My Story Draft by Chloe Koper

The Big News!

koperchloe — 2024-01-16 20:53:50 UTC

During the summer of 2019, my parents told me the news that we were moving from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to a whole different state 400 miles away from my friends and family due to my mom getting a new job. That new state, or my new forever home, would be in North Carolina.

Emotions

koperchloe — 2024-01-16 20:59:05 UTC

The moment I realized I wouldn't be going into high school with my best friends, I felt numb inside. As an 8th grader at the time, I didn't know what would happen. Would I be able to make new friends, or would I shelter from everyone? That was the question that always replayed in my head.

Packing up

koperchloe — 2024-01-16 21:06:42 UTC

Walking through my empty childhood home seeing everything packed away in boxes really made a mark on my heart. The only thing I could do in that moment was remember all the funny and exciting memories made in that home.

Saying goodbye

koperchloe — 2024-01-16 21:16:47 UTC

This was definitely one of the most emotional days of my life. I hugged my best friend for the last time that day. I said goodbye to all my neighborhood friends, the one's I used to play tag with around the block. For one final moment, I looked around and all I could do was cry. To me, this felt like a terrible ending to a book, but for my parents, it felt like a whole new chapter. I took a step in the car, closed the door, and said goodbye forever.

The new forever home.

koperchloe — 2024-01-16 21:19:59 UTC

Pulling up to our new house in North Carolina was something lifechanging. That was the first time I ever laid eyes on the house. It was very beautiful, newly built, and more modern that our last home, which was 100 years old.

The unpacking process

koperchloe — 2024-01-16 21:24:23 UTC

As I was unpacking my new room, I noticed one thing. I was a little excited about decorating. I could do whatever I wanted with the items I had.

The first day of school!

koperchloe — 2024-01-16 21:28:43 UTC

Waking up that morning, I felt a pit in my stomach. I knew I wasn't prepared for meeting new people and making new friends, but time had come to do so. Walking into the school was the most stressful and terrifying thing ever. It was a huge high school, and I was just a little freshman girl not knowing where she was to go with no one by her side. I eventually walked to my classes but did not say a word in all of them. Nothing would come out of my mouth. Everyone already knew each other and had their friend groups. I didn't believe anyone would want me as their friend.

Soccer

koperchloe — 2024-01-16 21:33:22 UTC

During my freshman year, I played varsity soccer for the women's high school team. Joining a team really helped me make friends and come out of my shell, but I slowly learned that soccer maybe just wasn't the right sport for me anymore. Maybe there was another sports team that could really have an impact on me and my life.

Joining cross country and Track and Field!

koperchloe — 2024-01-16 21:44:49 UTC

This was definitely the best decision I ever made. I first joined cross country my sophomore year of high school. At first, I obviously didn't know a single person on the team, but soon enough, I knew every detail about every person. That is where I met the most amazing people and met my best friends. In those moments of my first every day at practice, I knew that this is where I was meant to be. I just knew that running with great people, soon to be best friend's, would make me forget about all the negativity I felt as a freshman.

Senior year emotions

koperchloe — 2024-01-16 21:49:07 UTC

With cross country and track officially over, it was time to graduate high school. Never in a million years would I have thought I would be happy where I was. I never believed I would make new friends, but I did. I never thought there would be a smile on my face again, but there was. Moving was never an easy process for me or my parents. My mom struggled with the thought of thinking she did the wrong thing for us, but she was wrong. I made my best friends where I was. I joined sports I never would have joined back in Pennsylvania. This was my home, and I loved it.

After graduation

koperchloe — 2024-01-16 21:56:17 UTC

Ever since I graduated high school, I have become such a stronger person. From not having anyone to go to or talk to, to having best friends by my side, made me become the person I am today. I am more outgoing and more myself than I was this time 4 years ago. If freshman me saw where she was today, she would have been so shocked and relieved that everything worked out. At the end of this chapter, there is not just one happy ending, but multiple happy endings that will stay with me forever.