Promise Me ↦

uno

[ B E T H ]

"Grammy, please, don't cry," I whimpered, stroking my thumb across my grandma's cheek, wiping away the stray tear. "I will come visit you, I will visit you and mom, I swear."

She smiled, her red, teary eyes sparkling back at me, "Oh, sweetie, no need to have to come down here to visit your mother, she's with you every step of the way." my grandma choked out, holding back any more tears.

"Grammy, no, stop! You're making me cry, too. I don't want to cry. I want this to be a happy time, knowing that this is a new chapter. Nothing will change; you have Tuna and Patty and Mr. Rosa to keep you company. Patricia will keep you company too, I know." I shot her a grin, assuring her everything will be fine.

"I know, darling, I know. But...will you be okay? Your anxiety...and the night-"

"I'm fine. You're fine. We're fine."

She wrapped her arms around me for the millionth time this month, the same warm, caring, indescribable way it always has been. I've never forgotten the feeling. She passed it down to my mother. The feeling of...home. Warmth, safety, home.

We stayed like for a moment, until my cousin Patricia busted through the door.

"Betty I will miss you so freaking much!" Trishia cried, running towards us with her arms wide, approaching us with a hug. It was one big hug.

It was a cry fest by now. Everyone was sobbing and blubbering. It was all because I'm leaving.

"Betty don't leave, I'll miss you, we'll miss you, Grammy will miss you!" Trishia pleaded after our sob fest.

"I have to, I hate to leave my family, but I have to. I'll visit always, every month, every holiday break, every week, every weekend, every day-"

"Bethany, no. Stop it. Because we'll miss you doesn't mean we're expecting you to come and see us. You have a life, and we want you to fulfill it, succeed in it, dream in it, live it. Don't let us - imagine us as your weights - drag you behind. Don't be last in place because of us. Heck, drop us and run. Run and pass the others. Lead in 1st place, and cross that finish line. Don't be afraid to leave us behind, because just remember, we'll still catch up. We'll be there with you; but sometimes its better to just let go. You need to be free. Be awarded the trophy, the trophy that represents your dream. You won. You fulfilled it, you were determined. You didn't let the weights pull you down. You decided it was time to drop them and be relieved. You'll do good; I know you will." Patricia spoke firmly.

I then took her and hugged her. Hard. Patricia was always my best friend. She was such an inspiration, and a huge influence. All those tough times with my mom, my personal issues, and my mental state- she got me through it all.

"Thank you so much, Patricia. I love you." I cried in her shoulder, tightening my grip around her.

"I love you too, Beth. Now, please, you're going to suffocate me." she whimpered.

I chuckled, releasing my grip and standing in front of her.

"Goodbye, Trishia." I said.

"Not goodbye, Bethany. See you later." she winked, making me roll my eyes.

"So cliché."

I walked towards the door, turning around and facing my loved ones.

"Right, what Patricia said- see you later."

They smiled, and I turned around to the door. I gripped it and turned it, greeting the same neighborhood I looked out to every day.

I took one more look at my teary-eyed cousin and grandmother. "See you later."

I shut the door and let out a sob-like sigh. I opened the car door to my BMW and drove, sobbing while blasting my music.

√

I'm taking a year off college. Yeah, I know exactly what you're thinking. Why would you leave your family when you're taking a year off college, and it was so hard for you to leave? Great question, actually. And I'd be happy to answer that and clear everything up.

I'm going to attend a special music college in New York. And its always been my dream to visit New York. So this is a one in a lifetime chance...well not really. Anyway, I live in New Jersey so it'd take about 2 hours to get there with traffic.

But why am I taking a year off college? Well school has always been heavy on me. You know, working hard to do this and they expect so much. But I want to explore. I want to adventure.

I want to be free.

So when I arrived at New York about 4 hours later due to mess ups in directions and idiotic drivers and traffic, I was relieved. Relieved to be free.

My new apartment was cute. Small, but cute.

I quickly got unpacked, hoping to achieve my goal of 8 boxes unpacked for the rest of the day. Just the essentials.

That's when I heard a knock at the door.

I went to go open it and when I did, there stood a girl holding a container.

"Hello! My name is Lauren and I'd like to welcome you to the neighborhood!" The girl gave a big grin, which I returned.

"Hi Lauren! My name is Bethany, but you can call me Beth" I told her.

She then stood in a thinking-like posture. "Hmm...Beth sounds so original. How about...Than?" She puckered her lips.

"Than? Where did that cone from?" I chuckled.

"Be-THAN-y. You're name is Than...or Thanny! I love it!" Lauren giggled, slightly jumping up and down.

"Oh, these are for you," She said, pushing the container towards me. "I made them yesterday, just thought you might want some."

I smiled, "Thank you so much! Would you like to come inside?"

"No thank you, maybe another time though. My sister is probably wondering where I am. Anyway, see you later, Thanny!"

See you later.

√

Hey guys! Thx for reading the first chapter! Im excited for the story!
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Bye!

-a.h.