Take Me to the Stars

Chapter 4

~ 4 ~

Beep beep beep, I woke up to my alarm at 6:00 in the morning.

“Ugh, Monday.” I said as I slowly got out of bed. I pulled on my slippers and tiptoed down stairs, trying not to wake anyone up. Derrick had already left for school, and Caleb doesn't get up until 6:30 (he barely does anything to get ready for school). And mom doesn't get up until it's 10 minutes until we have to leave. So basically, i'm the only one up for a half hour.

I go into the kitchen and start to get myself some cereal, when I hear someone coming down the stairs. I turned around and I was surprised to see my mom walk sleepily into the kitchen.

“Oh, i'm so sorry mom. Did I wake you up?” I asked quietly.

“No, no it's okay. I woke up on my own. How did you sleep?” she walked over and gave me a hug. I suddenly remembered the night before how I had yelled at everyone and slammed the door in their faces. I hadn't remembered to say goodnight or even apologize.

“Uh, I slept fine.” I pulled away from the hug. “Look, mom, i'm so sorry about last night. I just... I don't know. Sri-Lanka is …..... it's such a beautiful country and it's my dream to go back there.” I said hesitantly.

My mom eyed me suspiciously. “Are you sure its the country you miss, or something in it?”

“Uh you know. Beautiful architecture and stuff.” Ugh, I thought to myself. I've always been a terrible liar.

“Architecture? Honey, since when have you been interested in architecture?”

“Long time.”

“Oh really.”

“Yeah.”

My mom wasn't buying it. “Are you sure it's not the sunshine and beaches you miss?

“No.”

“The hotel?”

“No.”

“The smoothies?”

“No.”

My mom sighed and started tapping her head, as if she already knew but just couldn't remember. Then, her face lit up.

“What about that lovely boy that gave us a tour around the city? Oh, what was his name? It was something like Nico, or Rick, or.....”

“Rico? Uh, n-no. I-I don't, he's not...” Ugh, why was I lying? Why couldn't I just tell her the truth about him? Then my mom got that I – told – you – so face.

“You hesitated. You like him don't you.”

“What? Mom, no. It's been like two years already and I couldn't possibly remember what he looked like. I hardly even remember him. The only reason I remember his name is because.... well... you reminded me when you said Nico.” I said, desperately trying to deny that I know anything about him.

My mom held up her hands in defense. “Okay, alright, you've made your point.” She sighed. “Well, whatever the reason is, I think that it's a great dream to have. Sri-Lanka is a beautiful country. Maybe someday, when your older, you can travel down there with your kids. Okay?”

“I have to wait that long?” I said sadly.

My mom just laughed. “Just the architecture huh?” she winked then walked out of the kitchen. I sighed. True, I felt kinda bad about lying to her. But I wasn't really sure that I was ready to tell her about Rico yet. Maybe sometime else, but now was just not a good time. I would end up having a meltdown and crying on her shoulder. Just a big, teary mess.

No.

Not just yet.