i almost die when i turn on the light. even though it's basically empty, i still get excited. he got the bed i've always wanted. "yes, yes, yes, yes!" i dance around my new room. "what's so exciting about a room?" my dad comes in. i run and hug him.

"someone's been stalking my pinterest account." i say. i had a board with a whole bunch of pins of what i wanted my room to look like. "i didn't want to decorate the place for you but i thought you'd like the bed frame. believe it or not, your mom helped." i let go. "i love it, thank you dad. you did good." i don't even know if i can sleep right now, i'm so happy. "you're welcome bear. now before you try to put your whole room together, go to sleep, we have a big day ahead of us."

❀❀❀

i woke up confused around seven thirty and my first thought was why the fuck am i up so early?

i get up and i see my boxes by the front door. i look at the window and i sigh. "if only the sun was shining." i say to myself then get up. i make my bed.

i walk out into the hallway and i tip toe towards the stairs. i look downstairs but it was empty and quiet. duh, who else gets up this early? i sneak back to my room and i try to close my door silently.

i decided to work on decorating my room until they got up.

❀

an hour later i finished decorating my room and i got in the shower. i stood there looking in the mirror holding my towel. i could use a makeover. i just might have to go to a salon out here. i walk out of the bathroom and walk out in the hallway.

i look down and i see them sitting at the dining table. "finally you guys are awake." i stay upstairs considering i was still in a towel. "good morning to you too." noah looks up. "dad what are we doing today?" i ignore him. "it's a surprise."

"i need to know what we're doing so i know what to wear!" i shake my head. men. "you sound just like your mother," he laughs. "wear something... comfortable i guess." i nod and go back to my room. something comfortable could mean anything. i find a quick outfit and i go downstairs to join the boys.

"why am i the only one that's up and ready?" i throw my hands up. "uh we are up." my dad says. "yeah." noah adds in. "i- ugh," i face palm myself. "why couldn't you guys have another baby, a girl perhaps."

"because we didn't want to." dad smiled. i stand there trying to think of something to say but then i just give up. "so what time are we leaving?" i look around at this somewhat empty house. "in ten minutes."

"what? ten minutes? dad!" noah panics and runs upstairs while my dad and i laugh. "i miss you." i hug him.

maybe this divorce happened for a reason. it sucks but maybe i can find the good in this. extra time with my dad... with noah tagging along. "what do you mean? i'm here." he asks, still hugging me. "but you won't be." i close my eyes. he hugs me tighter. "but you're with me now." i can hear the confusion in his voice. i take a deep breath. "tomorrow i won't be." now i'm all sad.

dad doesn't say anything and it's because he feels the same. we won't be seeing each other everyday and that breaks my heart. he's already been gone for so long... i just got him back.

"well let's make the best of today. i have something planned that you'll absolutely love. noah, not so much." i smile trying to get happy again. "well go get dressed, i have high expectations now."

❀❀❀

"i know how you like to explore and stuff so..." i look around and see a sign that says oh my god. "dad i love you so so so much." i already have my hand on the door handle. "we're at a forest." noah says in the dullest voice ever. "noah it's a forest!" i squeal. "yeah a forest. with trees, dirt and creatures." noah is obviously unimpressed. "stop being a diva." i say when my dad parks. i get out immediately and i look around.

huge trees, birds chirping, the sound of stream water and the smell of nature. i am in my element. i take one step and my dad grabs my arm. "hold on there kid. here's some flags, we don't need you getting lost," he hands me bright yellow colored flags. "there might not be any service out here so if you need help, blow this horn. also we will meet back in an hour and a half, that's eleven so meet us back right here at that time."

"yes sir." i grab the blow horn from him. i go back to the car and put the horn in my backpack. i'm so glad i brought it. "go have fun while i deal with this diva." we laugh. noah mimics us. "see ya!" i skip off into the forest. i'm about to have the time of my life.