Ashley had never thought she would actually have to move, I mean, she thought living in the USA was going to be her life. Little did she know everything was about to change.
Ashley.
I woke with a start, sweat beading on my forehead. Another nightmare, the third this week. My sheets clung to my bare legs, wrapped around them as if they were trying to trap me.. like in the dream, oh god the dream.. I couldn't think about this. Not now. Getting up I sauntered over to my drawers and took out my uniform, a plain black pleated skirt and a white blouse, pretty standard. Living in the USA you would think we could wear our own clothes, but no, being in an all girls school restricts what you can do, I mean, they don't even listen to 'free speech'.
By the time I was dressed my mom was awake, I could hear her shuffling around in her room, it was next to mine. I mean, right next to mine. I hated it when she brought people, men, home. I could always hear them, that's why I never let my headphones out of my site. I would put them in and drown the world out, scrolling through Facebook on my phone, peace, until they would leave and mom would cry, and cry, like Niagara falls.
I went downstairs, 6:55, perfect. Boiling the kettle I skipped breakfast, making mom some tea, black, her favorite. Slowly walking up the stairs I opened my mom's door, only to find her in bed with a man I recognized from a few weeks ago. Shocked as I was, I put the tea at the entrance to the door and closed it, she hadn't heard me, thank god. By the time I has recovered I had to leave for school, grabbing my bag I went to meet Sarah. I arrived at her house on time, 7:45. Perfect. She was waiting for me, dangling from the tree outside her neat little house. Taking her bag from one of the bristle branches, we headed for the bus stop, gossiping about the latest films out, new celebs, the usual.
School was OVER for the weekend, okay, one more day, but then it was Saturday! I got home and was greeted by my mom, who handed me a letter. Curious I grasped it, and shredded it open. I had an idea what I would find inside, but never did I think it would really be that. Ever. Plane tickets, tomorrow, London.. I almost exploded with excitement. But why? Why now? My birthday was in October, and it was May. This didn't make any sense. I turned to my mom.
'What's going on?' I questioned, my voice tight.
'Your father -' I cut my mom off. 'He got in contact? AGAIN? Who does he think he is? He can't barge in and out of my life like this, what does he want anyways? And what's with the tickets?!' I was shouting now, tears streaming down my cheeks, I wiped them away with the back of my hand, ashamed.
My mothers eyes hooded over, something was wrong. 'H-he.. Has custody of you Ashley, I have no control over it, and he's making you move to England.. I'm so sorry..' I could see the dread floating in her eyes, but I wasn't going to question her. I was too shocked. He wanted me? Or was this another of his sick, sadistic jokes?
I ran. Out of my house, out of the town, I didn't stop until I reached the outskirts of the nearest city. I had always wanted to live in London, here was my chance and I was considering throwing it away? How could I leave my mom? My dad wanted me? What happened? Why now? Questions swam through my head. I didn't know where to start, or why I even should. This was wrong. But I knew, deep down, I couldn't stay.
Opening the front door I faced my mother, her tear stained cheeks made my heart throb. She knew. She knew I wasn't going to stay. Nodding her head at me, she walked away. For the last time. I packed my bags, the flight was tomorrow night. I wasn't going to miss it. Not now. Not ever.
Carol.
My daughter, my baby, she was leaving, my dear Ashley. I knew why, but I couldn't face the truth, not yet, and neither could she. We avoided it at every opportunity. Not a nice subject. Oh no. But off she went, out the door, not even a glance back. I knew she couldn't look at me. But little did she know that not everything was going to be as swell as she wanted, or even needed it to be.
