An Unexpected Change of Heart

Kind of like an Introduction

“Mum…”  I sigh, dragging on the word.  “I’ll come back to visit.”  I reason as she weeps uncontrollably in front of me.  Everybody in the airport was staring at us… but that didn’t bother me.  The fact that my mum is crying is what I hate.  “Every holiday.”  “Mum I won’t have that much money.  I’ll come on everyone’s birthday, mother and father’s day, Christmas and New Year’s.”  I continued.  “O-O-Okay.”  “Now stop crying mum.  This is the sixth time and I need to say ‘bye’ to the rest.”  I say with kind eyes, waiting to make sure she’ll be fine.  “Okay.”  She complied, wiping her final tears away.  I lead her to my dad and he nodded for me to go on.  Two groups of friends came to say bye, but I only cared about one.  Though I had known people from the big group longest, I wasn’t as close with them as I was with my small gang of close friends.  I saved them for last as I exchanged my ‘farewells’ with Kelsey, Riley, Russell, Ellen, Tahlia, Jay, Byron, Kai, Zac, Phoebe, Taylor, Nikki, Claire, Ruben, James, Liam, Hayden, Oscar, Mannon, Jenny and Lachlan.  I didn’t any, because I’m a little reserved when it comes to physical contact like that.  Finally my best friends.  A huge toothy smile grew on my face as I approached them, but it soon turned into a solemn frown.  I said bye to Kyle, Renton and Jemeel, hugged bye to Judd, Brandon and Teddii… but my bestest friend of all… Amelia.  I have actually known her the longest, since our first year in high school which was about 9 years ago when we were 12.  We stood there, not accepting the fact that we would have to be separated.  I swallowed hard as I did my best to hold the tears back.  Standing right in front of her, I shook with sadness.  Her cheeks and eyes were so red, it was obvious she dreaded this moment too.  “I don’t want to go.”  I whispered as tears began to sting my eyes, shaking my head in denial.  We slowly went in for a hug, then I felt her jolt and we both became emotional.  This isn’t like us though.  Especially me!  I hate showing negative emotion!  I hate looking weak and vulnerable and fragile and… and…  I just hate it.  We soon parted, laughing at each other’s appearance, furiously wiping our cheeks.  “I’ll visit you in the States.”  I promised.  She still had another year in University before she moves to America, so either way, even if I wasn’t offered a job in London, we’d be in this situation.  “Good afternoon passengers.  This is the final boarding announcement for flight 72C to London.  Please proceed to gate 4 with your boarding pass and identification ready.  Thankyou.”  A woman spoke through the speakers.  “Ugh… Well I’m off.  Don’t miss me too much peeps!!”  I joke to bring everyone’s spirits up which works as smiles appear.  “See ya, butt.”  I call softer to my brother in a light-hearted yet sombre tone.  I wave goodbye to my little crowd as I leave the place and board the plane.  I sit in my seat and stare at my country from a far in the sky.  I pick up the plane phone and dial a few numbers.  “Hey Paul.  …  Yea I’m going there now.”