chats' where we would each talk about our week, the ups and downs, and how we faced our challenges; no matter how little the problems were. Things like this, will never ever be the same. My father and I couldn't bare to carry out this tradition without her so we never did.

My family has always been wealthy but we never took it for granted. Sure we had some luxury things like a nice house and cars, but we were never very fond of showing off our designer items or making sure we had the latest designer clothing. We were more interested in helping the less fortunate so my father opened one of the biggest fundraisers called Adams Wealth Help Care. For all the money my dad makes from his other companies, he takes out a good portion to save for the fundraiser and at the end of every six months, he holds a special ball and donates the money to various organizations. It's perhaps one of my favorite events of the year, or at least it used to be, because it's the most heroic thing I've ever seen anyone do.

My father wasn't born into a wealthy family, well not exactly, he was very poor. In fact he had no home growing up because my grandma raised him on her own. She was married and then my grandpa died in a horrible accident. She was left to fend for herself. Her parents who came from a very wealthy family disowned her once she got married to a man who was very poor. Her parents didn't approve of her marriage and she couldn't go to them for support. She slept at a new place everyday and once she had the baby it was harder for her to care for him. So she began begging on the streets. Eventually when my dad was five, she finally got a job and promised that she would never let her son go through the same pain she went through. So, she enrolled him in school and that's how their life started. They were still very poor but she managed to rack up enough to buy a tiny one room and one bathroom house. From then on, she started working seven days a week all day just so she could provide for her son. And you would think that because of her absence my dad went crazy partying and drinking during his teenage years, but he did the exact opposite. He volunteered in his community and started working on an idea for a company he wanted to start when he was older. He came up with the concept at the age of fifteen and that's how Adam's Airline Corporations Started. My dad invented the highest tech aircraft in today's generation. He created his own airline and now owns a multi-trillion dollar company.

If your wondering where my grandma is, well she living her best life traveling the world. She comes and visits often but she spends the majority of the time visiting various sites with her new husband. She met her husband when my dad was a teenager and that's the closest to a dad my father ever got. He considers him his father as I consider him my grandpa. 

My life has been amazing thus far but I guess nothings perfect, and eventually something must go wrong along the way. And that's what happened to me.