Breathe

I take my first step into my newest school. I’m overwhelmed by the sudden change in atmosphere from the gloomy weather outside to the lively school buzzing with excitement for the new school year. My parents are constantly having us move from town to town across America, I’m typically at a new school each year. I think it’s just because they want to travel and see everything, but they don’t understand how hard it is to get close to people when you know in a year you won’t be in contact with them anymore. I’ve already decided that this year I’m not going to get attached to anyone. As I’m standing in the entrance I see about a dozen people stare at me but two certain people stick out to me, a girl with pin straight blonde hair and another with big curly red hair. I go to the office to get my schedule, head to my first class, and sit down at the only table with a free seat. The two girls I noticed earlier were sitting at the same table. 

“Hi I’m Jess! Are you new? I don’t recognize you.” the girl with the red hair exclaimed at me. 

The other girl also introduces herself “I’m Anna!” I admire how welcoming and energetic they are.

“Yeah I am new. I’m Brooke,” I could barely squeeze the words out of my mouth.  

“So I’m guessing you don’t have any friends yet, so we’ll be your friends!” Jess says way louder than me. I contemplated whether or not I should accept the offer, I decided I’m going to stick to myself this year but they are nice. I think for a moment longer and decide.

“No thank you,” I whispered in response. If I’m being true to myself these girls would be the kind of people I would be friends with, but I can’t get my hopes up and I can’t get attached.

“Oh. Umm…okay,” Jess looks over at Brooke worriedly. The way her smile dropped into a confused expression crushed me.

 “I’m sorry, it’s not anything you did, you seem really cool. I just move a lot, so it would be useless to make friends just to leave them,” my mouth actually moved faster than my head.

“Thank goodness! I think you should still be our friend though,” Jess seemed so relieved. Brooke nodded in agreement.

“If you don’t mind me asking, why do you move a lot?” Brooke asked curiously.

“If I’m being honest, I’ve never asked,” I respond more calmly now.

“Oh my gosh! You should totally ask them if you can stay here so we can be friends forever!” Jess squealed. I’ve never had friends that have made me want to stay in the new town I moved to, but this time might be different.

“You know what? Why not? I’ll ask my mom when I get home,” 

I found a sudden confidence when I said that, but started to regret saying it as the day went on. The rest of the school day seemed to take ages, but I was pleased to learn that I had all of my classes with my new found friends. I walked out of the front doors and found my mother’s car a little bit down the line of parents waiting for their kids. While walking to her car, my heart was about to beat out of my chest. Why am I so nervous about this? I open the door to the car, toss my backpack by my feet, and sit down. My mom asks about my first day and I tell her about Jess and Anna. Thinking about my friends, I decide to overcome my fears and ask my mom. Brooke breathe.

“Mom, why do we move towns so much?” I peeped out.

She thinks for a moment before explaining, “Well, you seemed so unhappy in all of your other schools, you never had any serious friendships, so your father and I thought you wanted to move.”

“Well I was wondering, before you make any more plans, if we could stay here? I’ve made two really amazing friends.” My heart is beating slow and steady, waiting for her response.

“Honey, of course!” my mom squealed. I think this is the most excited my mom has been in a while. I immediately turn on my phone and message Anna and Jess with the recently added phone numbers that I’m able to stay. My screen is filled with messages from the two of them flooding into the chat. They’re almost as over the moon for this as I am. I spent the rest of the day on the phone with them and unpacking the boxes that filled my room. After hours of giggles, my room was my own. Maybe having friends isn’t so bad.