1 Chapter One

Today will be the happiest day of the year for me. I'm entering high school and the school is having a party with music and dance. But this is something normal that everyone likes, the real reason I'm so excited is that it will be my first public performance, singing and playing the guitar. I've been preparing for a year and I really want everything to be all right.

The presentation will still be in a few hours, but I'm still rehearsing in one of the classrooms. Everything so as not to make a mistake.

- Why are you here? I know that you will do well. - Lana enters the room and sits across from me. Last year she performed at the spring dance and is considered by students to be the best.

- I just want to guarantee that I will not embarrass myself in front of more than 600 students.

- If that happens, you won't be the first or the last.

- I don't want to be on the list. - I turn my attention to the song I'm playing.

- I never had that. Feeling afraid to perform, I think I never needed it because I have so much confidence in myself. - She and her failed attempts to motivate me. I just nod, not looking at her. - Me, Lia and your parents will be rooting for you.

- I know. I'm not going to make a mistake, I just want to make sure I'm good enough. - I lift my head and face her. - Do not worry.

- Your presentation is in an hour. Good luck. - She leaves the room, I look at the clock and it really is an hour away.

I arrange my guitar inside the cover, and take one last look at myself in the mirror. I was not that exaggerated but that simple. I was wearing a slightly more elaborate bun, a medium-sized, light blue dress with lace sleeves, a small white heel and simpler makeup. Looking at the mirror, I feel uncomfortable about the hair, I don't really match that hairstyle, but my mother insisted so much on using it that I couldn't say no. All I'm wearing today was she who chose it, including the dress she sewed. Of course I didn't like it at all but I couldn't make she sad with so much excitement in your eyes.

I pick up my guitar and leave the room, towards the stage, where there are some small performances and I sit on the benches waiting for my turn.

The principal draws the attention of all students to give a short speech about our evolution and everything. I think that is the biggest bullshit, everything she says is a lie so I don't pay much attention.

- Sorry to interrupt your dance. Well, after today you will go to a world a little different from what you know. All of you, throughout the year, showed your skills, your dreams and your goals, I hope that everyone will be able to achieve it someday. High school is one of the best phases of school life, I hope you enjoy it well, and learn from it.

It was a good year working with you, and for a goodbye, I would like to invite student Ayla Jones to the stage. - Everyone claps their hands as soon as I go on stage. I start to observe the audience and as soon as I see my parents, I have a huge smile.

- It was a pleasure to study at that school. I hope you all have new experiences and a great life. And to end this wonderful night, I would like to present one of the songs that I wrote during the year. - I pick up my guitar and face the microphone. The time has come.

I can't fail, not today. Today it needs to be perfect.

The presentation was great, I didn't miss a note or chord. In the end everyone applauded, I got off the stage and went to talk to my parents who were with their usual expressions.

- And then? What did you think? - I was very happy waiting to hear some compliment from them.

- With so many classes you took, I think I could have played a little better. - My father says.

- Well, at least you sang very well. - He faced my father and then gave me a hug.

- Anyway, you did very well today. - He just looks at me and leaves.

- He didn't have great news today at work, don't worry about him. - My mom says.

- Every day he has bad days.

- Well, your friends are coming, we will be waiting for you in the car. - She leaves and my friends arrive.

Lana and Amanda hug me, celebrating my success on stage.

- You were wonderful today, Ayla. - Amanda says.

- I told you I didn't have to worry. - Lana says, with a small smile.

- Well, it was the first time that I introduce myself to many people, I think I did well this time.

- Of course it was, it just wasn't as good as Lana's but you were wonderful. - Lia enters the conversation and hugs me.

- Thank you, Lia.

- We will all be here to support you always. - I can hear a different tone in your voice, but I don't comment. They always talk to me like that, they can be like that but I think they want my good.

- Thanks girls. Now I need to go, my parents are waiting for me. - I wave at them and head towards the parking lot.

Once there, I open the door and get in the car. Mine are strangely quiet. More than normal. We left with the car and half the trip was total silence, my parents stared at each other sometimes and it bothered me.

- Why are you like this? Was it something I did? - I ask breaking the silence.

- When we get home we talk about it, Ayla. - My father says without taking his attention off the road.

- No, I need you to tell me now what's going on. - I look at my mother in the hope that she will tell me the truth.

- Remember I said that at work today we didn't have good news? - She sighs and I agree. - Your father was fired and I was transferred to another sector.

- How so transferred to another sector? And why were you fired? - The two look at each other and he sighs.

- We will have to move.

- And what's the problem with that? There are several houses for rent around here. - I lean against the seat and look at the car window.

- Ayla, we're going to have to move to Canada. - My mom says and looks at her hands.

- But I just graduated. I'm going to enter high school next year. - My despair starts to emerge little by little.

- It is necessary. We are going back to my country and there is nothing more to discuss. - She looks at me with a stern look. - I know it is not what you want but unfortunately it is what we have.

- But that's not right. I'm right here and I don't want to leave. - Tears are already forming in my eyes.

- I'm sorry, there's nothing we can do. We are going to travel next week, you still have a few days to say goodbye to everyone.

I don't answer any more. I look back at the car window and let the tears fall. I don't want to leave, I want to stay.

- The language is the same. This will not be a problem for you. - This time my father says.

- Everything will be a problem for me. - This whole idea is a problem. I definitely don't want to move.