The day my parents got divorced I felt like my whole world had collapsed.
The cardboard boxes were stacked in the hall, like monuments of my destroyed life. Each one held a piece of my old world. Now, the empty rooms echoed of slammed doors and parents' quarrels. As the movers carried them out the door, I knew this wasn't just a change of address, it was the start of a brand new chapter.
Soon came the morning of the first day at my new school. When I woke up, I didn't want to get out of my warm and comfortable bed. I would rather stay under the covers and keep dreaming that this wasn't actually happening. But I can't hide in my new home for the rest of my new life so I got dressed, took my backpack and rushed out to face my reality.
When I got to school I only saw this big and old building that had long hallways which echoed with loud conversations and laughter. The bell rang so I headed to my classroom and sat in the back row. The teacher was super kind, but my thoughts wandered, returning to everything I had lost. How many times I have ignored my parents and didn't listen to them. Now I would love to go back in time and tell them a hundred times how much I love them. After class I went to my locker and bumped into a group of boys and girls. At first they looked scary, but it turned out they were very nice. "Do you want to have lunch with us?", one of them asked. I hesitated for a moment. "Sure why not", I answered with a smile.
We went to a little Mexican restaurant and ordered our food. We talked cheerfully and one of them asked if I wanted to share my story. I said yes and told them what I was going through. Our food came and we ate in silence. But that silence was louder then words, because I felt like they cared and understood. We paid and went back to school. I was very happy so that, at least for a little while I kind of forgot what that really felt because of the parents' divorce.
On my way home I ran into a girl with long brown hair and brown eyes. She looked as if she was from an upper grade. Suddenly I noticed she was crying. I approached her slowly, thinking what I should do. I was maybe too shy to talk to her but I couldn't just ignore her and go my way. "What's happened?", the words just came out of my mouth. "I had a huge fight with my mum" she said, with tears running down her face. "And I don't know how to tell her I am sorry." Then, I told her to say "Mum, I am very sorry for the way I acted, and I don't want to fight with you anymore". Then the girl thanked me and before she went home she asked me if I wanted to be her friend. I was more than happy to agree and excitedly walked off.
When I got home I hugged my mum so, so tight and told her what a day I had. At first she smiled, but then she looked at me more seriously. "Do you like your new life?", her trembeling voice asked. I looked at her and whispered gently, "I do but...I... it would be better with dad".
That day I realized that the separation of my parents was truly a devastating event for me. It was one that had to take time to heal. On the other hand, it also forced me to grow and discover a strenght I never knew I possessed - I can help and accept help from others. I am not alone. Life has its beauty after all. And changes - changes can also leed to new beginnings.
And that was the day, the day that changed the way I look at myself and my life. It was the day I lost a part of my old life, but also the day I began to build a new one, a life filled with hope and promise of a brighter future.