A Change for Good

Chapter 5- Dreaded Arrival

I'm back again, this time with chapter 5! Enjoy, and remember to comment, follow, and especially VOTE!! :-)

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" All check-in luggage can be retrieved at the baggage terminal," the announcement booms over the bustling trolleys, luggage carts, and people. I breath in the familiar smells of leather from waiting areas, food from the cafeteria, and rubber from the electric trolleys zipping by, and I know I am at the airport.

Because my family usually flies privately, Chloe and I follow mom and Kai to the special VIP check-in. This only takes a few minutes, and before I know it, I am hugging my mother goodbye outside the stairs leading up to the private jet.

I hug Kai next. I sniff in the familiar scent of his soap mixed with faint cologne. "I'll miss you so much, but call me every day, okay?" he whispers in my ear. My eyes are full of tears when I nod. He kisses my forehead and I reluctantly step away.

Finally, Chloe attacks me in a fierce hug. After a few seconds, I sniffle. "Uhhh... Chloe? I can't breath..."

"Oh yeah." She loosens the embrace but doesn't let go. "You better tell me everything. And send me lots and lots of pictures," she says between small sobs. I can't help but crack a smile. "I promise, you will know everything I am doing every single second of every single day," I reply.

Apparently, my response satisfied her. "I don't know what I'll do without you," she sniffles.

"And I don't know what I'll do without you either," I say.

With my luggage already loaded in the plane, I wave a final goodbye before heading up the stairs and disappearing into the cabin of the jet. I take a window seat and wipe away my tears. I need to look confident, I tell myself. Just like at school.

When I feel a little more self-composure, I draw the shade up and look for the three people I care about most. I blow kisses as the plane gets ready for take-off and they are escorted back to the terminal.

I lean back in my leather seat and close my eyes as the stewardess brings me a Shirley Temple. This is going to be the worst year of my life.

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I wake up as the plane starts to lower itself into the blanket of green. As we get closer, I realize those are green trees, in the middle of fall. No wonder they call it the Evergreen State, I marvel. Then I shake my head. Just don't let me set foot in those woods.

I soon feel the plane hit the earth as my untouched drink begins to vibrate. I yawn and get off the plane as soon as it comes to a complete stop.

Following the man who is carrying my luggage, I find myself entering the terminal. My eyes widen as I see a young woman who looks almost exactly like my mother. She looks up and makes eye contact with me as I slowly inch my way closer to her. Her mouth drops open in shock. We stay like this for a second until I trust myself to speak. "Jennifer?" I whisper.

She doesn't reply, instead taking a large step toward me and slowly envelopes me in a hug.

As soon as we pull away, I notice a young man behind her smiling at us awkwardly. He clears his throat, and Jennifer glances behind her.

"Oh yeah, uhhh.... Annalise, meet my fiance, Rob," she says nervously.

He waves hello shyly. I wave back. I didn't know Jennifer was engaged... I guess nobody ever bothered to relay the news on to me.

She chews on her bottom lip. "Well, let's get going, shall we?"

We make our way outside. Even in the parking lot, the air smells like leaves, dirt, and nature-ish stuff. I shudder at the very thought of having to come in physical contact with that stuff as we come to a stop in front of an old turquoise pickup truck. I sit in the back and Jennifer sits shotgun next to Rob, who is driving.

"So, Annika, how is...well, was school going before you came?" Rob asks after a few minutes of awkward silence.

"Well first of all, call me Anna. And school was normal, I guess."

We make small talk for about half an hour before reaching a small gravel road marked PRIVATE: NO TRESPASSING. I whip out my iPhone and start taking pictures for Chloe.

I take about ten before we stop at a dead end. I look out the window and see a small townhouse sitting next to a classic red barn and silo. Rob and Jennifer get out, leaving me alone in the truck. I take in my surroundings. I see Jennifer outside, throwing a tennis ball for a shaggy collie. Ewww, I think to myself. I hate dogs. And any animal, pretty much... well, unless I'm eating it.

Rob opens the truck door and pops his head in. "You coming?"

"Yeah," I hear myself saying. It's not like I chose to come to this pit of misery.

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A/N:

Wahoo! Little does she know, the farm is AWESOME! Oh, did I mention, spoiler alert? :)

Thank you so much for reading! And if you haven't already, please comment and vote!!! You have no idea how happy I get when I read a new comment or see someone has voted for my story. Happy dance!

You guys are awesome!! Keep checking for updates.

Anyways, enough talking. Time to comment and vote! :) :) :)