The World Would Be a Better Place If...

Prologue...

It all started once I'd moved all the way from California to cold Minnesota with my dad. It was in the middle of the school year too, which made almost everything a lot worse.

The world would be a better place if... I'd written in my journal on the second week of school. But I'll get to my journal-writing later. Now's the time to talk about the move.

Littleton, California was where I'd lived my whole life. There was great people, schools, parks. Everything was great. Well, actually, more than great. It was perfect.

Until I had to move in with my uncle.

***

"Jade? Where are you? The moving van's here and I don't have all day." my dad shouted. Some of the good neighbors on our street were kind enough to help load our boxes into the moving van, while I was at my best friend Marilee's house to say goodbye.

"Don't worry; we'll text and Skype every day." Marilee assured me. But I still couldn't get that assuring feeling into me.

"I know, but it won't be the same." I said, sitting down on the soft couch in Marilee's living room.

"Anyone want some cookies?" Marilee's mom strolled into the living room, holding a fresh batch of double-chocolate cookies in her arms.

Marilee's family was probably the friendliest family in all of Littleton, California. They always made sure everyone was okay.

"No, but thanks, Mrs. Fresco." I replied. "I gotta go, anyway." I put my cell phone in my back pocket and gave my best friend a hug.

"I can't believe you're leaving me, Jade," Marilee began, but there wasn't a hint of sadness on her face nor in her voice. I could tell she was holding back her emotions.

"I know—and right in the middle of the school year too!" I cried. I hugged Marilee and sighed. Afterwards Mrs. Fresco gave me a cookie anyway and I scarfed it down as I swiftly walked out the door and down the street to my house.

Once I'd arrived at my house, Dad didn't look too happy with me. "Where were you?" he huffed as he put a small box in the back of the moving van. "You were supposed to be back here ten minutes ago!"

"I'm sorry—I'm not the one who planned this stupid move." I retorted as I took my duffel bag with all of my personal belongings in it and climbed into Dad's black pickup truck.

"I'm your father, and I decide what we do and don't do." Dad climbed into the driver's side of the truck and started the engine.

One of the moving men walked up to Dad's window and asked him for the directions to get to our new house. Dad handed him a sheet of paper which had a map on it and the address of our new house.

"Alright, let's go!" the moving man shouted to his fellow workers as they all piled into the moving van and its engine started as well.

***