Autumn Leaves

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

You know that feeling when your college years has finally ended? That all of the maths and algebra are finally over? That you won't finally see all the other annoying people at the university? That you will finally sleep peacefully at night without remembering any deadline?

Because I do. Hell yeah.

After the ceremony has ended, I vanished from my seat and approached my family who was waiting for me by the bleachers, applauding with huge smiles on their faces. My mom was crying as I came closer to them, stretching her arms towards me for a hug.

"I'm so proud of you, Paige!" Mom said as I wrapped my arms around her and she did the same, sniffing in my curly brown hair that reached my shoulder blades. She has the same curly brown hair as mine, only shorter. A lot of people tell us we look like sisters but I completely doubt it.

I smiled, feeling relieved. "Thanks mom," I said as she let go of our embrace.

Paul, my older brother, gave me a hug too. He inherited dad's black hair - when he was still in Paul's age - and green eyes which made girls swoon over him. My best friend, Ellie, included.

"Congrats, sis," he said as he patted my back and released me. Dad did the same thing too but only made me terrified of what he said.

"You're finally going to look for a job!" He exclaimed as his arms around me tightened and lifted me inches off the ground.

He put me down and I stopped for a moment. If this was a movie, the camera has zoomed in on my unattractive, awkward, freckled face while everything else zoomed out. Oh hell no, this freedom won't last long.

The horror.

I gulped down as my throat started to dry. "Not too fast, dad." I put my hand on his shoulder.

He laughed as if I just said that I'm dating Harry Styles - which is what I really think. As I dropped my hand from his shoulder, he nudged mine with his knuckles.

"Honey," he said, shaking his head. "Your mom and I already brought you a condo unit. By the end of the month, you should already have a job because we will kick you out of the house and you will finally live on your own! Yay!"

My eyes widened. "I-what?" I protested. "What if I didn't find a job?"

Mom patted my back, laughing as well. "Oh you will, honey." She reassured, nodding. "Have I told you that we will stop supporting you with your basic needs and bills?"

I think I'm going to collapse.

Okay, maybe not.

Or maybe I might if I didn't get to buy food for myself for the next months without having a job.

The horror 2.0.

"Mom, Dad - Parents! Don't do this to me." I pleaded. If it wasn't for the graduation gown and my knees, I would've knelt and begged for mercy.

Paul snorted, making me turn to him. I almost forgot he was there. "C'mon, it's fair to what they did to me." He said, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah," Mom and Dad agreed after one another.

I sighed. "Let me at least take a rest for now at home?" I stated more like a question so it is either rhetorical or a statement.

"Of course! Why wouldn't we show you your new home?" Dad said, laughing again as if I said the same funny thing - Dad, I'm dating Harry Styles.