From The Ashes We Rise

Chp 28: Singapore

~2 days later~

Today's the day I leave America. I finished my packing around 12 am and took at least an hour to sleep because I was so excited. It felt like a permanent vacation to me. All the clothes and the extra stuff I had were packed into two separate bags, one being the bag I brought when I ran away and another being a luggage bag Ms Drews gave me.

Since it was the weekend, Cassidy and Kyran agreed to meet me at the New Orleans International Airport. I'm guessing they'd be bringing their families along because they knew me well.

I looked back at the building which had sheltered me for the longest time. Meeting new friends was tough for me but Kyran, Cassidy and Sammi have stood by me throughout.

Walking out of the compound towards the car, I smiled. Those memories would never leave me. My friends, they'll miss me, but I have to go. All my relatives in Minnesota who won't even know where I've gone to, and think that I've died somewhere far away, wouldn't even know I was bound for a foreign country. Nick had tried to call me multiple times but I was somehow always asleep when he called. I should've told him everything but I never had the courage to.

I stepped into the vehicle and glanced at the orphanage for the last time. I smiled, tears welling up in my eyes.

"Ready to go?" Ms Drews asked me. I nodded.

Oh memories
Where'd you go?
You were all I've ever known
How I missed yesterday
And how I let it fade away

Panic! At The Disco played in my earphones as I gazed out at the road. Cars and trees zoomed past as we drove along. Up above, the sun shone brightly as if encouraging me to stay strong. Never have I ever thought that I'd ever go somewhere beyond America.

I was only a few hours away from actually leaving for Singapore. I decided to take a nap throughout the journey to the airport.

••••••••••••

"Hey, Cas! Hey, Kyran!" I embraced the both of them in a bear hug. I was right; both their families came. They greeted me and some of them went to hug me.

"So...today's the day, huh?" Kyran asked, combing through his hair.

"Yeah," I sighed. "I'll be leaving America for Singapore."

"I've been there before," Cassidy informed, her head shooting up from looking down at her phone.

"How's it like?"

"The locals are so friendly, the food is amazing and it's easy to get around," she replied.

"Really?" I asked, my interest piqued.

"You should've done more research on the country before you even leave," Kyran suggested, rolling his eyes.

Cassidy nodded her head. "Yeah. There are so many things you don't even know about Asia, let alone Singapore."

"Yeah, and learning about a new country saves you the time when you first enter it," Kyran advised.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "I'll research about it later. But for now, can we eat something?"

"Had breakfast already. Sorry," Kyran apologised.

"Me too," Cassidy added. I glanced at Ms Drews, who was standing idly beside my luggage.