"What?!" I exclaimed as Dad just gave me the most shocking news ever. "But I love it here! It's my home."

Dad looked at Mom and the both sighed. "Maybelle, sweetie," Mom said. "Your dad found the perfect job for him in New York. The pay is great and so will be New York."

"But here is great too!" I objected. "I've lived here all my life! Literally! I was born in the barn!"

"Come on, Maybelle," my nineteen year old brother, Trent, said. "It won't be that bad!"

"Not that bad?" I asked. "All my friends are here! And Bobby!"

Bobby was my boyfriend and honestly, I wasn't going to miss him at all. He was sweet at first when I started dating him, but then...

I shook my head to get in rid of the pain of the past. As much as I wanted to leave Bobby, I wanted to stay here.

"Is there anythin' I could do to change your mind?" I asked. "I'll do anything! I'll milk Missy for the whole week and you know how much I hate milkin' that stubborn cow!"

Mom sighed and shook her head. "It's final. We're movin' next Monday to New York. Now start packin'." She left without another word, followed by Dad.

I groaned and stormed up the stairs to my room. Being the overly—dramatic teenage girl I am, I slammed the door shut and flopped on my bed.

I turned on my side and looked at the picture sitting on my nightstand. It was of me and my best friend, Tillie. We've been friends ever since we were three. How on earth will I be able to leave her?

As much as I didn't want to break the bad news, I picked up the phone resting beside the picture and dialed Tillie's number. My fingers hovered over the 'talk' button for a few seconds before I pressed it. I held the phone up to my ear, my heart beating faster at each ring. Finally, Tillie picked up. "Hey, gal!" she said enthusiastically into the speaker. "We still up for shoppin' next Wednesday? My dad said its the only time for a couple of weeks that he could take us into the city."

"Um, change of plans," I said, trying to hold back my tears.

"Why?" Tillie asked. "Don't tell me you're gonna be hangin' with Bobby instead."

"No," I said. "I just got some awful news. I'm gonna be in New York on Monday."

"New York?!" Tillie repeated. "How is that awful?! I've been dyin' to go there!"

I sighed. It's always hard to tell your best friend that you're moving. "No, Tillie. I won't be comin' back. I'm movin' there."

It went completely silent for a while before Tillie said something. "Moving? To New York?"

"Yeah."

"Oh," Tillie said. "Well... I'll call you later. Bye." She didn't wait for me to say goodbye before she hung up.

I flopped back down on my bed and covered my face with my hands. Why did I have to move? Why did I have to leave my home? This place was my life. My everything.

--

"Maybelle!" Mom called from downstairs. "We're leavin' in an hour. You're stuff better be packed by then!"

Naturally, I waited until the last minute to start packing, even though Mom gave me the news three days ago. Who tells their children they're moving three days before they move?!

"I know," I muttered. All my clothes were pulled out of my dresser and laying on the floor. While I sorted out between tops, bottoms, etc..., I had the news channel on my TV. Apparently, my aunt and uncle were going to be moving in our house to take care of the animals. All I had to pack was my belongings. Funiture and bedding were all staying.

"The latest celebrity meltdown just happened a few hours ago," the news reporter said. "Days ago, in New York city, sixteen year old Austin Bolton lost it while recording his new song. And just a few hours ago, he was spotted yelling at some paparazzi. It was later revealed that he is now going to be attending Earl Grayson High in the Big Apple. Nobody knows why he's going to attend a public school. Some say he's being punished for his attitude. Others say he wants to retire from the music business. More to come."

I scoffed and turned off the TV. I hated the way some celebrities acting like they were the best. Okay, yes, I did like a few of Austin's songs and he wasn't a bad actor as well, but still. He was just a selfish brat.

I didn't take me long to pack; I didn't have that many things. When I was done, I called Trent to help me bring my boxes downstairs.

When I set the last of my boxes downstairs, I sat on the couch. Mom was busy putting label on the boxes, but one question bother me.

"Momma," I said. "What school will I be goin' to there?"

Mom sighed and shook her head. "I can't remember. Uh, Scott?!" Dad walked into the living room, carrying a few boxes at a time. "What school is Maybelle goin' to?"

"I believe its called Earl Grayson," Dad replied, setting the boxes down.

My eyes widened. "Earl Grayson? Is there any way I could he homeschooled?"

"Why?" Trent asked as he sat down beside me on the couch. "You haven't even seen it yet."

"Easy for you to say," I said. "You grauduated last year. You won't be goin' to school!" I turned to my parents. "Can I please not go to Earl Grayson?"

Mom and Dad both rolled their eyes as they started bringing boxes outside to our van. I had a feeling that our move to New York would definetely change my life.