Aggregate

Chapter 1

ag·gre·gate noun/ˈaɡrəɡət/a whole formed by combining several elements.

Chapter 1. Time to leave I used to believe that I would always be alone. I was isolated from my friends, school and even in my own home. My name is Aaliyah Swan and this is how I came to love life. I have lived in Phoenix, Arizona since I was 3. Even though I've lived here for almost my whole life, I don't know very many people. I used to attend a public middle school until I was betrayed by the people I trusted most. Ever since then I've been attending school online. I am 17 years old now and am in my junior year of high school. Soon I will be moving to Forks to live with my dad, Charlie Swan! I'm ready to leave this house and start fresh. I'll be attending Forks High School for my senior year of high school instead of online schooling. I won't know anyone there except for my dad and I can't wait for it. It took me over a year to convince my mother to let me move to Forks. "Mom, it's my senior year and I want to be able to attend school in person." I begged. "Why can't you go to school here in Phoenix? Your sister and I would miss you too much!" She replied back to me. "You know why I can't go back to school here. My anxiety would never allow me to actually survive there. I'd rather die than see those people again." I retorted. She knows about my anxiety disorder, but she always chooses to ignore that it's a real illness. I also suspect that I have ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), but it took me 3 years to get my anxiety officially diagnosed, let alone something that she doesn't even believe is real. "That's just an excuse to get out of finding friends. Fine then! Let's see how you would 'survive' in a school where everybody knows your business." She retorted haughtily. "I can go? Really?" I asked with a smile. "Yes, call your father and tell him that I'm sending you to him in a week." She said. My eyes were blown wide with how fast she was trying to get rid of me. It doesn't matter how I was going to leave, the point is that I get to leave! And super soon too!!! I ran to the shared room I have with my sister and knocked because she'll have a fit if I don't. "What!" She yelled. "I'm coming in!" I said through the door before I opened it. "Izzy, I have news!" She grimaced at me "What is it? Finally leaving? And would you stop calling me that, it's gross." "Sorry, but yes! I am leaving!" I replied jovially. "Wait, really? About damn time mom kicked you out." She said with a shocked expression. "I'm moving in with dad up in Forks." I replied, ignoring her previous comment. "I'm gonna go call him, bye Izzy!" "Stop calling me that oh my God!" She yelled as I shut the door behind me. I booked it to the bathroom so I could call my dad. Ring Ring Rin- "Hey Li, how're you doing?" He asked me. "I'm super good right now!" I said. "Wow, I've never heard you this excited. What's going on?" "I'm moving out finally." "Really now. Where to?" He sounded a little dejected. "I'm moving in with you finally. So don't sound so sad, silly." I said calmly. "Really? Renee is finally letting you move here?" He said sniffling "Give me a second Li." I heard more sniffling over the receiver and slightly chuckled. "Dad, I love you," I said softly "I'll be there in a week ok? I need to start packing now." "Perfect. I'll make sure your room is all clean for you to use. You still like yellow, right?" He asked. "Of course, it's my favourite colour". I replied. "Got it. I love you Li, see you very soon." He said then hung up. ~~~ I spent the next couple of days packing and eagerly awaiting the day that I leave. I could tell that the others in the house were avoiding me. I don't know if it's out of anger that I'm happy, or sadness that I'm leaving. It doesn't matter to me anyhow, I'll be leaving in 2 more days. ~~~ "Hey Aaliyah, are you really leaving? Just like that?" Isabella asked me. "Yeah, why are you asking?" I questioned. "Well you're just leaving me and mom behind all of the sudden. It's like you never cared about us." She said meekly. I frowned at her statement. It's not that I never cared, but I was never cared for by them. My sister isolated me from anyone, and my mother never believed me when I told her what was happening. The reason why I have such bad anxiety is because of them. My trust was broken so badly that I haven't opened up to anyone other than my dad for years. I explained to her that I'm leaving to better myself and that it's time for me to think for myself. "But what about me!?" She screeched, "Why are you leaving me with mom? You think only you have it bad because I'm her favourite? She puts everything on me! Chores, work, paying the bills, and I even have to be her therapist. I have to do all that because she trusts me more. What do you do except leech off of others?" "I'm sorry you feel that way Izzy. I didn't mean for this conversation to end up like this, but I have to leave now. Mom's driving me to the airport soon." I said monotonously. "And why do you keep calling me Izzy? I hate it, ugh!" She snapped. "Because deep in my heart, I wish I could see the little sister I used to love so much come back." I said with a sad smile. She opened her mouth to say something, but quickly shut it and stalked away from me. It's time to cut out the rot and start a new garden full of beautiful souls. "It's finally time to leave." I thought as a tear rolled down my cheek.