"Flora, can you believe we're going to be on a plane to the most amazing school in the country in just 24 hours!? We'll get to see each other for a whole year! EEEE! I just can't wait!"

I looked up from my suitcase and at my phone. I chuckled as I saw my best friend, Roxy fall onto her bed. We've been friends for ages. We used to live in the same city, but then she moved. Long-distance friendships are hard to manage, but we made it and now we're going to the same boarding school.

"Yeah it's going to be great," I said while smiling at her through the screen.

I watched as she shoved 5 uniforms into her bag as well as some leotards and a ball. "Don't forget to leave room for your underwear and socks," I playfully told her. Roxy rolled her eyes and grabbed some socks and underwear.

"Can you believe that they even have a rhythmic gymnastics team? I mean how many schools do you know that have a rhythmic gymnastics team? This is going to be so great!" she was very excited.

I grabbed my pastel pink backpack and started grabbing stuff to put in it. "Yeah, they even have a state of the art greenhouse. Do you think the headmasters will let me live in there?" I heard a giggle on the other end of the phone. I zipped up my bags and put them at my door. I yawned.

"I'm going to go to bed. You should too. We have to energy for tomorrow." I told her.

"ok, mom." I rolled my eyes and hung up. I yawned again. "Whoo wee, I am pooped." I changed clothes and climbed under my warm blankets. Originally I wanted to savor my last night at home, but the minute my head hit the pillow, I passed out.

"Flora, sweetie wake up." I opened my eyes to see my sister, my mom, and my dad in my room. My sister was holding a plate of bacon, eggs, and pancakes.

"Good morning. What's all this for?" I asked.

My sister, Miele, smiled."It's for you, silly goose. You're leaving for school today remember? I just wanted to say goodbye by giving you breakfast." I was overjoyed at what my family did for me. "Oh goodness, Thank you. I love you all so so much." I felt tears start to well up in my eyes. "Now, could you all please leave so I can get dressed and eat?" they obliged and left my room. I grabbed some clothes and walked into my bathroom.

I put on some music and took a quick, hot shower. I changed into my airplane clothes, which were sweats and a t-shirt. I quickly brushed through my hair and let it air dry in a ponytail. Then, I walked out of the bathroom and took one last look at my room. This is the last time I'll be here for a whole year! I grabbed my bags and put them at the front door and grabbed my breakfast to start eating it. My parents were in the living room watching tv while Miele played with her toys on the floor.

I sat on the couch next to my parents, trying to savor the moment. I'll be gone for a year. This is the first time I'll be gone that long. We sat in comfortable silence while I ate my breakfast and watched tv. As soon as finished eating, I went to the kitchen and washed the plate.

Then, it was time to go. I grabbed my bags and walked to the car. My family climbed into the car as well and we rode to the airport. My excitement built as we got closer, but so did my nerves.

My dad parked the car and we walked in. I made it to my gate and I hugged them goodbye.

"I love you my sweet flora," my mom said while she squeezed me. "Be safe flora," my dad said as the side hugged me. I felt a tap on my hip and looked down at my sister. I squatted to her level and squeezed her. I looked in her face and saw her eyes were wet. "Hey hey. It's ok. I won't be gone forever and we can still facetime or call each other every day. You'll be alright," I wiped her tears from her eyes and kissed her on the cheek.

"PLANE 12 IS NOW BOARDING." I stood up and picked up my bags again. "Guess it's time for me to go. I call you guys every day. Goodbye, I love you." They said goodbye again and I started to walk up to the gate.

They called my group to board and onto the plane I went. Tomorrow is the first day of school. EEEE! I'm excited. The plane took off for the 4-hour trip before it landed and I had to switch planes. I grabbed my headphones and my a book from my backpack.

"We will be landing in 15 minutes, so please prepare yourselves," a flight attendant said to the travelers. I took my headphones off and them, with my book, back into my backpack. I watched the plane descend slowly onto the landing. I filed out of the plane behind a family of three and into the unfamiliar airport. "I wonder if they have a salad bar here?" I said to myself.

"They do, but I think I saw it that salad place that way." I heard a familiar voice say. I turned around to see the sunset-colored hair of my best friend. She giggled and I dropped my bags and squeezed her into a hug. She squeezed back just as hard.

"How are you here?! You told me your plane would take you to the city where the academy is." She giggled," My dad let me get a plane that corresponded with your plane. We get to be on the same plane for the remainder of the trip!" I smiled and hugged her again, but not as hard. She hasn't changed a bit from when I last saw her. She wore a tie-dyed shirt, ripped jeans, and her dirty pink hightops. Some old Roxy.

"Well, we've got about an hour and a half before the plane departs. Do you want to go get food?" Roxy nodded and we went to go find something to eat.

We found the salad place Roxy saw and stepped into the line. A sweet-looking girl with brown hair greeted us with a smile.

"Hello and welcome to Sally's Salads. May I get your order?" We returned her smile and took turns ordering. We moved to the pickup area and waited for our salads.

Roxy was on her hone and I was watching the strangers that passed. A particular group of people caught my eye. They all look to be around Roxy and I's age. One half was dressed in sweats and other athletic wear. They looked like they were dancers. The other half was dressed in casual clothes, like teeshirts and jeans. They all carried suitcases and an extra bag.

"Here are your salads ladies. Thank you for ordering." We smiled at the girl and walked away. As we went to the seating area of the airport, we had to walk past the group of teens. I locked eyes with a boy who had dark blue mysterious eyes. His hair was a mixture of blu and black and the style went perfectly with his jaw. He smirked at me as I continued to walk with Roxy.

I ate my salad and watch the mysterious boy. After a while, apparently, Roxy noticed and tapped me.

"A little in love, are we," she said. We giggled together and finished our salads.

"PLANE 9 WILL BE BOARDING IN 15 MINUTES"

We quickly threw away our trash and walked to the gate. I noticed the teens we saw weren't there. They must have left for their plane. A tinge of sadness ate at me as I realized I would likely never see the boy again. I guess it's for the best. Love at first sight never works anyway. We boarded the plane and settled into our seats. Roxy laid on my shoulder as I clicked on a movie for us both to watch.

About an hour into the movie, I heard soft snores and looked over to her fast asleep. I clicked off the movie and decided to get some sleep. I'll be at the best school in the country by the end of the day with my best friend. What more could a girl want.

Soon, like Roxy, I too drifted off into sleep.

Thank you for reading!