How To Date A Greek Boy

A 180 Degree Turn

There was a loud collective gasp from the entire audience sitting in the auditorium as Fran and I took off down the aisle in the wrong direction, away from the stage. I could see Mum starting to get up from her seat somewhere in the back rows where the parents were supposed to sit. I could see it in her eyes, the familiar look that said she didn’t understand why someone was leaving her.

Stop, Lee. She deserves an explanation. She needs to know it’s not her fault.

So I stopped. Fran continued on, then stopped and turned when she realized I wasn’t by her side. I nodded to her and she continued running out.

I turned to Mum. “This has nothing to do with you, I just have to leave. Think of it as the late blooming of my rebellious teenager side.” I smiled weakly at her and covered her hand with mine.
“I know Frankie can be extremely convincing, and I know why you’re going, but this is your graduation! At least take your degree?”
I shook my head in frustration, unable to find the words to explain to her.
Her eyes clouded. “So stubborn. Just like your fa-“
“The emotional blackmail card isn’t going to work, Ma.”
“Ah, so you’ve made up your mind.”
“I’ve made up my mind. And I have Skype, WhatsApp, and Snapchat, kay? Learn how to use Skype. Ask Charlie to teach you. Then you can see everything-where I am, what I’m doing, who I’m with, if I’m doing hard unauthorized drugs.”
She let out a weak chuckle. “Come here.” She hugged me tight and I deeply inhaled the smell of her Sandalwood soap. That was one thing that would tie me to home.
“Don’t miss me much. And-”

“Leanna Williams!” I heard Mr. Richard call again, and I was brought back to my senses. I was still in the auditorium. I saw him leave the podium and stride down to the aisle towards me, looking positively pissed.

“Okay Ma, I got to rush. Love you. And one last thing- I’m not like Dad. I will be back.”

And then, with a last bone crushing squeeze, I ran out, just as Mr. Richard was about to reach me.

Leanna Margaret Williams and her best friend, Frankie Kate Jones had officially become runaways.

 “What took you so long? Jeez!” Fran stepped on the gas as I tumbled into the driver’s seat.
“Move dude! Richard is coming for me!” I banged the dashboard frantically.
“Chill out, it’s just Richard, not a Dementor.”
“Just move, Fran.”
“Yeah, yeah, we’re moving.” She grumbled and stepped on the gas. A huffing puffing Mr. Richard grew smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.

 “You know, I’m really glad we’re doing this.” She said, breaking the short silence and peering sideways at me.
I chuckled. “I’m really glad we’re doing this too, Frankie.”
And then, randomly, she hollered, “ROADTRIP YEAH!” And honked twice, loudly.
“Noise pollution.” I grumbled playfully.
“Inauguration.” She corrected.

I couldn’t help but smile at Fran’s excitement. She’d always fancied running away from home in a totally dramatic way and having people looking for her.

We settled into a comfortable silence, both of us knowing what the other was thinking of doing. Fran was thinking of driving over to our houses, which neighbored each other, packing our stuff and taking off, where we’d go, what we’d do, how much fun we’d have, basically travel planning. My thoughts were simpler, centered in on only one thing.

This was going to change us both. For the better or the worse, I didn’t know. But it would be one hell of a trip.

I looked around my room, taking in everything. I wouldn’t be seeing it for quite a few days now. My eyes swept over the practically bare walls.  I saw the notice board on one wall, crammed with photos of hot actors, and tiny post-its scribbled with my handwriting, reminding me of the things I had to do, my exam schedule in one corner of the board. I took it off and crumpled it.

No more schedules.                                                              

I saw the corner of the board where I have all my personal photos. Photos of me and Fran, of me and Mum, of me and Charlie. One of Dad and Mum and all of us, back when he was still around. One with the entire senior year, just before Prom. I smiled at that photo, remembering the memory.

