By the time we reached my house, I had stopped crying. I reached up and grabbed the sun visor so I could check my eyes for redness, and my cheek for a hand mark.
With no swelling in sight, Brooke and I climbed out of the car and started walking up towards my house. When we reached my front door, I hesitated. Suddenly I was very nervous and felt a drop in the pit of my stomach. It was like that feeling you get before you walk out on stage, or walk out on the field of your first sports game. But this time, you aren't just watching from the croud, you're living it.
The door creaked uneasily as I stepped in. The eggshell colored walls and tile floor greeted me with an abundance of familiarity and the memories of my kin. I gulped down my pride as I called for my parents.
"Mom! Dad! Can you come down here? Family meeting!" My voice broke on that last word and Brooke squeezed my shoulders, knowing of the lump in my throat. The tears I was choking back felt sharp like swords threatening to cut me open and release my emotions.
It's just telling my parents on moving out. To another country, though. That's harder. It's like telling your parents that you don't want to see them again, because you're separated by not only water, but parted by money and time.
We made our way to the living room and sat down on the soft suade couch. Brooke and I waited for no less than ten seconds before my parents came down the hall, and they were smiling.
"Hey, Charlotte, how do you feel about going house shopping with us today? It should be fun," My father proposed.
"Uh," I bit my lip and glanced back at my best friend. My palms had started to become clammy and my heart was racing.
"Actually that is what I... we, wanted to talk about today," I spoke while stepping back to position myself beside Brooke.
I took a deep breath and continued, "We were planning to move to London. Brooke and I shared this dream since our freshman year of high school. I know it's-"
"You cannot leave the country. Our only daughter will not leave the country for a silly dream in a high school fantasy." My mother yelled, red-faced and definitely disappointed in me.
"Mom, it's my choice! I would be paying for the plane ticket, and for my half of the apartment." I knew this argument was going to happen, but at the same time I couldn't blame her for being sad.
"Charlotte, this is a big responsibility that you want to take on. A whole new area, and you don't do well with navigation anyway. Plus there are jobs and bills, and don't even get me started on climate." My father was usually a pretty reasonable man. But when it comes to separating him from people and things that he loves, he can't, won't, take it.
I sighed and spoke again, "This is an opportunity for new beginnings, and it's also a learning experience for us." I gestured to Brooke, "We want to explore the world we have come to love."
My parents exchanged looks of worry, and then disapproval, "You're not moving." They said in unison.
I understand that Brooke is letting my parents and I work it out, but now it's a two-on-one approach and I'm not happy.
"It's my life! It's my life," I hesitated before the last word, "You guys have to understand that. The both of you moved from New York to start fresh. What if I want to do that? I am twenty years old, I am allowed to move on with my life."
My mother looked down, and then at my father, "Oh, James, I think she's right. We can't hold her back."
I felt relieved, but my heart fell to my feet when I realized that I was going to leave my parents and everything I know.
"So, I'm allowed to go?" I asked warily. My tongue caught in my throat and I felt more emotional than ever. It felt like the time I wanted to run away when I was nine; leaving my world behind to start new. It didn't last very long, with hunger and no place to sleep, I ran back into my mother's safe arms.
She nodded and my dad just stared at the two of us before nodding his ok. Brooke walked up to me from her seat on the couch and smiled at me. I smiled back warmly and with sisterly love.
Her eyes could tell me more than her voice could. She was excited and afraid, but mostly cheering over their victory. This was really happening.
I walked up to my mom and my dad and hugged them tightly. I could tell that they didn't want to let me go, and I didn't either. A tear slipped down my face when Brooke joined the group hug and that moment was perfect.
