1 1 - Just the Beginning

I, a young kid who was in the 5th grade, walked down the school's hallways with my backpack on my shoulders. Emotions rose as my feet dragged me to the classroom where my close friends were at. Once I stepped into the room, greetings were thrown at me, causing me to forget my sad emotions deep inside and planting a genuine smile on my face. I walked towards my seat and placed my bag down before heading to my group. One of my close friends pulled me in a bear hug, knowing what would happen after the day in school. My arms wrapped around her petite, tall figure, with my head buried on her shoulders. The rest came to me, one by one, and gave me warm hugs. Oh, how I'm lucky to have them in my life.

"Yo, do you need to go?" Jemi, my best friend ever since 3rd grade, asked, taking a seat beside me once we finished hugging each other. I leaned back on my chair as my eyes gazed at her. She has this sad expression.

I pursed my lips before saying, "Well, my dad is retired from his work. So, it means we need to go back home."

She nodded her head, thinking she couldn't do anything about it anymore. She needs to accept it, whether we like it or not.

We were just chatting and laughing about random things like the usual thing we always do every time there are breaks. The thought of leaving them behind faded away because they always cheer me up, even if it's effortlessly. Funny, entertaining people they can be, which is one reason why it is hard to leave them.

If you're wondering how we met, it all started during 1st grade when I was a new student at the Philippine National School in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. I was nervous back then because it was a new environment, and I didn't know that many people. I remember when my mom was by my side, cheering me up. On the other hand, my dad was the one driving. They both had these huge smiles that made me forget about my shaking figure. They know that I can do it, and they believe in me. So, when I got to the room for my first day, my nervousness was gone because of them. I'm thankful for that. I was seated at the back, and my eyes wandered around the small room filled with small kids like me. I was reticent until a young boy beside me greeted and waved at me.

"Hi! I'm Liam. What's your name?" he asked cheerfully.

With his active presence, I smiled at him and replied, "Hello, I'm Anee."

He was shocked, and handed his hand, "What a cute name like mine. Nice to meet you my new friend, Anee."

I giggled at his response and shook his hand, happily. "Nice to meet you too, my new friend, Liam."

I looked at my back and saw my mom giving me huge thumbs up with a cheerful expression on her face. I giggled with my small hands on my mouth, knowing that I can survive my first day in 1st grade. After getting to know some classmates of mine, the official day has started with us familiarizing ourselves with the teachers and subjects. Until at some point, the next school years were the best to be honest because we're strong being the same class which is incredible. This made our friendship stronger. During my years at PNS, I had this huge crush on a boy who is older grade year than me.

He is a dancer and a part of 5 member-group. They always perform whenever there are programs. They are popular. Anyway, I started to develop feelings for him when I was in 3rd grade. I will say that I am a dancer as well. I got inspired by a lot of choreographers. So, I make sure that he sees me when I dance, and eventually, he did. I am a cringe person back then as confidence is always in me. I just don't care about what others think about it because this is my life, my younger self once said.

Going back to the present time, it is hard for me to move on from everything because every moment that we have together as good friends in a class was memorable and unforgettable. Well, there is no other choice but to do what is meant to be. Even if it hurts, keep going no matter what happens.

After the whole day, this is the moment that I don't want to encounter ever. The time to say my farewell to my lovely classmates before I depart with my family to my hometown in the Philippines.

My friends and I walked to a corner where we usually hang out inside the room. That's where we broke down into tears and reunite for some time before my mom will pick me up. I dislike crying in front of people but witnessing my close friends crying, made me so emotional deep inside. Out of nowhere, a tear escaped from my right eye. I pulled Jemi to my arms for the last time, tightly as I know we will not be seeing each other for a long time.

"This is it bestie. The hour that I don't want to come." she cried.

I sighed sadly while nodding, and caressing her head. "I know, I know. Same here."

We pulled away. I looked at my friends who were in their downstate. I weakly smiled at them before stating, "I love you all so much. Thank you for being my companions during my stay here in Abu Dhabi. It's been 5 years of our friendship, and I treasure it with all my heart. It's so hard to say these words but I will say them anyway. Keep in mind that this is not the very last time we're going to see one another. There will be a moment where we will reunite, I guarantee you all. Bye, my lovely friends. I will miss you all."

Lyanna cried out loud as she pulled me in a hug. "I will miss you, Anee. We will truly miss you."

Kristine exclaimed, "Group hug!"

With that, they engulfed me in a huge, warm hug. There were sad-smiles on our faces. You can tell that we are still keeping up despite the pain in our hearts. We shout in joy with tear-stained cheeks and stayed positive. All of us went out of the building and spotted my mom talking to the teachers. She is close with everyone which is impressive. When she saw me, she walked towards us after saying bye to the teachers. My friends greeted her, and they told us to take care during our flight. We assure them that we will be safe and pray to the Lord for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

My mom and I walked towards the gate of the school with me admiring the campus one last time because for sure, I won't be able to see it once again. While I was gazing around, my eyes landed on my huge crush. He was having fun with his friends. I sad-smiled, tears dwelling up but were able to control them. I hoped he will be good because I will miss him, and I need to forget him or else it will badly hurt.

My crush for 3 years straight, bye for now.

My feet dragged me towards our car and went in the passenger seat while my mom placed my bag at the back. Once she settled on the driver's seat, her hand intertwined with mine, and gave me a reassuring smile that made me forget the pain. I returned that smile to give her a sign that I'm totally fine at the moment.

"Are you ready my dear?" she asked as she started the ignition, and opened the air condition. I wore my seat belt then looked at her, nodded my head.

"I'm born ready," I said. She laughed, shaking her head in amusement.

"Oh yeah, before I forget." She reached out something from the backseat and placed a brown bag on my lap. It gave me butterflies on my stomach as I screamed in joy internally. "Here is your favorite food, McDonald's. Well, I do know that you will feel down after bidding your goodbyes to your friends. This is to cheer you up."

I clapped happily as my hands opened the bag and found my favorite big mac, large fries, and a toy. I grabbed it, admiring the cuteness of it, and hugged my mom on the side. "Thank you so much, mom. You are the best."

She chuckled, nodding her head before handing me my McFloat. I took a sip out of it, tasting the sweetness of the beverage as it flows down on my dry throat.

"Anything for my pretty daughter. So, let's go? We need to do some last-minute packing and errands also."

I nodded while taking a huge bite of the sandwich on my hands. My mom turned the transmission from P to D as the car drove out of the parking spot. As we passed by the school, I smiled at it as memories flowed down one last time on my mind. There were no sad emotions anymore. All because of my parents who are ready to do anything for their child. An only child.

Oh, how I wish I have siblings.

Even if I don't have older or younger siblings, I'm still grateful that I have loving and supporting parents by my side. I just wish that I will experience having an older brother or sister so that I could talk to them about things in life especially my future. Being an only child is amazing. Your parents will be able to treat you and discipline you real good. But I'm not saying that people who have siblings are not well disciplined. The thing is the full attention is all on you. At the same time, it's kinda lonely because you don't have someone to be with whenever your parents are not around or when they are busy. There are tendencies that you talk to yourself but that's alright.

At least, you can practice how you speak and deliver what you want to say whenever you will have reporting to school or whatever it is, you know? Am I right or am I right?

The car drove away while I'm munching on my food. No turning back anymore, the future is ahead of us. Fear and nervousness were the things that I'm feeling at some point, getting ready for a new chapter of my life. It's time to change the environment. Moving on can be hard but it is worth it.

Let's just see what will happen to me in my last year in Elementary, and finally, High School will be opening up for me.