With Love, Greece.

Prologue

"Absolutely not Lana, you are just going through a phase." My mother repeats that sentence I've heard for the hundredth time over the last few months. A phase, her new favourite term for my recent life changes, along with 'fit', 'meltdown' and 'wobble.' Although I would call it, taking back control.

I look back to her through my Ray Bans. I know best not to answer, allow her the limelight before speaking. So, I stay quiet and allow her to finish her useless rant. Useless, in the fact that I have no intention of listening to her opinion, I am purely informing my parents of my plan out of respect for them.

"I did not teach you to run away from your problems Lana, you are a strong, independent woman who can fight for her independence and not just run off to another country, " she continues. I look to the other side of the garden dining table where we're enjoying the early morning sun, looking towards my father, who, like me, has not said one word since my mother started speaking.

"You cannot throw away something without trying to fix it first, you are having a fit and there is no way I shall allow it to continue, and especially not allow you to run off to another country." My mother sits back in her chair, swiping her short blonde locks behind her ear. I knew she would act like this, especially after what happened to...nope, don't go there.

After a moment silence, my father leans forward, resting is arms onto the dining table and grasping his hands together, "are you quite done Linda?" my father speaks. My mother lets out a large huff of air while my father turns to face me. "Al, darling, are you sure that this is what you want? Why don't you come and stay with us for a bit if you want to get away from things?"

Not once have my mother and father called me by my full name, Alana, they prefer their nicknames, Lana by my mother, Al by my father. I remain silent, wondering if telling them about my plan was indeed actually a horrible idea, then again, I didn't come here for approval. "I did not come here for permission," I speak honestly. "I came out of respect and do not wish to keep you in the dark, my flight is booked, and I leave early tomorrow morning," I stand, my parents following suite. "I need to get home; I have to finish packing."

I turn to my father, placing a kiss on his cheek before turning to my mother, tears in her eyes. I hold back on rolling my own eyes, "mother please don't be upset, I shall be home before you know it, I will phone you both every day, I promise."

My mother nods, knowing fully well once I have a plan set in my mind, there's no changing it. She pulls me in for a hug and I turn, leaving them on the patio, walking through the house towards my car. I look up to the sunlight beaming, UK summers are getting hotter, it's only early May, but the current heatwave suggests summer has already begun.

I throw my bag to the passenger seat, pulling out of the driveway, I smile to myself. For once, in a very long time, I feel some sort of control over my life again.

Goodbye England, Hello Greece.