Don't Let Me Go ~ N.H.

“My job transferred me to Mullingar, Ireland.”

My heart sunk as those seven words reverberated in my head. See, my dad works for a company with branches all over the world, including Ireland and the UK.

“But…that’s so…FAR!” I argued.

“I know, Carlie, but it’s just something I have to do. You’ll love Ireland. I hear it’s beautiful, and we’ve been planning a vacation there anyways.”

I sighed. “That’s true. When do we leave?”

“Next week. That’ll give you time to say goodbye to your friends.”

~~~~~

A week later, my parents and I flew to Dublin. We’d found a nice house in a nice neighborhood in Mullingar, but it wouldn’t be the same as Lindale, Georgia. I’ve lived in Georgia all my life.

Upon arriving in Dublin, which was a 10-hour flight, we retrieved our bags from baggage claim and went to our new house.

The house was beautiful, with yellow siding and blue trim and shutters. But man, it was COLD! There must’ve been three feet of snow on the ground. The weather was nothing like this in Georgia; it was nice and warm.

In the next yard, a girl about my age was shoveling snow. Blonde hair stuck out from her light blue beanie, and she wore a matching ski jacket.

“Why don’t you go over and introduce yourself?” Daddy suggested.

I sighed. “Fine, but I’m not ready to make new friends yet.”

I walked over to the next yard and waited until the girl saw me to start talking. “Hi, I’m Carlie,” I said.

“I’m Sam. Nice to meet you,” the girl said, shaking my hand. “Where did you just move in from?”

“Lindale, Georgia.”

“Ah, that explains your accent. Wanna help me shovel snow?”

“What, are you kidding me? Hell no!”

Sam giggled. “Relax, I was just kidding. So, what school are you going to? I go to Colaiste Mhuire. It’s a Christian school.”

“Then I guess I’m going to the same school as you. What’s the uniform look like? I take it you have to wear a uniform.”

“Yeah, girls have to wear a white blouse and a gray skirt, and guys have to wear a gray pantsuit.”

“Ugh, great. I’m gonna look like Britney Spears.”

“Hey, just be glad you don’t have to wear pigtails in big white bows!”

~~~~~

The following Monday was my first day of school at Colaiste Mhuire. Sam offered to drive me, since I didn’t have a car yet.

When we pulled up to the school, Sam and I got out and went inside. Waiting at the door was a guy with tanned skin and black hair. “Hey, Zayn!” Sam greeted him.

“Hey, beautiful. Who’s this?” he asked.

“This is my new friend Carlie. She just moved in from Lindale, Georgia. Carlie, this is my boyfriend Zayn.”

“Hi,” I said.

“Hello, love,” Zayn said. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

Sam and I went to the principal’s office to get my schedule. She introduced me to the man behind the desk. He was about mid-fifties with balding brown hair. “Mr. Webb, this is Carlie. She’s new here,” Sam introduced.

“Ah, Carlie Jennings. We’ve been expecting you,” Mr. Webb said. He fished around for my schedule and finally handed me a slip of paper. “Here’s your schedule, Miss Jennings. Have a wonderful day!”

‘Thanks,” I said.

Notes