Something Special

2

  "Keep your hopes up high, and your head down low." - All I want by A day to remember

I had never been on a plane before. The furthest I had ever been was a small town in Kansas, and that was at the constant annoyance of my little sister as we had driven to Kansas City to see a Royals game. It has rained the entire time, and my dad had hated it. My sister loves that trip, has such good memories of it, and my dad finally relented and did admit he had had a great time.

The thing though is we had driven. Had left home very early one morning, drove all the way to Kansas City, took in the game, drove 40 minutes to this city to stay the night. The next day, we woke up early and drove all the way back home. That's just who my dad is though, get there and home, why stop for anything else?

Today, I found myself sitting in the airport parking lot with my parents. I was flying for the first time alone, and going to a city I had never even dreamed of going to.

I had secured two weeks off from work. If I made it passed that, they would extend it on a week by week basis. There were stipulations though. I would have to be on call as much as possible to answer questions or back fill if there was not other option. I was happy with that just to secure my job. It also meant that I got a new company paid laptop to replace the crappy one I had been provided with with I started. They had wished me luck and asked that I think of them as I gallivanted around. It was nice to work for a smaller company who gave their employees the chance to really shot for their dreams, no matter how silly one my thing they are.

"I'll see you guys next week right?"

"Right." Dad smiles as we stopped in front of the check in. "Sharon sent the paperwork for our hotel. We should arrive a couple of hours before you go live."

"Drive safe okay?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, I love you both."

They hugged me and said they loved me too. Then they let me go. For the first time in my 23 year old life I was going to be further than a two hour drive from my parents. I went to school close to home, only because I didn't want to be far.

Flying hadn't been terrible. At least it exceeded my expectations which were me ending up dying. I survived and was carried away from the airport and towards a swanky hotel. It was all a blur as I was rushed through the check in process by some assistant to someone. By the time I found myself in my room, alone I wished more than anything Amelia had been able to be here with me.

I hadn't made up with Amelia before I left. It wasn't really for lack of trying I guess. We played phone tag, every time she called, I ignored the call. That only led me to believe when I tried to call back, hoping she would answer, she ignored my call too. I was still kind of annoyed with her for saying those hurtful things in the heat of disappointment. Probably if I had been in her shoes too, where I wanted so desperately. In the first time in probably my entire life, I was alone. I know that once the competition gets started, then I would be surrounded by tons of people. The moments where I felt alone, I would wish for them.