Eight Months Previous

"Come on, hun! We've still got a lot to get inside!" my father calls from downstairs. The excitement in his voice is practically tangible as his words carry up to my room.

"Alright, Dad! I know! I'll be down in a sec!" I reply, letting out a small, tired, sigh as I set down the fifth box of my various belongings that I've brought up to my new room. A small smile works its way across my lips as I look at the open space before me. The room's plain walls and lack of character is going to be short lived and I'll make sure of that.

"Oh, do I have plans for you," I say to my new bedroom. Purple. And white and black. Those three colors will be everywhere. A mirage of my future, finished living space swirls in my mind and my imagination takes over. I—

"Jules? You coming back down to Earth anytime soon?" I hear my dad call, again. He chuckles as he waits for my response, but, instead, I decide to meet him halfway and hurry to the top of the stairs.

"Sorry! What is it you need?"

"Could you please help your mother? She's being… well, she's being Mom. Do you mind?" A sheepish smile accompanied with an innocent shrug.

"Always gotta make me do the dirty work, huh?" I joke with a playful smile, quickly making my way down the stairs and towards the front door. Mom being Mom is my cue to step up my game. I jog down to the driveway and over to my mother who is frantically trying to direct the movers.

'Oh- Oh! Please, be careful with that! You might scratch the—Wait! No, don't slide that on the ground! You'll—AH!" Her panic is sent to a whole new level when an unpleasant crash of glass can be heard from inside the house.

"Julie, stay here, will you…!?" My mom demands more than asks. "Rob?! What happened?! What broke?!" she questions relentlessly as she rushes inside. Gosh, I love her, but sometimes she's just too much... I shrug 'Why not' and turn to the movers with a more pleasant expression.

"Hey, guys, if you could just get everything out? Then we'll focus on getting it in the house later. Sound good?" I smile. The movers all nod and agree with my instructions, seeming pleased at the simple task.

Several hours later, my new room is almost finished except for several items that depend. Paint, posters, and stars are all that remain. A bit tired from a long day of going in and out of our new home, a comfortable fresh bed seems extremely irresistible. On my way over, I grab a box of unopened glow in the dark stars from my desk then pounce onto the springy mattress that is now dressed in my bed sheets from the old house. I lean back against my mountain of pillows and stare up at a plain ceiling. The now setting sun pours orange light through my window and I can't help but wonder how my new life will be. Sure, I had to leave some friends behind, but… I'll still talk to them. …I hope… I shake my head. Don't think like that. Negativity is a no-go. At least… that's what my parents say. Time to—Time to… uh… What time is it, anyway? I turn my head to the nightstand next to my bedframe and glance at the clock. Quarter to eight… The Chinese Take-Out for dinner begins stirring in my stomach. Boy, I'm full… I look back at the unopened package of stars in my hand. '400 Glow-In-The-Dark Stars!' the packaging says.

"Wow… Now that'll be a project…" I smile, thinking about it. Making something my own- making it unique… That always makes me happy. Who the boring darkness when you can have 400 stars shining dimly to keep you company? Not too bright to keep me up but just enough to give my room a special feeling.

"Feeling nostalgic?" a voice comes from my doorway. I look to see my mother smiling softly at me. She walks over to my bed and sits on the edge, looking at my stars. It's true. I am feeling nostalgic. Truth be told, my old room had the stars. I just couldn't bear to part with them. To answer my mother, I smile and nod.

"Don't worry, sweetie…" she kisses my forehead after brushing away my bangs. "Life here will seem normal in no time. Why, you're dad still works the same hours doing what he did before! And with the way you are, I know you'll make some great new friends here, too… Just wait… You'll see," my mother comforts.

"Thanks, mom… I-I know… I'm actually sort of excited… I mean, yeah, I miss everyone, but… with college in two years… wasn't this going to happen anyway?" I say, trying to make light of the situation. "Besides. I'll still keep in touch." My mother smiles and lightly runs her fingers through my hair before standing up and leaving- her silent way of saying I'm growing up way to fast. I grin and shake my head before calling out a 'goodnight!'

"Night, hun! Don't stay up too late!" My dad replies. He smiles as he walks by my door towards his and my mom's room.

Unable to stop the oncoming yawn, I add a good stretch before sitting up and rolling off the bed to get dressed for the night. It may be early, but… It's been a long day. I toss the stars on my dresser and pull down the blinds on my windows before digging through my suitcase of clothes for a tank top and some shorts. When I finally lay down again, I can feel a wave of exhaustion wash over me. I curl up and sink into the soft familiar scent of my pillows and bedding.

"Mmm… Sweet dreams…"