Back Road

Prologue

  "Is that the last box?" Alex, my brother in law asked as I made my way to his car. "Yeah, that's it. Let's hit the road, Jack." He gave me a weird look and muttered his name under his breath. I rolled my eyes and replied, "it's an old school song reference, uncultured swine." He just shook his head with a slight laugh. "Whatever, weirdo. Let's get on the road, we have a four hour drive ahead of us."

  An hour into the drive and we have already gone through two of my playlists. I'd been singing along to everything that played, at a volume that I know would soon annoy Alex. I was just trying to keep my nerves in check. I hadn't lived with my sister in years and we are polar opposites. I steadied my breathing as my mind started to race and focused on choosing the next song. "Have you heard of Snow Tha Product? She's my favorite artist. I asked him, he glanced at me and shook his head. "Well let's remedy that, and no talking over Snow." I scrolled through the list until I decided on which one of her songs to show him first. I clicked on her song 'Faith' and let the words sink in.

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   "We're here!" Alex and I chorused as we opened the door to my newest home. There had been quite a few as of late. I'm hoping this will be the last until I get my own.
"Elanaaaaaaaaa!!!!" I smiled as I was ambushed by three bodies. "Hey kiddos! I missed y'all so much." I hugged all of them tightly and felt my eyes start to sting. I hadn't seen my nieces and nephews in almost two years, so the reunion was quite emotional.
"I can't wait for us to share a room, we can do makeup and help each other pick out outfits, I'm just so excited." I smiled at my niece Haley, she was already so grown up. I can't believe she was about to be fifteen. Ew, yuck. "I can't wait to do all those things too sweetheart. Now all we gotta do is unpack all my stuff."

                                    ******                                        
Six months later

  I can't believe how much has happened in such a short time. I moved in with my sister and her family to get my life together and I thought it would take years. Now, I'm a week away from moving into my own place. I never thought I'd make it this far, so fast. I guess moving here was the motivation I needed.

I was in the middle of packing when my sister walked into the room I shared with my niece. "Hey Ellers." She said with a slight smile. "Whats up, Sissy?" I asked. I know what you're thinking, and before you ask, yes I'm twenty three years old and still call my sister that. Saying her actual name just feels weird, so I'll always call her Sissy. "I just wanted to tell you that I'm really proud of the woman you have become and are continuing to grow into. I know how hard you can be on yourself, so I wanted to remind you not to overthink anything. You're doing amazing, and mom would be so proud." I was already crying by the time she finished talking. I talked about my mom all the time, but I've always felt like she died before I ever really got the chance to make her proud.

" Thank you, Sissy. I didn't even know how much I needed that until you said it." I smiled at her through my tears as she sat on the edge of the bed. " It's true, I was really nervous when you moved in because of how much we used to not get along, but things are so different now. We have both grown so much since we were kids and always fighting. We still definitely have our differences but I couldn't be prouder of the woman you're becoming. I really don't even want you to move out. But you have to live your life for you, and I know you're gonna kick ass." I was in shock to be honest. I thought I had driven this women crazy all this time being here. I certainly didn't expect her to say she didn't want me to move out. We both knew it was time though, I had to really understand what it was like to do things on my own. I'm very thankful that she's been there to guide me through all this.

"I sign my lease tomorrow, can you believe it?!" I asked with nervous excitement. "Yes I can, you have worked so hard to be able to do that, there is nothing I can do except fully believe in you." She answered back with a huge smile. "Are you excited?" She questioned. That was when my smile dropped a little, causing her to look at me weirdly. "I am, don't get me wrong but I'm also really nervous. This is my first time ever having my own place, where I am solely responsible for everything. That sounds wonderful but also terrifying. I'm afraid I'm gonna fuck it up somehow, you know?" I didn't realize all that would come tumbling out until I finished my thought. She looked me in the eyes and said, "Babygirl, of course it's scary but it's because it's unknown to you. If anyone can get their own place in a matter of six months from moving to a brand new state, it's you. I've never seen anyone hustle the way you do besides mom. You're gonna kick ass at life, sis. I know you will." I had started crying again, my goodness this was an emotional day.

"I love you so much, Sissy." I said and gave her a hug. "I love you more." She said hugging me back. I smiled and replied, "Can't be possible." Her face lit up and she smile back before saying, "It's a fact."

I have no idea what life plans on throwing at me next but I do know one thing for sure. I'm not letting anything or anyone hold me back from living the life I want anymore. I just need to keep hustling.

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Authors note: Hi everyone! Hope you guys like what's going on here, I know it's a lot of sappy shit so far but things will start to pick up very shortly. This is roughly based on events from my personal life with a few added twists and scenarios playing out a bit different. I've been trying to journal for a while but it's hard for me to keep up with so I thought writing it all down in this capacity might help. Anyway, hope you guys like the read and keep in mind that I'm roughly editing as I go but I fully intend in doing a deep edit as soon as I finish the story. I hope everyone has a great time reading!