GONE, GONE, GONE ( ORIGINAL )

ONE

KIA WOKE UP ON THE DAY SHE'D LEAVE FOR COLLEGE TO HER BABY SISTER CRYING. Asia was a fussy baby; never failing to wake up the whole house at four am. Kia groaned, turning over in her bed to cover her ears with her pillow. She wanted to sleep as long as she could today in her bed, before she had to leave for college and sleep in a random bed many people had slept in before her.

The girl listened as her mom shushed Asia. Her mom had to do it everyday when it happened, since Kia's stepdad was a grouchy old bag. Kia had never liked him, but her mom seemed happy, and that's all that really mattered.

Her dad had left their family a little after Asia was born. Angelica, Kia's mom, was quick to re-marry, which Kia didn't understand. How do you fall in love that quickly? At eighteen, Kia had never had a boyfriend and never fallen in love. It was something she didn't understand, and her career was her number one priority.

She was a singer; started on YouTube and slowly became very famous. Its been a struggle, but she loves it, so she deals with it. Her fans make her so happy, and her moms support was everything she needed to always keep going.

Around 5:30, Kia finally got out of bed. Yes, she was tired, but she had to get out of bed early anyways. She needed to be at the college at eight, and she took a while getting ready.

The outfit she had already chosen the day before was hung up together in her walk in closet. She grabbed the outfit then walked to the bathroom; turning on the shower then stripping and getting in. The cold water shocking on her bare back, and she hummed quietly as she washed her hair and body.

Eventually she left the shower, dried off, then got dressed. She wore her soft gray crop top that her mom absolutely hated- saying it was too inappropriate and that eighteen was too young to show off your body like that. (Spoiler alert, it isn't.) She paired it with some high waisted jeans that went just over her belly button. It was one of her favorite outfits: so why not wear it on the first day of college?

At this point it was six thirty, and Kia sat at her vanity to finish off her look with hair and makeup. She tied her long red hair into a high ponytail, adding a gray headband that matched her shirt. Quickly she did her makeup, simple but cute, and left her room.

She peeked into Asia's nursery, seeing her sound asleep. Kia grins and walked out, closing the door quietly. She made her way downstairs, hearing her mom and stepdad downstairs. She sighed as she noticed how rude her stepdad was being, and how her mom didn't notice.

She walked into the kitchen, not looking once at her tired mom or her disgusting stepdad.

"Morning sweetheart." Angelica stated. Kia waved her off, opening the fridge to find some sort of breakfast.

Angelica studied her daughter and pursed her lips. "Are you sure that's what you wanna wear today?"

"Yes mom, I'm sure." Kia states, grabbing strawberries from the fridge and taking a seat at the kitchen table. Angelica sighs, knowing there was nothing she could do to change her daughters mind. Her stepdad glared at Kia, but she ignored it.

"Are you all packed?"

"Mhmm." Kia responds. "Mom, can I borrow your combat boots?"

Angelica sighs. "Yes, sure." Kia was practically the same height as her mom, and the same shoe size. Her mom was a short, slightly chubby, brown haired woman. Kia's dad had red hair, which is how Kia and Asia got it.

"Thanks." She kissed her moms cheek before walking towards the door to slip on her shoes.

"So I'm driving you, right?" Kia nods and her mom checked the time. They had approximately a half hour drive ahead of them, and it was a bit past seven.

Right as Kia walked upstairs to grab her bags, Asia began to cry. Kia sighed and set down her bags, walking into her baby sisters room to shush her.

Asia immediately stopped crying when Kia lifted her up, and began laughing. The older girl grinned, and brought Asia downstairs with her.

"Can we bring her along in the ride?" Kia asked her mom. She nodded and took Asia so Kia could slip her (moms) shoes on. She put on her coat, grabbed her bags, and was out the door, her mom following close behind.

<>

Eventually, they were on the road. Kia sat in the back with Asia, and made sure she didn't get upset. As her mom drove farther from home and closer to her new home for four years (Haven College), she began feeling extremely worried. What if something happened to her when she was away from home? What if something happened to Asia and her mom? As her mind filled with worries, Angelica looked back at her through the mirror. She, being very close to her daughter, knew when something was up.

"Are you nervous?" Angelica asked, averting her eyes back to the road. Kia gave her baby sister her finger to play with as she sighed.

"Yes." As Kia was about to list why, Angelica cut her off.

"It'll be fine. You'll do great! You're going to a college for music, everyone around you will be exactly like you." Kia tried to image hundreds of her, "You'll fit right in. And, you'll be home for Christmas very soon. It'll be amazing."

Kia nodded, gratefulness for her mom rushing into her body. "Thank you so much mom."

"That's what I'm here for. Now, only ten minutes left then we'll be there. Get ready for your future to begin, sweetheart."