Different

Chapter 1

"Pinky promise?" He leans over, holding out her hand out to mine. I playfully lace my index finger instead of my pinky, making her pout.

"Hey Esme! That's not fair ya' know. You said you'd promise" He groans as he still holds out her hand to me, still glaring at me with his bright hazel eyes. Knowing this is my last night here, I still can't believe I'm leaving tomorrow, leaving everything behind, including my friends, my house, this town. I'm losing my best friend here, Grayson.

"Esmeralda! Promise me you'll come back and visit" He pleaded.
"I promise.." Whispering as I watch both of your fingers lock, hoping I can live up to that promise.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Esme!!" Hearing my mother's voice ring through my head, breaking my thoughts from my sleep. Rubbing my eyes away awake, my eyes open to the buildings of NYC. Spotting taxi's from every corner, hundreds of people walking around the streets.

"Goodness Esme, you were asleep for nearly for hours." She huffs. I can't blame her, she played her gospel soundtrack most of the ride, aside from playing "I spy". I love my mom, but in some cases, I can't handle our differences. She was always protective of me. Stretching off, I spot many new changes in the city. As a kid, I lived in the Manhattan District, I remember seeing the skyscrapers towering far. They were like glass giants, protecting the city. It's been 9 years since I've visited the city.

"You excited?" My mother asks as she drives through familiar places in the city. Eddie's Pizza Parlor, The old hair salon, I still see the exact parking spot my mother would park for work. Years ago, we moved out of here to Ontario, Canada, down in the Mississauga. After my father passed away, she wanted to start again in somewhere knew. It was a rough start, but we managed through. This scholarship at NYU was unexpected when I first received it. My mother refused at first, but took quite a while for her to understand. Mother hated the fact that we had to return to our old town, especially the distance.

"Yeah, a little bit, the city is improved over the years. Plus me and Camerom only have 1 class together anyway" I tell her. She turns around to me, frowning.

"It'll be fine Esme...I know what will help, let's go hit Eddie's Pizza Parlor, I bet Eddie would be pleased to see us again. Who knows, his clock might still be broken, exactly like last time." She laughs, driving towards the parlor I still remember.

"Hopefully it helps, Mom...." I murmur to myself, hoping she didn't hear.