London Calling.

Chapter 4

That afternoon as I laid on my bed throwing a ball into the air, I thought about how I was going to make my great escape. In a case like this was it going to be easier to just do it, then ask for permission? I knew my parents were going to overreact when they found out I was leaving. It would definitely be easier if I wasn't here when they did throw their fit. They would just yell at me about how irresponsible I was being and how I would regret this decision later on. I had such a bright future in front of me and I was just completely messing it up. There was no way that I would be able to conceive just how big of a mistake I was making. 

I pitched the ball up one last time and as it fell back down into my palm I knew what I was going to do. I bolted out of my bed and grabbed my laptop from out of my backpack. I flipped it open and quickly clicked on the Google chrome icon.  As soon as the Google home screen had popped up my fingers rapidly typed into the browser AIRLINE FLIGHT TIMES AND DESTINATIONS. I clicked on the first link that came onto the screen and typed in my leaving destination and tomorrows date. In a matter of seconds the results popped up and I began looking at the prices and how long the flights would be. I took a few notes on each one so that I could compare later on and not just jump into this like a complete idiot. I knew that the only money I had left was what little I had in my bank account and the money I had gotten back as residual money for this term.  

Just as I began typing my info into another travel site, my phone vibrated. I reached over to my bed and looked at it. I had just gotten a text that read, "Whatcha up to?" It was of course from Emily. I could've sworn that girl had some kind of sixth sense when it came to me. 

"I'm looking up travel info. I've decided I'm leaving tomorrow morning." I replied to her. I smiled as I pressed send. This was the first time in my entire life I didn't have a plan completely laid out in front of me. I was honestly just making up plans as I went along and for the first time in a while I was satisfied with life. 

I looked down at my phone just as it lit up with another text. "If you're leaving tomorrow then I am too. We can go to the airport together and part ways there. I'll start looking at plane tickets now. Oh! And I'll pack, can't forget my clothes. lol."

"I'll call you later when I have decided what my plan is. Good luck finding cheap tickets." With this last text I threw my phone back onto my bed.  I continued scrolling page after page trying to find the best price and time. When I had finally decided on the perfect ticket I ran downstairs. My parents hadn't been home for the last week. They had been busy with some business trip to somewhere I didn't remember. They were always gone somewhere and this being the case they left me with a spare card to their bank account so that I could buy food or whatever necessities I might need. So, as one final parting gift to them I decided I would use their bank account to purchase my ticket. Evil, perhaps, but did I care, no. I ran back upstairs and quickly typed in the card number and all of my info and soon I had my receipt ready to print out. 

With the more complicated part done, I next turned to packing. I turned on my stereo and cranked up the music. The rhythm from the song filled the room and I could feel myself beginning to dance along to it. It had been a very long time since I had actually felt compelled to dance. I had been in such a haze that I had forgotten how to really listen to music. I stopped moving for a second and let the sound just rush through my body. I could feel the melody of the song inside of me. The highs and the lows created a feeling in me that was almost euphoric. I closed my eyes and let my mind focus on the words and the emotions. In this one moment, I felt at peace with myself. 

When the song was over, I continued to pack my clothes into my backpack. I decided that in this case, maybe less was more. I was only going to take one carry-on bag and my backpack. If something wouldn't fit, then it wasn't needed. I would buy all of my toiletries when I arrived so that would give me more room for the things I needed. I shoved my laptop into my bag and zipped it up. I  dusted off my hands and looked around my room. I had packed all that I wanted to take which was a job well done in my book. 

Before I went to sleep that night I called Em and discussed what we were going to do. We decided to meet up at 4 am so that we could arrive at the airport in plenty of time to go through security and customs and also to say our final goodbyes. I told her that I would drive us to the airport because I could just leave my parents car there and they could eventually pick it back up. She agreed that, that would be the best idea. We ended our call early so that we both could get some good sleep before tomorrow morning.

After the conversation had ended, instead of going straight to bed, I wrote my parents one last final note that I was going to place on the kitchen table in the morning before I left.

"Hey Mom and Dad,

Well... I guess you've figured out that I'm not here... Don't spaz. Everything is ok, I promise. Before you read the rest of this I really wish you would sit down. I've left for London. I'm aware that you will more than likely be furious at me, but it was something that I needed to do for myself. I used the money out of your bank account to buy my ticket because I needed to use my personal money for my finances when I arrive there. Also, I used your car to drive us to the airport. Oh, us would be Emily and myself. Emily is leaving for India. We both need our own time to grow and becoming our true selves, as hippie-ish as that might sound. When I arrive there I will email you and tell you which parking lot I have left your car and my new cell number. Please don't take this as me trying to escape from you all. I do love you both very much. I just need to figure out who I am and who I am supposed to be. I need an adventure. I will miss you. 

With all the love in the world,

Caroline xoxoxo"