"Cassie!!" I hear my mom's voice call from downstairs. I groan to myself and roll out of my tiny yet comfortable bed. While neatly tucking the corners of my bed sheet into the head board, I take my time because this is the last time I will be completing this task for months.
"Cassie!!" She calls again.
"I'm up!" I call back. I hear the sounds of plates and silverware clinking together so I assume my mother is frantically preparing breakfast.
It's been 4 months since Luna's "funeral". The first two weeks of her being officially gone were agonizing, I was practically in my room 24/7. I didn't do anything but cry or sleep. By the third week I realized I that she wasn't coming back, with that realization I slowly got better.
The knot in my stomach grows with each step I take to the bathroom, by the time I'm in the shower it's nearly unbearable.
I've spent the last few years nervously anticipating college. My weeks were spent studying and preparing for this day, while my peers were out partying and getting drunk jeopardizing their futures. When my acceptance letter for Virginia State University came I was thrilled, I expected it but that didn't take the excitement away. My mother cried for what felt like hours, and I have to admit I was pretty proud of myself but I couldn't let my mother see my self pride.
I've been in Virginia all my life and briefly considered moving for college but decided against it. I like familiarities and routines just like my mother.
The warm water relaxes my tight muscles. I hurry and wash my hair and quickly run the razor over my legs.
As I wrap the small towel around my body I hear my mother call my name again and I ignore her. I know she's nervous for my arrival day as much as I am if not more, but I've had this day planned out by the hour for months.
I look over to the picture of me and my best friend and smile.
My brother Tyler is going to drive with me and my mother. He is still a senior and will be joining me at VSU next year. Tyler keeps a perfect grade point average, I wish he was coming now especially because I won't know a single soul at college. Tyler-next to Luna- is my best friend. We are closer than any other siblings I've ever seen. When my parents separated my brother decided to live with my dad for reasons I'll never understand, but I guess the same goes for him about my mother.
"Cassandra!" My lovely mother calls again.
"I am coming. Please don't call my name again." I say as I roll my eyes.
As I walk down the stair I see Tyler sitting on my couch with my mom. He's dressed in a blue sweater and khakis. His normal attire. His light brown hair is gelled back in perfection.
"Hey college girl." He greets me with a sweet smile. I walk over and hug him. "I missed you sis." He kissed the top of my head.
I pull my brown hair into a bun while Tyler grabs my bags for me.
"We will wait if you want to fix your hair some more honey." My mother says, running disapproving eyes over me.
When I finish we meet Tyler at the car and drive away. I feel like I have a hundred butterflies in my stomach. I have two hours to shake them lose until we get to campus.
"Here we are!" My mother sings as we drive through the stone gates onto the campus.
I'm impressed. The buildings are old and elegant and the campus is filled with families hugging and kissing their children goodbye.
