A Bucket List for Ella

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

                  Less than a week later, I was back home in Vancouver, getting ready to bring my things to Australia. I had already cleared out my dresser and closet, and I brought all the clothes and shoes I would need for my first week or so there. It was really bitter-sweet – clearing my room of all my childhood obsessions and collectables made me sad. I was excited to be able to live with real family though, so that fact trumped the first.

I had one more suitcase, which was filled with personal things that I wanted to be able to bring right away – the rest would be shipped to me, along with the remainder of my clothes.

My godparents didn't think much of my move – they loved me and everything, though not like I was their child. They were sad to see me go, but they knew it would help me broaden my horizons. I gave them their gifts and my god brothers theirs and the two boys went on a boomerang-throwing rampage in the backyard.

My flight was booked and everything was ready to go. Boxes sat in my room of things that needed to be shipped to me, and I had all the things I would need for the long flight back to Australia. I had made my decision, and nothing was going to stop me now.

***

Almost a month after I left Australia, I stood at LAX, waiting to return to Sydney. The customs man called for the next person, so I walked up to him, passport in hand.

"Ella Marie Anderson?" the man eyed me up and down.

"Yes," I replied. It was then that I noticed that this customs guard was the same one who had served me last time, when I was here with Nico.

"I remember you..." he said, smiling slightly. I was surprised, considering the amount of people who went through that airport every day.

"Do you?"

"Yes. Your...your hair's grown out a lot," he said, smiling sheepishly. I touched my hair. It was longish, almost pixie-cut length, and it actually looked like I had meant for it to be that way.

"It has," I said. "I'm really happy about it."

The man checked my passport and then ushered me through to the rest of the airport.

"Have a nice flight," he said sincerely.

"Thank you," I replied.

***

Liam picked me up at the airport in Australia and drove me to my apartment.

"You look so different," he commented along the way.

"Bad or good different?"

"Good. Always good," he said. Liam looked different too; he looked tired. Bags sat under his eyes and his usual carefree attitude was different, and he seemed quieter.

"Everything okay?" I asked him.

"Hmm? Oh. Yeah, everything's fine. Just a bit stressed for finals. I missed you." It definitely didn't seem like everything was fine.

Liam helped me out of the car at my building and we went to the door that said Residences together. Once we reached the door to my apartment, I took out my key, stuck it in the keyhole and turned.