For as long as Aria could remember, she needed to leave her small town: Hueco Aldea.

Nothing was wrong with the small town, Aria loved it.

The people are amazing, the food's delicious, and the Ruby Lips drive-in theater is adorable. Beautiful nature trails that smell crisp when summer shifts into winter.

Amazing right?

So why does Aria want to leave so badly?

Not a clue.

On Aria's thirteenth birthday, after blowing out the candles, she was asked: "What did you wish for Baby?"

"I want to live in Ligera City," she answered.

That wasn't what her Moms expected.

They thought she would wish for a greenhouse or a little nursery.

Nope.

Their only child wants to leave home.

Of course, they didn't want Aria to go, but like any good parents, they supported their child. It would be a lie if they said they weren't hoping Aria would grow out of her teenage dream.

Maybe it'll be like when she grew out of wearing mini skirts over her jeans. Just a phase that would slowly go away.

Hope was banished when Aria started saving up the second she got her first job,

And the job after that.

And the job after that.

And the job after that.

For every paycheck, 25% went towards Aria's dream.

Dream to leave her wonderful, small country, town. To live in a beautiful metropolis.

"And you promise to video chat at least once a week?" Benny asked, helping Aria tape up the last of her boxes.

"Yes Momma," Aria promised with a roll of her eyes, not able to stop the small quirk in her lips.

"And you're sure the apartment is yours? You can always stay another week!"

"Momma!"

"Babe, enough," Val chuckled, walking into her child's room.

Wrapping an arm around her wife's waist, Val smiled up at her, "Aria will be alright."

"Thank you Ma," Aria praised before giving her Momma a, teasing, pointed look.

"I know, I know," Benny said after a few calming breaths, "It's just-"

"She's growing up and wants to be independent," Val reminded Benny.

Picking up two boxes, Aria quickly made her way outside. Leaving her Ma to console her Momma. Reminding Benny, again, that Aria is a grown and ambitious young woman.

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One who worked very, very, hard to get to this exact moment in life.

Putting the boxes in the trailer, Aria turned to look at her childhood home.

A cute little two-story home. The red clay bricks surrounding the windows match the red front door. Cream walls and coble stone roofs made the red bricks and door pop more. Surrounded by flower beds and a vegetable garden that Aria and Val planted together.

Memories of playing a fairy living inside the woods that sat at the edge of the cottage bloomed in Aria's mind.

Her perfect little home.

Heart growing heavy, she let out a sad sigh.

Oh, how she was going to miss all of this.

If she didn't have this deep need to go to Ligera City, Aria would just stay home. Start a nursery with a variety of flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Maybe even have after-school programs for the kids. Teach them how they can grow plants and maybe even teach them how cross-pollination works.

Walking out of the house, Val followed right behind Benny. The two carrying the last of their child's boxes.

As they walked closer, Aria heard her Ma still calming her Momma's worries.

Placing the last of Aria's boxes in the trailer, Val pulled the door down and locked it in place.

"So, you're meeting Tommy tomorrow?" Val asked.

"Yeah, they're gonna show me a favorite boba spot of theirs before we go to the local greenhouse," Aria answered.

"And you're sure they are who they say they are?" Benny asked.

"Momma, you video chatted with Tommy!" Aria responded, starting to get frustrated.

"Benny. She. Will. Be. Fine," Val emphasized each word to her wife.

"I know that Val! It's just-!" Benny stopped, turning from her wife to her child, eyes glossing with tears, "When did you grow up so fast?"

Frustration disappeared like smoke in the wind and Aria's shoulders slumped.

"Momma," Aria pouted.

So quick to run off and start her new life, Aria didn't take a second to stop. Take time to soak in her last moments with her moms.

Sure there will be major holidays, birthdays, and maybe a random vacation now and then.

However.

No longer will she be waking up in her room. The amazing smell of Val's breakfast floating in. Weed-pulling weekends will be Benny's responsibility only now. First of the month sundaes won't be side by side, but over video chat. Midnight coffees will be had alone.

Wrapping Benny into a close hug, Benny held her child just as tight. Hugging the two most important people to her close, Val kissed her child's head.

Everything just became all too real, Aria was leaving.

"I promise to video chat every Sunday and will send you so many stupid coffee selfies," Aria's sorrows were muffled in her Momma's soft cardigan.

"There's never gonna be enough," Val teased, a small hiccup in her voice.

Pulling away from the hug, Val cupped Aria's face and smiled at her.

"You're the single greatest thing we've done," Val said before kissing her daughter on the forehead.

"You have enough snacks? Water? How much gas?" Benny asked, rubbing the tears away from her eyes.

"Yes, yes, and enough to get me halfway," Aria answered, giving Benny one last tight hug.

Giving Val the same hug, Val lifted Aria off her feet. Just like when she was a kid and needed to feel better.

"Call us as soon as you get there, no matter the time," Val said.

"I will," Aria promised.

Sliding into her pastel blue car, its engine roared to life after she buckled up.

Looking out her window, Aria smiled at her moms' and gave a tearful wave before moving forward. Every few seconds, Aria would look into her mirror. Watching as her moms' grow smaller and smaller.

One last glance and Aria's moms were no longer in view.

Sucking in a sharp breath, Aria held it in. Trying to keep her tears at bay.

Driving through her small town, Aria would smile and wave at familiar faces. Receiving a few: "Good luck!" shouts along the way.

It was getting harder to keep the tears in.

The small downtown buildings turned into markets, that turned into neighborhoods. From neighborhoods to houses. Houses into farmland.

At the end of the farmland was the farewell sign.

"Leaving Hueco Aldea,

Come back home soon!"

Then it was just Aria and the open road.

Still refusing to cry, because it wasn't a sad day, just had a sad moment.

This wasn't the end, just a new life starting.

A new life in Ligera City. The City Aria's heart is calling out to.

Looking at her fingers, Aria wiggled them a little. A dusting of green magic danced off of them before settling to nothing.

Maybe she'll meet someone with magic as strong as hers. Maybe they'll know why her magic was stronger than her family's.

More alive.

Only one way to find out.

Get ready Ligera City, Aria Taylor is on her way.