My Name is What?

Summer Break

The day was finally here.

Today I'm flying to New York with my family for the beginning of my break. I graduated high school about two weeks ago and all I wanted was to finally come back to what I consider my second home. I am going to attend the University of Illinois to major in musical theatre at the beginning of August.

I fell in love with musical theatre when I was 13 and never forgot my first memory of a live performance of "Beauty and the Beast" at age seven. However, my passion for music in general started at an early age. At eleven, I joined my middle school orchestra and learned to play the violin and taught myself piano.

I know a few years isn't much, but I practice everyday and my teacher is so supportive of me. I was incredibly shy growing up, so it was hard for me to make friends.

My family? They don't really support me all that much, let alone care about me. I live with my parents Tom and Meredith, as an only child. I've had to grow and deal with it. They have only brought me here so they can say their final goodbyes on a "happy note" and then I'm on my own. I have my father's piercing green eyes and my mother's long and thick golden brown curly hair. I've reached the height to tower over my mother but my father is still taller than me.

I put my ear buds in and lean my head against the cool window of the plane, relaxing and listening to the 25th Anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera.

Have I mentioned I'm obsessed with that musical? It's practically unhealthy with how much I love it. Anytime we are in New York, I drag my parents to take me to see it.

I don't know what it is about it that it makes me feel so strongly towards it. It's a bit tragic honestly. Christine had to go through so much at somewhat of a young age and the Phantom only wanted to be loved back by the woman he fell for. I'm team Phantom, and cry every time they reach the rooftop scene for "All I Ask Of You". It breaks my heart to see the Phantom so upset, making sympathise with him more.

Both of us share a passion for music and wanting someone to love us. I could care less about Raoul. I believe Christine wanted to be with the Phantom and even after reading the book by Gaston Leroux that it's based off of, my opinion stays the same. If I was in her position, I don't know what I would do.

**********

2 and a half hours later

Finally we land at the airport. The turbulence of the land wakes me with a start and I accidentally hit my father with my hand.

"Seriously Delilah couldn't you be more careful!?" He yells. I cringe at the fear he might hit me and hear him snort obnoxiously instead.

"Sorry dad I didn't mean to. I just woke up from the bump and my arms kind of just went everywhere,"I answer.

"Yeah well next time be careful or I won't hesitate to hit you back," He retorts.

My dad doesn't hit me if that's what you think, but he does believe that a smack to the head or a yank of my hair teaches discipline the "proper" way when needed. I might be 18 but I feel like a 10 year old constantly being scolded by my parents about every little thing I do.

We get off the plane and head down to baggage claim following the hundreds of people in front of us. I honestly don't know what I did to my parents and why they don't like me so much. They say it was because they never intended to have children. My mom was 17 when they got married and in 1987 that was young. My dad was 19 and he said he never wanted kids. Ten years later they managed to still be together and "accidentally" had me. I never understood what they meant by "accident" when there are plenty of ways not to have children.

That's where music comes in, always taking me to another world. The beauty of sound that can change your emotions as fast as light can travel. Musical theater is a getaway for me. The thought of music used to express emotions and events amazes me. That's why I love Phantom so much.

I'm quickly snapped out of my thoughts as my mother yanks my head phones out of my ear.

"Open your eyes and look for your luggage. I want to get out of here so we can head to the hotel already. You look like a train wreck, I don't someone to see me with you," she states with a harsh tone.

I look down at my small frame covered in grey baggy sweats, black converse and my Wicked t-shirt.

"I'm sorry, but I learned my sloppiness from the best," I reply sarcastically.

She glares back me and points at my face with perfectly manicured nails.

"Keep that smart mouth of yours shut or I will make you stay in that hotel room this entire week," she says. I grunt in reply and look for my luggage on the conveyor belt. I spot it a minute later on its side and quickly run to grab it.

I head back over to my parents and tell them I have it. My dad tells me he already called a car and it's waiting for us so we head outside to the terminal to be picked up.

I take in the beautiful clear blue sky and look at my phone to check the time. It's three pm exactly and I smile knowing I have an entire week to enjoy the industrial beauty of what is New York City.