It's a Long Way Home (Luke Hemmings)

A Years Worth of Daydreams

"Wakie wakie eggs and bakie!"
I groaned and rolled over in my bed, pulling the covers over my head. I don't know who was trying to wake me up at this ungodly hour but I was not having it. The sun was just barely peaking and my eyes weren't ready to open up.
"Three more hours," I groaned when someone placed their hand on my head.
"Honey, you've got a flight to get to. All of your luggage was already taken. You said wake you up at 7 AM, remember?"
"Yeah, yeah. I remember. Okay. I'm up," I said as I groggily sat up in bed.
Today was the day. The day I left for Australia. It was a bit weird to think, let alone say out loud. My parents had their fair share of tears, but I knew they were excited. I was nervous.
What would Luke be like? I knew it wasn't the most important question to mull over in my head, yet there it was. It was the one thing I couldn't stop thinking about. I knew him just as much as his oddly specific Craig's list ad would allow. A few emails back and forth weren't much for revealing his deepest darkest secrets. He seemed nice enough. Half of me was hoping he would be cute, the other half hoping he wouldn't be, so at least I'd have no distractions while school was in term. But, school wouldn't start for another four months.
At least my family couldn't make a big deal out of my birthday because I was leaving the day of. Once I arrived at Australia, it would be like I had traveled through some mysterious time warp that skipped over my birthday.
Eighteen years old today. I almost couldn't believe it. The day I became an adult was the same day I really became an adult. I was living halfway across the world. On my own. Well, sorta.
"Happy Birthday, hija," my mom smiled, handing me a chocolate cupcake with a single lit candle like she did every year.
"Gracias mama," I responded, blowing out the candle and wishing for great things to happen while I was in Australia.
"What did you wish for?" My dad asked.
"For some chorizo con wevos," I said jokingly.
The three of us laughed and my mom brought me to the kitchen where chorizo con wevos wrapped in tortillas with sour cream on the side were already prepared.
"I'm going to miss you guys so much," I said sadly.
"And what about us?" Alex asked, walking through the front door with David beside him.
"Guys! I didn't now you were coming. You told me you weren't gonna miss school today," I laughed.
"Who needs first days anyways," David laughed.
"Yea! We'd rather be here for you. Besides, your mom helped us plan this so that we could surprise you."
I looked at my mom and chuckled, "sneaky, mamma."
She giggled at me and left me alone with David and Alex.
"So this is it?" I frowned.
"It's only for a year and a half," Alex chuckled nervously.
"But we're always just a Skype call away. You better call us."
I smiled sadly and wiped the tears from my eyes.
"I'm going to miss hugging you guys."
The two of them cooed and we squished ourselves into a group hug.
"Here's you gift from us, Dani," David smiled.
Alex handed me a large backpack bulging with items.
"This is a lot more than one gift," I laughed, struggling to keep the backpack up.
"It's all the essentials you need for living on your own. Extra clothes, makeup, a towel. Even a nice blanket."
"Plus a photo album if you ever get lonely and want to see some beautiful faces," David grinned.
"I love you guys so much."
"We love you too Dani. It won't be long before we see each other again."
"Sooner than you know," Alex said, taking hold of my hand.

"Wakie wakie eggs and bakie!" Luke called from beside me, cuddling up close to me and kissing the top of my head.
I smiled softly, remembering that this day one year ago I had received the same greeting from my parents.
"You gonna get up, sleepy head? It's 11 in the morning."
I yawned and outstretched my arms over my head.
"You look so cute when you wake up," Luke chimed.
"Aw you shut your mouth Luke Hemmings, before I shut it for you."
"I'm not gonna shut my mouth," he teased playfully.
I laughed and straddled him to the bed, kissing him quickly so that he would stop talking. I could feel him smile from underneath me and he sat up, taking me into his arms.
"Happy Birthday my beautiful princess."
I rolled my eyes at him, "I am neither. I am a tough queen. I can beat you up."
"Sure thing," he smiled, picking me up and taking my hand. He lead me to the kitchen where the table was set with stacks of perfectly shaped crepes. There were bowls of strawberries, bananas, and other fruits. A jar of Nutella and a jar of peanut butter sat on the table beside the crepes.
"You didn't," I said in amazement.
"I did," he smiled, wiping a bit of flour off of his shirt.
"You're so great," I beamed at him.
He shrugged, "I know," and pulled my chair open for me.