Why does the author see the future in a negative light in the opening of the memoir, A First Time For Everything?

As the memoir opens, Santat lives in Camarillo, CA. Everything he knows happens in this town because he and his parents cannot travel much due to his mom having lupus. As the memoir opens, Santat sees no need to leave Camarillo, and yet he has very little hope that his life will get better now that he is graduating from junior high.