I look up at the trees above me, each one painted in an assortment of orange and red leaves. All of them anxiously waiting for their moment to break free from the branches and drift to the floor. This calming and colourful scene can only mean one thing: fall has begun. This means that along with the many fall-inspired treats coming out in the Starbucks near you, school is also vastly approaching.

For someone starting their senior year, I should be bubbling with excitement and wanting that first day to start already. This year is one of the most important years of my school career. This year I will be filling out and sending off my college applications. Not to mention there is a prom to look forward to. An evening with girls wearing their best evening clothes, boys in handsome suits and dancing with your date. If you are lucky enough to get one.

It is the year to cherish every little moment you have left with your friends as you might not see them after graduation. But more importantly, it is the year that yells goodbye to childhood, and hello to adulthood! Hello, world here I come.

Like I said before, I should be excited, but I'm not. For me, this year is already proving itself to be a bittersweet one that I honestly don't see getting better.

Four months ago my dad made the world-shattering announcement that he was offered a better position in his job. Under normal circumstances, I would be proud of my dad, and don't get me wrong I am. It's not the position I am mad at, it's what it means for my family that really sucks. His boss wants to make him the manager of the new branch he is opening in Los Angeles.

It was a very happy and sad moment. The perfect example of a bittersweet moment. I was happy because my dad finally got the management position he had been working so hard for and so rightly deserved. But, I'm sad because we will have to move. I have to leave my school, my life here, and all of my friends behind.

So in two days, I will be starting my final year of high school in a new school in a new city with zero friends. Lucky me!

After my father announced his horrifying news, my friends–Rose and Lola–and I have been spending every free moment we have together.

I met Rose and Lola back in kindergarten. This boy named Buck was picking on me when the next thing I knew two girls rushed to my aid and shoved Buck into this giant mud pie that some other kid made ruining his brand-new shoes. Buck cried while we were bonding over our love of the Muppets and chocolate.

Back when I told them the news their immediate reaction was to laugh. I can't blame them, after all,  I would have done the same. They thought I was just joking, but when they saw I was being serious we curled into a group hug and wept together.

"Vega, did you get everything out of your room? Cause if you leave something we can't just ride back here," my dad chuckles as he casually leans against the car allowing the sun to bake on his face which makes pale blue almost grey eyes shine.

"Yeah Dad, I've got everything," I groan, making sure he knows I don't fully approve of this move.

"Can you please try to look excited about this? You might land up liking Los Angeles."

With a sigh, I cross my arms over my chest.

"I doubt it. I'm not going to have any friends at school."

"You will make new friends."

"They won't be as good as the ones I have here."

With a smile on his face, he leans forward and kisses my forehead.

"You never know, sweetie. You might just find someone who will become the most important person in your life."

I scoff and roll my eyes. "I highly doubt that."

"Okay, we are ready to go," my mom announces, closing the trunk of the car with a loud thud.

My mom was like me when she heard we had to move. She was worried about what it meant for her and her job. My mom is a lawyer and a damn good one. When my dad said we had to move my mom was worried about her career and all that she had achieved here in New Jersey. But, her boss sent a recommendation for the biggest law firm in Los Angeles. When they saw the number of wins my mom has they accepted her in the blink of an eye. She no longer has anything to worry about this move. 

Neither of them do.

"You sure I can't just get emancipated and stay here while you guys go to Los Angeles? It will only be for a year."

"Just get the car, we don't want to be late for our flight," my mom says. 

"Vega!" two familiar voices calls out to me.

For the first time today, a smile forms on my lips as I turn around and come face to face with my friends.

"You didn't think we were gonna let you leave without saying goodbye did you?" Lola says with a sniffle. I know she is holding back tears in those doe-like eyes of hers.

"I knew you wouldn't," I laugh, but it's a sad laugh.

She smiles and wipes her tears away with the sleeve of her new jacket. 

"Text us, like all the time," Rose practically commands me as she twists her dark braids between her fingers. It's a trait of hers I've seen so may times. A simple motion which means one thing ad one thing only: she is upset.

"I'll try," I mumble. 

"Vega, we have to get going!" my dad calls from the car.

Lola and Rose pull me into their warm embrace, with Rose towering over both Lola and me; she is six feet, while the two of us standing at five feet and seven inches.

"I'll miss you guys so much," I sob, hot tears streaming down my face like little rivers.

Lola and Rose are also crying.

"This year won't be the same without you girl," Lola cries into my shoulder.

"You have to call us every day and tell us everything that happens." Rose sniffles and her hands grip my shoulders making me look her in the eye.

"I will, and the same to you guys."

Lola smiles and nods "We will. And don't worry you will make great friends over there." 

"No one will ever replace you guys."

"Vega, we have to go!" my mom yells.

"Goodbye," I sniffle pulling them into a final hug.

"Goodbye," they sob together.

I pull away, quickly rush to the car and slide into the back seat. The car hums to life, and we slowly pull out of the driveway.

I look up at our apartment complex one last time. Even though the house wasn't much it was ours. I grew up in it. Memories of the birthday parties I had here, riding my bike, and walking my dog Tina flood my mind. This year will be one of saying goodbye to old things and saying hello to the new. This is a chapter of my life I am saying goodbye to. The door is closing and a new one is opening in Los Angeles.

As we drive down the quiet street I look back at Lola and Rose still standing by the end of the driveway holding each other for dear life.

"Don't worry sweetie this move will be for the best. You'll see."

I truly wish I could believe my dad's words. I want them to settle in my heart but as of yet, they are not even breaking the surface.

***

"Please fasten your seatbelts for take off," the robotic voice echoes from the intercom. 

I click my seat belt into place and settle into my seat resting my head on the soft headrest behind me. 

"Are you okay, honey?" my mom eventually asks taking my hand in hers. I want to pull back because of how cold her hand is but I decide not to. 

"I'll be okay," I mumble with a small smile tugging at my lips. 

Nodding she releases my hand and looks forward again. 

Turning my head to the side I look out of the window as the plane takes off into the clear blue sky. I silently watch as we fly further and further away from New Jersey.

"Goodbye," I whisper.

Just like that the first chapter is over. Vega is heading to Los Angeles, the only question is will it be the hell she thinks it will be?