The End of the World
Ariella
Everything felt wrong. It seemed like my whole world was crumbling around me like a dry cake. I felt absolutely numb while my parents told me that we were moving. They tried explaining what a lovely place Daniel Island was, but in my mind all I herd was isolation. A prison away from everything I knew.
I grew up and had lived in the same place all my life. I had mountains to roam, we would camp and practically live in nature. I had so many childhood friends but my best friends were Britt, Eliza, and their boyfriends Matt and Trey. I've never minded being the fifth wheel as they never made me feel excluded. Matt and Trey were like the brothers I never asked for but I loved them anyway.
Britt and I had met in kindergarten when the blonde, tiny girl shared her Barbie's at our preschool on my first day. Britt and Matt met when Britt got her first job and I welcomed him into our group with ease. I met Eliza later in high school when I realized none of my friends were in my lunch and I was drawn to this the auburn-haired beauty who had so much confidence I wished I could attain even a fraction. Eliza met Trey during high school and they too were inseparable.
How could I leave them? How could I start over in a new place not knowing anyone?
Despite having some of the greatest friends in the world, my parents agreed I needed to be around kids of my own kind... whatever that meant. They just decided to take jobs on an island where I knew no one without even consulting me! This had to be some form of torture. Maybe I could beg my parents to let me live with Britt who was also an only child and always wanted me to stay. Britt's parents even had a room for me when we had sleepovers, although I usually just passed out in Britt's room.
I looked in the mirror and noticed the dark circles starting to form under my turquoise eyes. I noticed how my wavy, golden hair was getting too long for my liking. It was almost to my elbows and I preferred it near my shoulders. I'd have to fix that soon... or maybe not in protest. If I was going to have to start over why should I be the same person. Maybe I could have Britt's kind heart and Eliza's courage.
"Ariella come down for dinner...," my mother yelled from downstairs. One last supper, I thought. I trudged down the stairs in my comfy pj pants and tank-top. If they refused to consult me, I refused to look "presentable" for dinner.
Walking around to the kitchen I noticed my father with his glasses and serious face. I took the most after him with his quiet demor, blonde locks and turquoise eyes. He was tall and I imagined him being like the super heros on some of my favorite movies. He never seemed to look tired and always helped those in need.
My mother was also tall with long, brown hair that fell into perfect curls and beautiful green eyes. She seemed perfect in every way. She was also the best cook. Everyone loved being around her and she seemed to have all the confidence I wished I could have.
I wanted desperately to stay mad at them but how could you be mad with those wonderful smells and seeing how happy they seemed? Looking at my parents interact was the embodiment of love. Seeing the way their eyes would find each other or how my dad would offer to hello with the most simple task. My mom would make all his favorite foods and wait on him with any need he could possibly have. They were constantly touching one another even if it was subtle. I wondered if I'd ever find my perfect person, my other half, and look that happy.
"Are you all packed? The movers will be here first thing in the morning," my Dad said cheerfully. That brought me back down to reality. Moving... the end of the world as I knew it, at least for any seventeen year old girl who only had one year of high school left.
"Are you SURE I can't just move in with Britt for my senior year?" I whined. "The Grey's won't mind and I'd even have my own room there."
Mom smiled and it made me think of someone when they had a secret they were dying to tell. "We would miss you entirely too much! Besides, you're going to love Daniel Island. It's got gorgeous beaches and our new house sits right between the ocean and some thick woods. It'll be just like being here with a bonus."
I slumped in my chair. Yeah without civilization or my favorite people in the whole wide world, I thought.
My dad, the voice of reason, spoke up next. "Maybe your friends could come visit for Spring Break. I'm sure they'd love a nice beach get-away!" Mom seemed less enthuisastic but nodded her approval. Great! A week of normal after the chaos of uprooting my entire life.
I smiled the best I could muster and ate moms chicken pot pie. It was literally her best one yet and my favorite which I know she did on purpose to butter me up. Now this meal will be spoiled for me forever by the dread of the end of the world. At least the end of my world.
