“We are so sorry to have to bring this up to you so soon, but your father and I had to make sure our plans would follow through before we had to worry you,” mom said, grinning at me as I sat there just listening to them. They always made sure I wasn’t worrying. It was their second job, I swear. I am grown up at this point, is still treating me like a child really necessary?

“You know we love you and feel awful having to do this, but we lucked out with your new school year starting the day we move in. You will be there for the first day and everyday from there so there is no need to worry about being behind,” dad chuckled. “Playing catch up is no fun, now is it?” he reminded me of the time I spent a week playing video games over actually doing my midterm work and I got to enjoy some summer work for a long while.

“Yes, it is a really lovely school! Also you will have a chance to make friends since it is a special school that offers so much for you, it is almost like a university there is so much inside! Your father and I took a chance to check it out and we just know you’ll love it,” mom’s enthusiasm is always contagious even if I am only half in the conversation and also tired.

“Trust us, we know you as well as you do, you are definitely going to be in heaven! I mean we made you that way, right?” dad laughed, tapping the table in humor.

Without a single word I remain eating my cereal as they both spew their stories and hopes on me. We are moving, there is no changing that. Dad got a better position and mom found a clinic that would transfer her over from her old job,and even at a small raise. Makes sense, no reason in blaming them. What is going to happen is going to happen. I hold no resentment toward them. It is not like I had much or anything for that matter at my old school.

“So…?” I blankly state shoveling another spoonful of cereal in my mouth. Nothing makes a morning better than sugar and oats. A truly classic combination. A breakfast of champions if you will.

“We will have you staying in a dorm in the school as we will be living quite a distance from it. Not that we won’t visit! But with a little bit of research we found that gamey store you work with is right outside of the campus.”

I cringe slightly as my mom says ‘gamey’. It just for some reason physically hurts. Can’t pinpoint why and really I don’t care… but for whatever reason I do. Is it because they embarrass me? Truly, that has to be it. They are so old fashioned, but I love them all the same.

“Oh, cool,” I said, shrugging.

“Seeing as you are the manager helper-” I sighed, cutting my mom off.

“Associate Senior Manager,” I stated. Took me forever to get that title, another thing that hurts when she says it, the way she does that is. I truly can’t tell if it's to screw with me or if she is just genuinely unaware of how many times I correct her about it. Or could be good old ignorance.

“Just let your mother talk,” dad sighed.

“Well they already planned and completed the transfer paperwork and details, you just need to swap keys with your replacement when you get the chance tomorrow for work. Shouldn’t take long.”

“I could have done all that, you know?” I said, raising my spoon. Watching the bit of milk on the spoon fall back to the bowl. What a crazy way to spend a morning. From the same grind over and over again to flipping my life over and around. A new school, a new job, and a new life? Is that viable in this situation? Who knows. Whatever I say, let’s get to it.

“You could have, but your mother wanted to be extra sure everything would work out,” dad responded, folding the newspaper up and setting it on the counter.

Right tomorrow. One more day before we leave my home… to this foreign place. I never really minded traveling, but it is a difference when you won’t return. That empty feeling… I won’t even be with my parents. All these years living under them, being able to depend on them, now none of that will hold true. At least I am sure we will keep in touch. It still is a bit worrying to have relied on someone for so long and suddenly realizing they won’t be there, whether I need them or not. It is an awkward feeling not being certain of what is going to happen but I soldier on anyway. No sense already defeating myself. Might as well fight the boss before they kill me a hundred times.

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Breakfast went on quietly after that as dad left for work and mom was preparing to leave as well on errands. I figured I would head to work and meet my replacement who was scheduled for today and tomorrow. No sense wasting time waiting for tomorrow when it can be done today. Mom’s go to attitude really has rubbed off on me.

I set off after changing my clothes to my soon to be old workplace. Such a weird feeling going through so much change so quickly, it felt oddly… satisfying, bittersweet maybe. I am not sure if it will feel that way for long though. It is nice feeling a new slate to make a new life for myself but at the same time, being used to an old life is reassuring.

