I turn away from the red brick house I grew up in, clutching my suitcase in hand.

My parents watch me walk off from the porch.

Sure, I love them both, I love my childhood home, and I’ll miss it all, but that’s not what I’m going to hate leaving the most.

Rocky stood on the porch beside my parents, wagging his tail obliviously as he watches me walk off. He probably thinks I’m going to the store.

I grew up with Rocky, we’ve had him since I was twelve years old. Now I’m seventeen, almost eighteen, and going off to college. Leaving for a month.

I reassure my parents I’ll be back home soon, I’ll come visit in a little while, once I’m settled in on campus. My mom looks at me then up at my dad, this is the first and only time they’ll ever have to wave their child goodbye, as they pack up their things and leave to college.

I’m an only child, which I think makes this harder on them. My dad looks down at Rocky, and gives him a pet on the head. Rocky doesn’t understand that I can’t see him in a long time. Rocky doesn’t understand that I can’t be hanging out with him everyday. He doesn’t understand that I’m not going to be back for a while, or that I’ll miss him everyday, but in his heart, I know he’ll miss me too.

I load up the car and put the key in the ignition, stifling tears. I should have gone to college in state. I take a deep breath and start the car. The engine mocks me as it starts up, this is supposed to be an exciting journey in my life, but now I’m just feeling sick in my stomach.

I pull out of the driveway and on to the open road, my house becomes a blur in the distance. I wipe off a tear and look ahead. That’s all it will be now, looking ahead, to the future. I’ll always miss my past, but it’s time to start a new chapter of my life. And, it’s only one month until I come home. Then I’ll stay for the weekend and have to go back again. But I’ll be back soon. September will go by in a flash.