I was an only child.

I could only remember the times that my family could have happiness. The things that my mom could only afford and yet, I still accept them. I was very different from the rest of only children. Unlike then, I wasn't a brat. I was caring and grateful.

Everyone would think that families with only one child could bring them a bad curse. No wonder why my neighbors had more than three kids. And that's where the bullying comes in. Every day, kids would make fun of me and get jealous or even say things like, "You are better if you were a spoiled brat."

That's where I realized that I wished I was never like this. I want to change. I wanna go away without the bullying and the gossiping from the neighbors. Then, one day, my mother had something to say to me. She said that we're moving to France for a better life. She was recently been offered to work in France and agreed without hesitation.

Although this is great for me, it would be also sad because I had the only friend who trusted me. Her name is Setsuka.

She moved to China from Japan lately and we became best friends. Now, that we're moving, I don't wanna risk losing the only friend I know. I had no choice but to let go of everything here. But on the bright side, there would be no gossips, no bullying, not to mention that they have a city of love.

So, during lunch break at school, I went to the usual table that I sit with Setsuka.

"You look down today. Is there something you can tell me?" she asked, with a worried expression on her face.

"I can but can you keep it as a secret?" I pleaded.

"Cross my heart." She made a motion by making a cross sign with her fingers on the heart.

"Okay, so have you seen the boxes outside our house?"

"Yeah, and?"

"Well... we're moving to France."

This left Setsuka gaped her mouth opened. And it made me worried about her next reaction.

"Look, I know it seems big, but..."

"Don't worry. You need to get out of your peephole. Think of what you would meet, new friends!" said Setsuka with her arms wide open.

I took a bite of my salad and chewed slowly. "So, what if my expectations were a disaster?"

"You haven't even moved out yet, Mari! It can take time to get used to this "moving" thing," she said.

I can feel that. When she moved to China, she felt uneasiness and nervous too. But, when she first met me, she gained more friends than ever. But, I never went out of my home for 14 years. Even though the environment was dark, I played with lots of friends since childhood.

"Okay, that can help me for now," I said, with a smile.

"I'm sure you'll enjoy a new place as I enjoyed here," she smiled too. We hugged each other as best friends should.

Then, the bell rang.

2 Weeks Later

My mom packed the last batch of things into the truck. "And that's the last one!"

Today it was moving day. Setsuka was waiting for me outside. Our boxes were already inside the moving truck and we're about to go.

"Remember to send me texts, alright?"

I laughed. "Don't worry. I'm always online 24/7."

She laughed too. "As if!"

Then, we hugged for the last time and I climbed into the car. Setsuka waved at me and waved back too. We said our goodbyes, hoping to see each other again.

As I looked into the window, I thought about all the things that Setsuka said. I remembered those and I was ready for a new life.

Marinette Cheng. Formerly from China, now to France.