Love in 90 Days: A Journey to Forever

I was about to pull off my pink sweater which my best friend,Amy, bought me last week as her parting gift when my cat, Maxie, tried to snatch his toy again from the piles of things that I packed. My parents decided to move back to Crestview for some reasons that I, myself, hate talking about. I don't know if they're just bored or whatever but moving back there, to the town I'm not even familiar with is just so annoying that I just wanted to disappear. Well, my parents do own a business there, or I could simply say that most of the businesses there, be it a salon, restaurant, a*****e, pawnshop, anything you could think of was owned by them. Well, maybe not everything, because as I have heard, there's also another family who also dominated the said town because of their wealth. As I reach down to retrieve Maxie's toy, a pang of sadness washes over me. Amy's departure still feels fresh, like an open wound that refuses to heal. I wrap my arms around myself, clinging to the warmth of the pink sweater she gave me as a parting gift. It's a reminder of our friendship, of the memories we shared, and of the uncertainty that lies ahead in this unfamiliar town. With a heavy sigh, I resume packing, shoving clothes and belongings into cardboard boxes with a sense of resignation. Moving back to Crestview wasn't my choice, but my parents seemed convinced that it was the right decision. They've always been the ones in control, pulling the strings behind the scenes of our family's business empire. I glance at the photo on my bedside table, a snapshot of Amy and me laughing together on a sunny day. It feels like a lifetime ago, before our worlds were upended by this sudden upheaval. I wonder if Amy misses me as much as I miss her, if she's adjusting to her new life without me by her side. Maxie's persistent meowing pulls me out of my thoughts, reminding me that there's still work to be done. With a resigned smile, I scoop him up into my arms, his purrs a comforting presence amidst the chaos of packing. As I zip up the final suitcase, I steel myself for the journey ahead. Crestview may be unfamiliar territory, but perhaps it holds the promise of new beginnings, unexpected friendships, and the chance to carve out my own path in a town dominated by two powerful families. Only time will tell what awaits me in this new chapter of my life. “Mia, dear! Are you good to go now?!” Mom called from downstairs. “I'm coming!” I replied, carrying Maxie with my left hand while trying to pull my personal suitcase with the other. “Quit moving or else you'll fall,” I muttered to my cat, adjusting my grip. “Where are your other luggages? Are these all you've got? You know it'll probably take us a year or two before we move back here again, right?” Dad asked as he met me halfway down the staircase. “I still have some left in my room. Got no room in my hand to carry them all at once,” I grimaced. He patted my head before passing me, likely to retrieve my things from my room. “Put Maxie in his cage before he gets in the car. I don't want him scratching up the seats again like last time. I just had them changed the other day,” Mom sighed, eyeing my cat. Maxie wasn't the best-behaved in the car; he left marks wherever he could. “Copy that. Oh, by the way, have you guys planned on enrolling me? Are you sure there are schools there that will accept me? I haven't even finished half of my semester here,” I voiced my concerns. Mom turned her gaze to me. “Of course. I've already arranged for your transfer paperwork at Crestview High.” I sighed at the mention of my new school. “This will be for the best, right, Mom?” Mom stopped what she was doing and pulled me into a hug. “Yes, baby. We'll only be there for a year or two. Your dad needs to handle some business there, and we can't leave him to do it alone,” she reassured, caressing my back. “Did I miss some family hugs down here?” Dad's voice echoed from upstairs as he carried my belongings. “Our baby is getting emotional, Love,” Mom smiled, pinching my cheeks. “Sweetie, you know this is for the best, right?” Dad walked over to us, setting aside the items he was carrying before pulling me into his arms. “I can't afford to leave you here while your mom and I are there.” “I… I will just miss this place, Dad,” I confessed, tears rolling down my cheeks. “I have friends here… and they're not just friends to me, they are—family…” “Shh… I know… I know… they can always pay you a visit there. I don't mind having our driver pick them up here and take them home again. Anything for you, baby,” he reassured, hushing me. “Aren't you two the cutest when you're like this, lovely? Let me join the family group hug!” Mom chirped, wrapping us both in her embrace. “Enough with the drama, let's keep moving. I don't want us to still be on the road when it gets dark,” Dad interjected. I wiped the tears from my cheeks and forced a smile. These people were the reason I was here. While I might miss this place, especially the people I've met here, moving to a new place with my parents wouldn't be so bad after all. Our ride on the way to Crestview was filled with laughter and chitchats. There's no dull moments when we are on a road trip. Even Maxie felt the vibrant atmosphere of the car because even him he's enjoying the view and refrain from scratching the seat, I allowed him not to be in his cage and just sit beside me. “We're almost there.”Mom announces while happily looking outside the window “At the place where we first met.”Dad half-whispered but I still could clearly hear it. “The place where love allows us to meet each other.” Mom looked at him lovingly and took Dad's free hands and interlock it with hers. “You'll surely love it here,Mia. Just like how we love this place.”Mom said “Let's see that,Mom.”I answered, adjusted to my seat and shifted my gaze outside. This place isn't that bad either. As the car winds its way through the rolling hills, Crestview town emerges on the horizon like a painting come to life. From the window, I catch glimpses of quaint storefronts and charming homes, their facades bathed in the warm glow of streetlights like jewels in the twilight. “A new beginning.”I whispered As we continue our journey through Crestview, I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation and excitement. This town holds the promise of new beginnings, unexpected adventures, and the chance to call it home. And as the car carries us deeper into its embrace, I can't help but wonder what wonders await us just around the corner.