Living with the Harringtons

Bags in hand

Amaya felt her phone buzz in her jeans pocket. It was a message from Noah, her best friend.

"Why didn't you stop?? I literally thought you were going to run me over. What happened to saying goodbye?"

"When are you even coming back? Have you spoken with Sarah? She's going to be pissed."

A wave of shame and guilt washed over Amaya. Did he really run all the way from his house just to say goodbye? She thought to herself, her heart heavy.

"I'm so sorry. I just panicked and didn't know how to say goodbye to you or Sarah."

"Sarah is going to miss you," he replied.

Though guilt tugged at her for leaving without a proper farewell, his message brought a small smile to her lips, knowing he meant it too. She quickly typed back, "I miss you too."

Locking her phone, she stuffed it into her bag and leaned against the cold window, her headphones on, letting the hum of the car lull her into sleep.

Before she knew it, they had arrived in the capital. Amaya's heart raced with anticipation as the city unfolded before her. It was so different—so much bigger than anything she was used to.

As she drove past iconic landmarks—the London Eye, Big Ben, and the throngs of people—everything felt alive, yet she still felt out of place. She reached for her phone and snapped a quick selfie, sticking out her tongue and flashing a peace sign before sending it to Noah and Sarah.

"Where in London do the Harringtons live, sir?" she asked the driver, her curiosity about her new home bubbling to the surface.

"Mayfair, ma'am," he replied, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. "Quite an upscale area. You might find it different from what you're used to."

Amaya bit her lower lip, a knot forming in her stomach. She had never traveled abroad; her mother had always discouraged such dreams. Now, she was stepping into a world far removed from her small-town life, and guilt crept in. Would her mother approve of this?