Bewildered (Finn Harries)

Chapter One

“And that’s the last one” I said to myself before zipping the suitcase up. “Gemma! Dinner’s ready!” my mum screamed from the dining table. I looked at my packed suitcase once more in satisfaction before leaving my bedroom for dinner.

“Ahh, here comes my star!” outburst my dad as I sat at the table. I gave him a polite yet loving smile and my younger brother Luke scowled at me. “Don’t worry Lukey-Wukey, I’m gone after today then you can have mum and dad all to yourself.” My mum glared at me funnily from the corner of her eye; I giggled as I got served a chicken breast. Luke avoided any eye contact and turned down to his plate.

“I can’t believe our little princess is going to university already!” my mum sobbed as she stroked my loose hair. “Mum!” I exclaimed. “I have grown up you know?” “I know but…” “She’ll be fine” my dad interrupted and gave me a wink. I just laughed. “Now how about you leave all of this and we have my final dinner for a while, together?” I took the bowl of roasted potatoes out of my mums hand and gently sat her in the chair next to me.

We normally have a conversation about our day at the dinner table but tonight it was awfully silent. “What’s up guys? This is surreal. Luke, are you not going to complain about something I haven’t done?” Luke set his knife a fork to a side. “Mum said if I upset you on your last day with us I won’t get the game I want.” I looked over to my mum. “I just wanted you to be happy when you leave.” She said innocently. “When no one’s talking to me?” “That’s not the case honey; it’s just that… it’s a very emotional evening for us all.” Interrupted my dad. “Not all of us.” Burst out Luke. “Luke!” my mum gave him the glare and shut him up within seconds. “I will be back you know? I’m not going forever.” “Sadly” murmured Luke. There was a small pause before we all burst out laughing. He couldn’t keep quiet for a minute.

*

It was a pretty emotional evening and as I lay in bed in my deserted room, both excitement and fear buzzed in my mind. My mum and dad both came to tuck me in just like they used to when I was little; I didn’t say anything. My mum was practically breaking down and I didn’t want to seem annoyed because the truth was I was going to miss her too. “You ready?” asked my dad. I slowly nodded my head. They both kissed my forehead and left the room.

My brain started to come up with predictions for the following day. I’ve seen what the campus looks like so my imagination had a bit more stability. Fear started to build up as my restless night’s sleep began.

*

 “Your train leaves in fifteen minutes” explained my dad as he handed over my ticket. I was going to University of Leeds to study Advertisement and Marketing. It was a subject I always considered but I never thought to take on. After two years of hard work on my A-levels I figured it was perfect for me. The subject consisted of so much creativity which proudly, I was full of.

“Awhh…” my mum continued as she pulled my cheek and having tears fill up in her eyes. She looked at me silently almost as I was a still landscape, there to stand and admire. Starting to feel a tiny bit uncomfortable and my cheek turning numb, I opened my mouth to speak. “Well... I best be getting on board then…?” asking her to let go of my cheek. The words almost hit her as it was time for me to leave.

We hugged for ages whilst she left sloppy kisses all over my face. My dad gave me a big grizzly bear hug which I know would take me long to get over whist Luke gave an almost forced his hug.

*

After bidding farewell to my family I went off in search of my seat. “D3… D3? Ahh, here we go!” I mumbled to myself. I put my handbag down on the seat and boosted my suitcase up on to the rack. Taking my jacket off and making myself comfortable, I sat down.