I normally just ride my bike but today I wanted to soak everything in one last time, so I walked. It is a nice day out so no harm right? Wouldn’t take long before I got a text from one of the workers I wouldn’t see anymore. It was Chuck, one of the newer employees. 

>Hey man, hope the new job goes well. Call us!

Will do man, appreciate the work over the last few weeks.

>Best of luck! Keep in touch!

Of course, talk to you later.

And that is that. Not much to be said. He always was short and sweet and to the point. I always liked that. I put my phone away and noticed I am in the plaza the place is in. I must have lost track of time or have been walking really fast as I surprised myself. I approach the building and reach for the door. I opened it to be greeted professionally by one of the workers until they noticed it was me and let the facade off.

“Hey Chris.”

“Yo,” I say coolly.

“You’re my transfer, huh?” I hear someone say as I look by the counter. A young looking guy waves.

“I am.” He comes up and shakes my hand, surprisingly weak given the way he presents himself. I hand him my keys and he does the same.

“Thanks.” It felt awkward as the atmosphere around the guy felt… off. Is this me being jealous, salty, or some sort of other bitter feeling toward the guy? I kind of felt bad having that thought but I worked here for years to get the position he is just sort of showing up and taking. Ah, I am sure he also worked hard to get to this position… I hope.

“Yup.”

“So how does it feel, man? Finally leaving this place and going out to some new fancy school?” the guy jested.

“My mom must have really blabbed on, right?” I joked. “It's a bit nerve racking, I won’t lie. But I also must say, I am excited nonetheless. I’ll miss you guys though, but you know the store I am transferring to. Keep in touch.” I began to notice a few customers walk in and the conversation breaks off. I high fived the guys before leaving for the last time. Far well my first love. This was a nice location with some really nice customers. Guess we'll see how the new store compares. Doubt it will.

 I didn’t really plan on doing anything and it seems they had a few needy customers so I just left. Not much for goodbyes anyways. If they wish to keep in touch they have my number as well as the new stores.

I just returned home and slumped down on the couch. I listened to some music and wrote a bit for the book I was trying to publish. A videogame nerd and a closet writer, could I be any less weird? Probably why I only really have one friend. I must have gotten really into it as before I knew it the parents were back from work and preparing dinner. Oh that sound of the utensils doing their work and the smell of a successful cook. I will miss this pampering.

The day goes on normally as hopefully tomorrow will, until the big day that was tomorrow's, tomorrow. The day after tomorrow. Whatever you want to call it, it will be here quickly. Everything was packed that I could fit and wished to take. My parents had a huge yard sale to pay for some expenses and I sold a bunch of junk too so I wouldn’t have to deal with it. And also for the fact that dorm rooms were not spacious by design. I got enough cash to hold me for a few days if I wanted groceries, besides that which my parents told me they would give me. Also of course work.

We all got settled into the car as a quick dinner and loading of the car led rapidly to us being on the road. Mom gave me a brochure on the school, a weird time to have. It would have been nice to see a while back when this was all starting. I can’t complain though and happily skim it.

Like a theme park, the brochure mentioned everything about the campus and everything it had. Might as well just be a blank paper with the word ‘EVERYTHING’ on it. I lost interest after turning page after page of words. Not even any pictures! I laughed to myself criticizing their work. Mom and dad just talked small while we rode to our new home. I zoned in and out and mostly lost track of time and where we were. Cars just do that don’t they?

I force a smile and poke my cheek. Time to think positive. I haven’t broken down yet so it is bound to happen. I gotta stay cheerful. New life, new me! Ha! Ha…

But seriously, what a way to spend my last Saturday at my home, by leaving it. All this history is gone by the way so quickly. My first confession, my first home, my first life… all gone now. Nothing but a memory to add to the bank that I will probably forget soon enough. We hit a big bump, causing mom to scold dad and I remembered.

I also hate car rides…