Reverie

Chapter Five

This is what we've all been waiting for, guys.
Sorry it took so long ahah

This is it.

Today's the day.

The hunt begins now.

This is a new chapter of my life.

I personally think there should be trumpets and formal celebration and someone walking a flag up to my bedroom door, but reality says otherwise.

I walk downstairs to find that my parents have prepared a massive buffet-style breakfast. What.

I'm forced to pretend I want to spend my last bit of time before I leave with my family. Really, I'd rather just get this over with so I can leave. Don't get me wrong, I still love my family. But I've got other priorities at the moment.

My parents give me weird looks as I scarf down my breakfast. Willow, Teresa and Joyce wander in ten minutes after me. They take one look at me frantically shovelling pancakes and fruit into my mouth and all simultaneously squeal. Joyce actually needs to go back to her room to calm down.

What the hell!?

I finish shoving food in my mouth and look at my parents. Both of them have barely touched their plates. Oops.

"I'm full," I announce.

"Leo, is there something wrong?" My mother gives me a concerned look.

"Nothing's wrong, mom. I'm fine."

She looks at me doubtfully.

"Just excited."

"You don't want to spend some last moments with your loving family?"

"Oh my God, mom. I'll mail you every week. 'Kay?"

"I'll miss you."

"JESUS CHRIST, MOM. I AM SIXTEEN YEARS OLD. I AM ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF. I WILL MAIL YOU EVERY WEEK. YOU HAVE NO REASON TO GET ALL SAPPY KINDERGARTEN-MOM-LIKE AGAIN."

"Sorry, Leo. I'll still miss you, though."

"MOM." I sigh in exasperation.

"Sorry."

My sisters reappear around the corner at that moment and save me from the conversation.

"Teresa! Willow! Joyce! How are you girls this morning?" My mother grins.

My sisters mumble a "Good morning" in response.

"I'm gonna go back to my room. There's some last minute stuff I need to do," I say.

My mother nods and I jump up from my chair and sprint back to my room.

Thank God.

I focus on the curtains and pull them mostly shut, so that there's a small sliver of light passing through onto the floor. The glass paperweight is lifted into the air again, and the light sparkles through, illuminating the swirly teal spot in the middle. This always calms me. There's something else, another thought, attached to the glass stone now, but I can't quite grasp it.

A few minutes pass, and my mother calls, "Leo? The airship to Central is leaving in an hour. Just letting you know."

I put the paperweight in my bag and zip it shut. I'm dreading having to say goodbye to my sisters. When did I get this sentimental? There are some days when I actually want to strangle them to death.

My parents, not so much. They're great parents, but honestly, the constant hovering around me drives me crazy. This is like finally breaking out of their cage and building my own life.