Everyone was milling around the hall, chattering excitedly. In the background, Mr. Walter, who was doubling up as DJ for the night, played a slow lilting tune. Our little group huddled in the center of the hall, Fran flirting with Jeff, as I looked around me, taking in all the decorations the Prom Committee had done to transform the hall. Streamers hung from the ceiling, on the stage behind Mr. Walters I knew there was a huge three tiered chocolate cake, hidden from view, which would be taken out later during the evening to celebrate.
Suddenly, the mike burst with a short sound of static, followed by Mr. Walter’s voice.
“Hey there, kids.” He started goofily. “I can safely put my hand on my ass and say that you guys will be having a lot of fun tonight.”
“I can safely put my hand on my ass and say that he is drunk as shit.” Fran guffawed.
“Since today is the one day apart from your wedding day when you’ll be looking your best, let’s all have a group photo!”
“He’s drunk. Positively drunk.” Fran chuckled as all of us huddled together, grinning giddily, as the photographer snapped our photo, freezing the moment in time.

My eyes scanned the rest of the board, landing on the two photos with Joshua. I walked up and pulled those two out, tearing them up and throwing them in the bin.
“Goodbye.” I told them bitterly.

Then, I picked out my favorite photos and take out a notebook and pen. I carefully put them in the notebook and stuffed that in my backpack. A pen, my paperback copy of Pride and Prejudice, changes of clothes, a small teddy bear I just cannot leave behind, my toilet kit, some hair bands, my tiny make up pouch (what, a girl always wants to look pretty, okay? Even if she’s going to be in the middle of nowhere with a straight best friend and no one else looking), a water bottle, ready to cook food packets, some snack bars, and my credit card and emergency money followed. Drawing the strings on my backpack, I shouldered it and stepped outside.

Walking backwards, I stole one last glance at the place I’d called home for so many years. Leaving it felt weird. I never thought I’d leave before college. Bending down, I plucked a colorful croton leaf. I’d keep it with me always, I decided. It’d remind me of the house. I put it in between the pages of the book.
“I’ll come back one day. And that’ll be for the better.” I whispered as if the house could hear me.

And then, I got into the car and we were off.

“You realize I don’t know where we’re driving to, right?”, Fran said, eyeing me.
“I have a pretty good idea.” I smirked.
“Yeah? You want to share it? Because I’m driving.” She raised an eyebrow.
“Actually, you may not need to drive further than the airport.”
She frowned, a rare expression on Fran.
“Political map of the world, please.” I stretched out my hand to her.
She handed it to me.
“What are you doing?”
“Watch.” I winked.
I closed my eyes, and brought my hand to the paper. Carefully, I hovered over it, thinking of where I should put my finger down. I was confused.
Suddenly, I remembered a memory of Dad.
It was one of those days Dad had decided to come home late again.
“Where were you?” I asked him.
He ruffled my head and smiled at me. “I was in this beautiful place.”
“Where?”
“I won’t tell you. You’ll have to find it.” He chuckled.
“How will I know where to go?”
“It will call out to you, Lee. I’m sure when you grow up, you’ll go places. But promise me, wherever you go, go to the place that calls out to you.”

I shook my head and cleared the thought. Stop thinking about Dad, this is supposed to be a happy time!, I scolded myself.
I decided to not be too adventurous my first time, and put my finger down on a place that I was sure was close to home. I opened my eyes.
“HA! I knew it! I knew you’d pick a place close to home!” Fran smirked, the glee in her eyes evident. Then, I looked down, and gasped.
“You sneaky little witch! You turned the map!”

True to character, Fran had done something you’d least expect – turned the map 180 degrees, so that east was west.
“I was just trying to read the names of the places. It was upside down.” She stared back at me with puppy eyes. “Anyway, what’s done is done. So, we’re going to….” We peered down to check the place where my finger had landed.

Turkey.
Holy shit. That’s miles away!

How many of you thought she'd go to Greece first? ;)