I taped shut the last of my boxes and glanced across the room, filled with nothing but large suitcases and containers loaded with years of memories. After thinking about it for months, the day had finally arrived. We were moving.

I watched as the furniture was loaded into the moving truck, tears streaming down my face. I had spent ten years of my life in this house and leaving it all behind proved to be more difficult than I anticipated. I walked around and bid adieu to my childhood. Building up some courage, I hurried out the door without taking a look behind, afraid that I would not be able to leave.
I got into my dad’s new car and realized that everything around me was changing so quickly. I gazed through the car window as the spring leaves changed colors and the flowers began to perish. 
Before I realized, my brother eagerly announced, “We’re here!” How was he so excited about this? I surmised that the town we lived in did not matter to him because he was now in high school with students from all over the county. He would go to the same school and have the same friends no matter where we resided. On the contrary, I would have to be the “new kid” and create new friends at school. Nevertheless, I anxiously awaited the first day of school. I was enthusiastic to meet new people and begin sixth grade, although I would deeply miss my old friends.
After a week of moving in, the majority of the boxes had been unpacked and I was beginning to get adjusted to this new town. My bright chandelier illuminated my spacious room, decorated with photo collages, inspirational quotes, and small trinkets from my old home. With it’s lilac walls and walk-in closet, I remembered how years ago I always hoped to move to a bigger house with my dream room. I finally had it however, for some reason, I still was not truly happy.
“Just give it some time”, my mom kept reciting to me, wishing I would stay hopeful. I always responded with a nod and a half smile, trying to mask my sorrow. As days went by, my half smile turned into a genuine one and I was beginning to cherish each day as I sat by the pool or walked to local restaurants. It had only been a week since I had moved and I deeply missed the comfort of my old house but, this town had so much more to offer that I had never been acquainted to before. I could not wait for new memories to be created in this town but, above all, I could not wait for school to begin. At last, the first day arrived.
I hoped to make friends quickly at school and I knew that a brown bag lunch and mediocre school supplies would not suffice. I had persuaded my mom to buy me a personalized lunchbox and backpack set and locker decorations weeks in advance. I quickly threw on the cutest outfit that I owned and ran to the car to leave. I was beyond prepared for this day, but my palms became sweaty and my stomach sunk. Throughout the car ride, thousands of questions filled my mind. Will I make any good friends? Am I ready to start school again? What if I have difficult teachers? I tried my best to ignore them as my mom pulled into the entrance.
“Good luck!”, my mom said as I grabbed my backpack and jumped out the car. I gave her a quick grin and rushed in to begin my first day at last. Throughout the day, I met several people who I connected to and immediately became friends with them. I had wonderful teachers that were understanding and helpful. Above all, I did not feel like an outsider.
BRRRING. The school bell rang. My first day at school had ended. As I grabbed some books from my locker, my friends shouted, “Come on! We’re going to the mall!”
Since that day, my perception of new experiences changed forever and I could not be happier that I was once new to this town. I still look back and remember that day that I taped shut the last of those boxes and brought along all those memories with me, making sure there was plenty of space for more.