"Mom, I'm home!" I called as I opened the door. Inside, I found my mom and dad in a serious conversation. "Miyo, come here," my mom waved me over. "We just got a letter from AWS saying you'll have to leave on Wednesday to arrive on time," she said, looking worried. What Wednesday? I was confused; today is Monday. They meant this Wednesday, I'd be sent off to some fancy school for rich kids. What the hell?
"What happened to next week, Monday, our original date?"
"We're not exactly sure, but I could push until Monday, but..." My dad's voice trailed off. I knew why. As much as I hated it, we didn't have the power to argue with AWS. "Forget it. It's not like I'm going to die. I'll just say goodbye to Diana tomorrow and finish a few things at school." My parents nodded, and I could see the guilt on their faces. I knew it wasn't their fault.
I headed to my room, closed the door, and let out a frustrated sigh. I know I might seem ungrateful for this opportunity, but honestly, I just had a bad feeling about going, and it's not like I could turn it down. I'll just keep a low profile. I shouldn't attract too much attention anyway. Feeling a bit better, I texted Diana about the update. Her reaction was exactly what I expected; she texted back saying how unfair it was to change the date without consulting my family first. I smiled before putting my phone down.
I turned my head to look out the window as the moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the quiet town. I sat on the edge of my bed, a tangle of emotions swirling inside me. Glancing around my room, the familiar comforts of home suddenly felt distant. Posters of my favorite band covered the walls, but tonight, they didn't bring me any comfort.
I wondered if I could bring them with me, but I already knew I couldn't. The thought of not being home for a long time sent shivers down my spine. I was more worried about being noticed than getting picked on; that just wasn't going to happen to me. I could already picture the other students—confident and powerful—while I felt like a complete shadow at that school.
Lying back on my bed, I stared up at the ceiling, the gentle creaks of the house settling around me. Questions raced through my mind like a wild wind, and each one seemed to add weight to my chest.
Raising my hand, I covered my face, trying to block out the swirl of anxious thoughts. With a shaky breath, I turned to my side and pulled the covers tightly around me. The soft fabric offered a little comfort, but it couldn't shield me from the reality of tomorrow. It felt like I was standing at the edge of a cliff, staring down into the abyss.
As I closed my eyes, I could hear the distant howl of the patrolling pack of wolves outside. It calmed me a bit, but the unease lingered like a shadow that wouldn't fade. I wished I could just reject going and stay home with my friends. But for now, all I could do was lie there, grappling with the uncertainty of the night, hoping that by morning, this uneasiness would go away. It didn't feel right to be this worried about a school that wouldn't care about me. I planned to go unnoticed, so I should be fine. Reassuring myself, I finally fell asleep.
Waking up, I felt a mix of emotions wash over me. I headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. I stretched my arms and took a deep breath. I felt a little better. I guess last night was just the stress of a new school catching up to me.
After breakfast, I slipped into jeans and a gray hoodie. I'd miss being able to wear my own clothes. Heading down to the kitchen, I was surprised to see my dad there. He was usually gone by now, off checking what needed fixing in our pack. "Why are you here?"
He looked at me. "Brat, do you want your old man to work twenty-four hours?"
"At least you know you're old." I ducked as a chip bag hit me. Looking at the chip on the ground, I felt a little pity for it. Wait, why am I feeling sorry for a chip bag? I looked up. "Your mom's driving you to the airport tomorrow, and I won't be able to see you." Dad walked over, hugged me, and said, "I don't know how visits and breaks work over there, but call us." I smiled and hugged him back. "Yeah, I will."
As I walked to school, each step echoed the bittersweet reality of the day. The chatter of my classmates filled the air as I entered the school gates. I knew I wasn't going to be missed. I kept walking.
Diana was waiting for me by the lockers, her eyes bright but with a hint of sadness lingering. We hugged, the kind of hug that lingers too long because we didn't want to let go. "I'll miss you," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. I nodded, not trusting my own voice. We reminisced about our favorite moments—late-night study sessions, silly jokes, and shared secrets. As we walked to class, we separated when we reached the door.
After saying goodbye, I stepped into the classroom, where the familiar scent of chalk and old books wrapped around me like a warm blanket. I had a few papers to complete—final assignments that needed my attention before I left. My teacher, Mr. Thompson, noticed my distracted demeanor and approached me, offering words of encouragement and a reassuring smile. "You'll do great in school," he said, patting my shoulder. He was always well-liked, probably because he was there to comfort people. Today, I found it comforting rather than annoying. But there was a weight to his words; it felt like more than just saying goodbye to school, but to the life I'd known.
As I settled into my seat and focused on the papers in front of me, I finished my work and gazed into the distance. When the bell rang, signaling the end of the day, I took a deep breath and gathered my things.
Walking out of school for the last time, I turned back to take a mental snapshot of the place that had been my second home. The laughter, the lessons, the friendships all swirled in my mind as I walked down the path toward home. For some reason, I felt poetic today.