Bad Habit

c h a p t e r 1: Fresh Start

I stared at my reflection for a minute before smiling, "You can do this, Ell. You can do this." I grabbed my bag and ran past the brown boxes laying around the hallway and made my way to the stairs.

"Mom," I called out, "I'm ready. Can I drive us there? I mean, if you need m-" My mother walks around the corner with her small black dress on carrying Chloe, my four year old sister. "Mom," I smiled, "You look beautiful." She smiled and walked towards the door, "Thanks," she started, "But I'm still driving."

My mother was pretty young compared to my other friends' mothers. She had me when she was in college, so she got out of school to take care of me. If someone saw their mother dressing like the way my mom was, they would most likely think, "Ew Mom, cover up." But I really understand her and my father's relationship. There is so much love, that they still do romantic gestures after being married for so many years. Overdressing is just something my mother is known for. Playing soccer as a kid, she would show up at the games looking like a model, while the other moms wore tank tops and baggy jeans. I have to admit, I loved the attention from other kids at school saying, "Ell, you're mom is literally so gorgeous and looks great!"

***

We're heading to the airport. Dad is coming home after another what seemed endless year (Mostly why mom dressed so well) and he's been overseas in Afghanistan once again. In my whole lifetime, I can remember him leaving maybe four to five times. Each time he would get the pleasure to come back and visit (he's pretty high in command so he had this advantage) after he's finished with a mission or needs to fly in to DC or somewhere like that. But now he's home, for good. But the problem is, I may be leaving.

***

We waited outside the doors as he approached us. "Daddy!" giggled Chloe, fairly loud, "Hey girly! You've gotten so big, I might not be able to pick you up anymore!" he jokes as he picks her up off her feet. He puts her down at the sight of my mother. "Claire," he started, almost without words, "Oh my God Claire," He walked fast towards her and cupped her face. He stared deep into her auburn eyes as did she. He kissed her gently and you could just feel the tension between them. "Collin, people are starting to stare," my mother whispered. "Oh don't worry, it's not the kiss they're staring at, it's how beautiful you look right now." He pecked her lips once again, smiling. He turned to me, "Hey kid, long time, no see!" he grinned towards me, exposing his aging smile. "Dad," I said as I hugged him, "I see you twice every week on Skype, you're starting to annoy me," I laughed and he joined in.

***
"Dad, Mom," I began. "I need to talk." We got home that night, after going out to Olive Garden for dinner. "Go ahead, shoot." "Well, Mom and I have been talking about it already, but I wanted to see if you were okay with this," I sighed before I spoke, thinking the answer would be no, "I want to move to Sydney. I want to live in a place where I can take in it's culture to inspire my arts. I want to learn the methods they use and I want to go to a college there too." My mom had already decided on saying yes, but we needed Dad to be in on it too. He removed his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes, probably from the long flight, putting them back on he says, "Alright. Since your grades are soaring off the charts, and you're passionate about arts, and you have shown you can take care of, not just yourself, but your sister as well, I'm going to say yes," I leaped out of my chair, "On one condition," I slouched back down, "We get to visit whenever we want."

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A/N: Ellicity's parents are so chill, it make me jealous okay.
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