No promises

Chapter One

   Who knew this day would come so soon? It seemed like just yesterday we were in elementary sharing secrets and holding hands nonchalantly. We didn't have standards back then, and we didn't have to. Now we're here, we realize the world for what it is now. We only hold the hands of the ones we love. We have standards because not everyone can be trusted. We've changed.
   I remember walking across the stage to accept my highschool diploma, valedictorian, it all felt like a dream.
Then there was my best friend Garrett Thompson, salutatorian. He's always been catching up with me since we were kids. I was always one step ahead. He always hated that.
   "Amber I'm not ready," Mom said cooking me my last meal. "We've all got to grow up sometime mom," I said leaning on the counter. My luggage was sitting by the door, waiting to meet it's new home at Sweeton Lakes University. Sharing a room is going to be a major change, but I'm sure I'll get used to it. "Man, you grew up too fast" dad said. I laughed while running my fingers against the granite slab. "I guess so," I replied. My brother finally came downstairs, possibly just waking up. "Morning Henry," I said giving him a hug. "Hi Amber," he said smiling. I'm going to miss him, all of them really. You can't replace someone so innocent though. "Where are you going?" He asked pointing to my stuff by the door. "Well...you see big sissy Amber's got to go to college now. That means I can't stay here," I said. He pouted and crossed his arms. "That's not fair." "I know shoeball, but that's life," I said patting his shoulder.
"Ain't that the truth," Dad said.
   Mom set the plates down onto the table and sat down. She cooked my favorite meal just for today. "So Amber, how's dormitory life going to settle for you?" She said breaking the ice. I shrugged. I don't know, I haven't lived it out yet. "I suppose it'll be a challenge, as of most things, but nothing I can't handle." I replied.
"Yes absolutely. To be quite frank, you've become a rather sophisticated young woman," Mom said. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." I replied. We all laughed while we enjoyed a nice meal.
As we reached the end of the meal, I decided to run upstairs and into my closet. I grabbed my childhood favorite Teddy bear. I named him Ernie a long time ago. I'm not exactly why I chose that name, I suppose it spoke to me. I walked back down the stairs ready to leave and be picked up by Garrett. "Don't leave Amber," Henry said starting to cry. I remained to hide the bear behind my back. "Well here you go a Memento of your big sis," I said. "What's a mum-mwint-toe? He said trying to pronunciate. "Something to remember me by, his name is Ernie and you two can be best friends for me okay shoeball?"
"Okay!" He said smiling again and hugging Ernie tightly. "I love Ernie, but I love you more," he said hugging me goodbye. "Love you two Henry," I said, "I promise I'll call Mom and Dad to talk to you on the weekends okay?"
Henry nodded and ran off to play with Ernie. "I'm miss you Mom and Dad," I said hugging them tightly. They couldn't help but shed a few tears as Garrett pull up and we placed the luggage in the trunk. He stepped out and helped too. "Thanks Garrett," I said as he told my parents goodbye with a nice firm hug. He opened the door for me as we got inside and started our journey. The journey of University life. Soon to be a living hell.