Photos of her

Part 5

Ellari:

Is it possible to feel a wave of relief and anxiety at the same time? Because that's how I felt when we landed. It's now 2 pm.

At the baggage claim, I waited for around an hour to find my suitcases, then another 40 minutes for all the others to find theirs. when we were finally leaving I got into a small argument with august because he didn't want me 'dragging' my own bags. He only won because he took them out of my hands, I felt terrible the entire time, now not only was he carrying my two suitcases but also his brightly colored duffle bag. I couldn't take the time to look around as I was too busy trying not to get lost. eventually, we made it out of the crowd and into the parking spaces outside. We wondered for a while before a group of girls walked over, with bags and suitcases. out of nowhere hugs and greetings surrounded me with many glances in my direction. I stood there awkwardly waiting for someone to introduce me, maybe I should introduce myself, but I don't want to rush in and sound desperate, perhaps I am desperate, why else did I accept august's invitation to live with them? Maybe it was a dumb idea to come with them. Perhaps it wasn't and I'd end up making lifelong friendships. Or in therapy. I noticed august was bringing over two of the girls, and immediately straightened up.

"This is Ellari, Ellari this is Adriana and clove, I'm going to go pack the van"

clove was around my height, she had tan skin brown eyes and short brown curly hair,

Adriana was taller than me from where she was standing, had brown skin, and brown eyes and her hair was black in braids.

"August tells us you are our new roommate," said Adriana

"it's nice to have another girl in the place, now we'd have someone else to side with us"

clove came beside me and linked my arm with hers "you're coming with us I'm driving" she said with a thick Australian accent

she walked me over to a minivan with haze and august already waiting.

Adriana ran past us yelling "I CALL BACKSEAT" August yelled after her "I CALL SHOTGUN". so that means I'm in the middle seat with a haze.

I took the seat behind the driver's seat and haze took the one behind the passenger's putting the armrest down.

The first few minutes were an argument between august haze and clove about the music. Adriana was laid out in the back most likely asleep on some bags. I wonder if I should text Elenor about how I am, and how she's doing. I haven't texted her since my breakdown, which was embarrassing, to say the least, what if my father changes when I'm gone how will he know to contact me? But the point is for him not to contact me, but what if he's dying and wants to apologize? Never mind, I need to be more spontaneous. whatever happens, happens, no intervening.

"hey Ellari where are you from," clove asks

"I'm middle eastern but I grew up in America"

"what states?"

"a little bit of everywhere, I've spent a few years in Washington, California, Missouri, North Dakota, Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and-"

"And? there's more?" august questioned

"yeah, my family and I used to move around a lot, most of the time for my father's work"

"was your dad in the military?"

"Not that I know of, I really don't know what he works as all I know is that it required him to move from place to place overnight sometimes"

"it must've been hard moving and leaving your friends behind," clove says