Get through Senior year. That's all I needed to do then I would finally be able to get out of Oklahoma.
Head down and keep quiet. That's all I had to do and I would survive. That was my strategy.
Until I caught the attention of the wrong person.
M...
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Weeks passed and it felt like graduation was getting closer and closer. Spring Break has passed in a blur and now it was another weekend where I was with my mother.
I was glad that her boyfriend had to work and I took the opportunity to go out with my mother to talk. Talking with her was out of the normal for me but I was glad because I had the answer to her constant question.
What was I going to do after graduation?
"So?" My mother lifts her coffee cup, motioning from across the table. "What college? I know as smart as my daughter is, she's gotten herself into a great school."
I looked around the small cafe for a brief moment, watching how everyone was deeply engrossed in their conversation. Turning back to face my mother, I relaxed my shoulders and decided to tell her.
"I got a full ride to the University of San Diego."
Her eyes widen in surprise before a small smile appears on her lips. Her expression wasn't bad but the hesitancy was obvious. "That's amazing."
I could sense the 'but'.
"But?"
"California is just so far away, Gen." A look that I haven't seen in a very long time, crosses her face. Worry.
"I know, but it's perfect for me. I have a high chance in being in the National women's soccer league."
Her look doesn't change and it makes the feeling inside of my chest that much worse. Why couldn't my parents be happy for me? It made it hard when they are engrossed in their own lives and paying so much as little to their only child. A child that is leaving off soon and unsure of ever coming back.
"I know you want me to be static about this, love, but I can't help but worry about you living so far from home."
Home. Durant didn't really feel like home to me. Not with all that's been happening. I wanted a new start. A journey towards being independent and not having the constant disapproval of both of my parents.
The more I see what's happening on both sides, the more it's becoming clear to me that they want to live their best lives and I don't blame them. They could have waited until I actually left before doing whatever they wanted instead of treating me as if I was capable of taking care of myself.
And now that I mention that I got chosen to go to a University that is so far from them, they don't think it's a good idea? They should be happy for me.
"Did you look at Oklahoma State? Cameron or Southeastern?"
Sighing, I shook my head. "I don't want to go to none of the. I actually prefer to go out of state."
Taking another sip of her coffee, my mother gives me a look of disagreement. "Out of state is much more expensive, Genevieve."
"Which is why California is best," I argued. Yes, I got accepted into other great colleges but not all of them came with scholarships. "It's a full ride with some small expenses."
