Jayden & Astrid [On Hold]

CHAPTER ONE - YOU'RE LUCKY YOU'RE CUTE

🎶I'm coming home. I'm coming home. Tell the world I'm coming home - Coming Home by Dirty Money ft Skylar Grey🎶

Astrid Johnson sat in front of her mirror dutifully applying azure eyeshadow. Occasionally, she'd catch a glimpse of the plethora of items behind her that she should have packed ages ago in the mirror, glare at them until the makeup brush started to feel heavy in her suspended hand. She'd then sigh and continue with her makeup.

A series of short knocks on the door interrupted her learning. She rolled her eyes at the woman poking her head through the already open door. "The door's already ajar. Why bother knocking?" She asked.

"Because it proves that, contrary to the rumors, I can respect people's privacy." The woman explained.

"Whatever you say Charlotte."

The sly grin creeping onto Charlotte's features was abruptly turned into a questioning frown. "Astrid Johnson, why the fuck aren't you done packing? Do you want to miss your flight?" She inquired, gaping at the mini-mounds of Astrid's belongings scattered all over the room.

"For a second there, I thought you were going to go full guardian mode and use all my names, but you only used my first and last names, so this situation doesn't irk you that much." Astrid said. "And you're not supposed to use swear words in front of kids."

Charlotte snorted. "One, you're sixteen. You hardly qualify as a kid. Two, swearing builds character. Three, stop trying to distract me from scolding you." She chastised as she playfully threw a pillow Astrid's way. The fluffy projectile, although expertly thrown, was caught and casually tossed aside. "Damn your good reflexes." She mumbled. "Do you want to miss your flight?"

"No."

"Then how come your room looks messier than ever? I thought I'd find you waiting by the car. Or that you'd do that thing where you'd wait for me to wake up and draw me while I slept. I expected anything but this." She exclaimed, waving her arms around.

"I was working on packing. I swear I was. I just... I just don't know if I'm ready. I thought I was. I mean, I haven't been home in years. And while I was gone, so much changed, too much changed. It's one thing for things to change while you're present during the changing process. That's like being on a carousel from the start. But for things to change while you're absent... that's like being tossed into an already spinning carousel. One that's going fast. The chances that you'd get thrown off are too high. That's what this is about. I've changed. The people I left behind have changed. Nothing is the same. The world didn't just stop spinning just because I moved continents. And it creeps me out so much. What if I can't handle the change?"

Charlotte wrapped her arms around Astrid and rested her chin on her head. "I get it. You're scared. That happens to all of us. But you're also strong, Astrid. You are so strong. I know you. If you're flung onto the carousel, would you fall at first? Maybe. But that doesn't mean you should give up. It means that you take a step back to observe the carousel. Observe how it works. Take note of the speed. And then you jump right in again. Don't be scared of change. Embrace it." She philosophized.

"Thanks."

"Anytime. Now that I've done my bit as a responsible guardian, can you please continue with your packing?"

"Sure. But only if you help." Astrid chirped, shooting her a pleading look.

Sighing, Charlotte picked up a discarded skirt. "Remind me why I help you with stuff you can and should do on your own?"

"Because you can't resist my cute pleading eyes."

"You're lucky you're cute." Charlotte mused. She stood, arms akimbo, surveying the disarranged room. "Okay, I tackle this room from the left side and you tackle it from the right side. It was supposed to be a week's job, but if we put our minds to it, we can pack all your stuff before dawn."