December 24 came early that year. And that wasn’t a good thing. I couldn’t believe the day has come. I dreaded that day coming that year, the year 2016. It was time for me to say goodbye. Goodbye to my home I’ve lived in for 10 years. Goodbye to my neighbors that have looked after me during those 10 years. Goodbye to all the memories I have. Most importantly, goodbye to my best friend, and to his family I call my own.

10 years before moving day

I had no expectations for what was to come. It was the start of many firsts for me. First day of school. Starting pre-k at Favorite Time Academy, I see my mother in the corner of my eye, sobbing, as she watches her little twin daughters leave her for the first time. I step out of the car, and begin my new adventure. The world looked so big from my small point of view. Me and my sister, hand in hand, walk into the enormous brick building. When we entered our classroom, we were greeted by two friendly faces. Mrs. Shannon and Mrs. Jennifer (yes, I still remember their names 13 years later). I settled in to my small chair, ready for the day to begin. 

Suddenly, a boy approached me. His name was Darian, and it would take me awhile to get his name down. He stood 3’4 and had a smile that went on for miles. He had big brown eyes that could look deep into your soul. He wore a Pokemon shirt, blue jeans, and Nike sneakers. He had struck up a conversation with me without any trouble, and at that moment, I never could imagine how important he would become to me.

Our mothers had planned a playdate for us. He would come over to my house to play. I sat in a chair, waiting for him to come. After what felt like a lifetime, I see a big black Lincoln pull into my driveway. I shot up with joy. I waited for my mom to answer the door. She welcomed them into our home. We waited for his mom to leave so the real fun can begin. I asked him what he wanted to do. He shrugged. Instead of sitting in front of the eye-straining screen, I dragged him outside. The sun scorched down on us. It had been any other 90 degree day in Georgia. The outdoors had felt like you were standing right in front of this great big fireball. The sidewalk had burned the flesh off of our feet. In my head, I knew what I wanted to do. The three words that could start caos. I prepare myself for what was to come. “Tag, you’re it.” I bolted down the street. He chased me up and down the mountainous streets of Bentleaf Drive. We came up on a dead end. I was trapped. Nowhere to go. I couldn’t disappear into the depths of the forests behind me because my mom told me not to. He tags me. I beg him to stop playing. The sun had sucked the energy out of me. We head back to my house, wondering what our next adventure was going to be. Thus, started what would be a lifetime of us being best friends and being there for each other.

4 months before moving day

It was like any other day. I got up, got ready, and went to school. What I didn’t know was that my life was going to change. My sister was ready for the change, I wasn’t. Walking through my front door, I had a smile on my face, ready to tell my mom and dad how my day was. As soon as my dad said those four words, I knew my life was over. With tears running down my face, I realize that I would have to live the rest of my life 12 hours away from my best friend. I ran to my room. As soon as I closed my door, I collapsed. It had felt like I was carrying 200 pounds of pure emotion. I immediately called my best friend. I had joked about moving before, but by sound of voice and cries, he knew this was no joke. 

The next day at school, the air felt heavy. Heavy as if my whole world has fallen on me.  At school, I was known as this bubbly kid. I was smiling all the time. That day though, it had felt like I could burst into tears at any moment. My teachers knew something was up when they saw my watery eyes. When I got to gym class, that’s when I lost it. Seeing my best friend, I didn’t know what to think or say. All I could think about was the 10 years leading up to where we were now. And it was the best 10 years of my life with him by my side. We both decided we weren’t going to dwell on how many months we had left. Instead we were going to make the most of it. And let me tell you, we did. 

3 days before move day

Me and Darian had planned a going away party. We had invited my closest friends, but all I cared about was Darian being there. I get there, and I see this whole fiesta with balloons and food. In no way did I think I deserved that. The one thing missing was Darian. Where was he? Suddenly, I see him running towards me from his backyard (his backyard backed up to this park, where we had the party). He was holding something, but I didn’t know what. He leaped over the fence, and then he was in front of me, handing me the box. It was a friendship bracelet, saying “best friends forever.” I started to tear up, but I stopped myself. I put the bracelet, and never took it off. 

The night before moving day

I can’t believe it. Today. Today is my last day in Georgia. I become overwhelmed by the thought of it. I will have to leave my whole life behind. Leave behind everything I have ever known and loved. Leave behind all the memories and friendships I have created. Leave behind my best friend. 

Me and Darian meet up in the park with a couple of other people. We mostly just sit and talk. The day went by so fast, which meant my last day was coming to an end. Our friends left, leaving me and Darian. Darian’s dad picks us up, and drives me back to my house. We say goodbye, but we both know we will find a way to see each other again. 

Darian’s mom and sister were just coming home from shopping when they stopped by our house to say goodbye. I took that as an opportunity to go be with Darian. They gladly take me with them, and I surprised Darian by showing up to his house. We acted like nothing was wrong. When we look at the time, it was 11. It was time for me to leave. A tear runs down my face. This was it. This was the last time I will see him for a long time. He tries to cheer me up, but there was no use. We hug each other, and I never wanted to let go. I wanted to hug him forever, because I knew that when I let go, that means goodbye. They drive me home, and that would be the last time I would see him for a year.

Now

Now, we are still best friends. I still carry around the bracelet he gave me before I moved. Last year when I went to Georgia, the first thing I did was go see him. I tried to surprise him, but he knows me better than I know myself. He was expecting me. He was the first and last person I saw before coming back to Michigan. He is the person I go to for everything. He is my shoulder to cry on when I am upset. He is the person I go to when something makes me happy or I did something that made me proud. He is the person I go to when I need to complain about something. He is my person. He is still and will forever be my best friend.