Exchange year

the airport

I ran through the long and dark corridors, blood everywhere, as suddenly a creepy voice appeared: "It's too late for you, Luc." I woke up, sweat dripping down my forehead. I felt like I had just swum in the lake. I flinched as I recognized a woman's face with brown curls and red glasses towering over me - my mom.

"Lucas, come on, it's already late!" She shook me.

I suddenly jumped out of bed and panicked immediately, "Fuck! Did I oversleep my flight!?"

"Almost! You have two hours until you have to be at your airplane to Illinois!" She said while she threw a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants at me.

I quickly got dressed and ran into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and did my hair (it looked messier than before).

I ran down the stairs, "Where's my suitcase!?" "Why should I know?" My dad answered.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, I remembered, I wanted to pack my stuff in the morning.

I hesitated and searched for my backpack.

My sister Stacy stood behind me and giggled, "Stacy! Shut up for once!"
"My god, calm down, dickhead, I've got you. I knew you wouldn't make it this early." She gave me my backpack and my suitcase filled with all the stuff I would need. I breathed out relieved, "What would I do without you?" I said while I hugged her.

"Now drag your ass here! We have to go!" my mother yelled across the house. "I am coming!" I quickly hugged my dad, "Be careful there, buddy, and be nice; otherwise, they won't respect you," he warned. I nodded quickly and jumped into my mother's little red car.

While driving, we cried our hearts out to Nirvana because we both love this band. The drive felt infinite.

I looked out of the window and smiled. I was so happy to finally get the chance for an exchange year, but to be honest, I was also afraid of the family. What if they won't like me, or what if they think I am dumb?

"Honey? Is everything alright?" My mother asked, a little concerned. I sighed and answered, "Well, I am a bit afraid of their reaction about me... You know?"
"Oh, Luc, how could they not love you?" I smiled a little. Was my mother right? I mean, I am a nice boy, why not?

We finally arrived at the airport.

I jumped out of the car and grabbed my stuff out of the trunk.
My mother took the stuff from me and ran into the hall; I ran behind her.

We asked every single person at the airport, but nobody knew about this flight. Curious. So we went through security control to first enter the waiting hall.

A woman with high heels and red lipstick ran towards us. "I heard you are looking for the flight to Illinois?" She asked in an Italian accent. I nodded and felt a glimmer of hope. "You are lucky, because of complications, the plane didn't take off, so if you'd like to follow me." I looked up at my mom, and she looked down at me. I quickly hugged her, "Bye mom, love you," I said with tears in my eyes. "Don't cry, honey, you'll have a wonderful time," she said and kissed the top of my head. With those words, I went with the lady and left.