silence » c.h.

prologue

My alarm went off exactly at 7:30 and I let out an animal-like growl, opening my eyes. I did not feel like waking up this early during December at all. I stretched out my arm into the cold of my room and slapped my phone, eventually hitting the snooze button and rolling over again. The sun was out already and the curtains casted blue shadows into my room.

I closed my eyes again and tried to ignore the light. The scent of coffee coming from downstairs suddenly reminded me what day it was. The very first day of Christmas break.

Meaning, the day I was gonna fly to Sydney for a student exchange. A huge smile was now on my face. I took part in a competition to win this student exchange. It was no regular exchange, though. It allowed me to study an entire year at the Newton High School of Performing Arts, which was a great opportunity for me. I was gonna attend 11th grade there, and I couldn't wait to go there. The thought about being taught the things I loved most (mainly music) made me smile.

"Ivy!" my mom finally called from downstairs, making noises as she took the dishes out of the washer.

"I'm coming!" I yelled back, throwing my cozy blanket away. As I got up from my bed, the thought of me not sleeping with this blanket for a year made me weirdly emotional.

I grabbed the clothes I laid out yesterday, long acid washed jeans and a tank top, as well as my sweater. My gaze flew over my large suitcase on the floor and my acoustic guitar that was leaned on it. Originally, I was going to take my e-guitar with me, too, but my mom suggested I bought a new one down in Sydney. Not that I complained.

I made my way to the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. Sighing, I took the hairbrush and tried to fix my hair, so I didn't look like a homeless drug addict once I reached Sydney (which turned out to be utterly useless, as even the best hairspray couldn't do anything about the 16 hours of chaos). The thought about going to Sydney made me shiver in excitement, and for the tenth time this week I wondered, if I would find friends quickly. I still could not believe that it was happening, it felt unreal. How was it going to be? I had so many expectations and hopes, but most importantly I hoped that I could finally get my mind off things that bothered me. I had to get out of this city.

I quickly put on some basic makeup, got dressed, and rushed downstairs into the kitchen.

My mom was already waiting at the small, black table, taking small sips from her mug. She had a focused look on her face and she was constantly re-positioning her reading glasses.

"Hey mom," I said, walking around the corner and grabbing the cereal box, along with a bowl. The milk was already on the table and I slowly approached it.

"Morning. So, today's the day, huh?" my mom asked, smiling at me. There was something behind her smile that scared me, and for a second I thought she was reconsidering the entire thing.

It was a rather weak smile, but let's be honest, who can pull a real smile at 8 am on a Monday? I nodded, filling the bowl with Cocoa Puffs and adding milk.

"Ivy, I want you to be careful down there," she said, looking at me and taking a bite from her cheese sandwich.

Oh no, I groaned internally. It's not like she never gave me this talk before. I heard the phrase Be careful down there around three times a day, since October, when they finally announced that I was the winner of the student exchange programme. I nodded knowingly, as if she just broke down entirely new information to me.

I still raised my eyebrow at her, my mom never had a reason to tell me to be careful, not that I was not aware of the fact that I was leaving home for the first time. She trusted me a lot, though.

"Yeah mom, I promise I won't get pregnant," I said, chuckling and shoving some cereal into my mouth. My mood was positive and I even had the ability to pull sarcastic jokes.

There was an awkward silence between us, and I stared blankly at our dark table, thinking about my trip again. My mom did not know that I was planning on getting a job and staying in Australia once I turned 18. Which was in June.

My mom laughed quietly and then said, "Ivy, that's not what I meant. I actually thought, you know, everything in Australia is trying to kill you."

I stopped eating my breakfast. Not that thing again.

"Mom," I started but she interrupted me. Jesus, help me.

"I know you're scared of spiders. And they have a hell lot of them. Also, be careful, there's crocodiles, scorpios, all that kinda stuff, so I suggest-"

"Mom!" I laughed, continuing to stuff myself with cereal. It was hard living with a passionate arachnophobe.

"I am serious," she said, grinning. She got up, grabbing her small plate and her empty coffee mug and placing it in the sink. How would it be for her, waking up alone, nobody at the coffee table to share the news with? We didn't speak about my dad, but my brother James moved out two years ago and lived in Melbourne. We both had dreamed about living in Australia when we were little.

"Are you quite done yet?" she interrupted my thoughts, taking a look at her wrist watch.

I started shoving the food faster into my mouth. Shit. It was happening.

"We have to call the cab soon, if you don't wanna miss your flight, that is," my mom said and winked. I smiled at her, as I wouldn't be here for an entire year. Might as well give her all the kindness I had in store.

Picking up the phone, she sent a quick text to someone and then ordered a cab for 8:30. After the phone call, she headed towards the staircase, before turning around and adding, "Ivy, please be ready in 15 minutes, I am going to get your luggage."

For one second, I had hoped she would say no and not let me go. But then I remembered that I was on a journey of finding myself, and I was just not able to do that here.

-

The ride to the airport wasn't long, and I observed every single inch of Los Angeles I saw as we passed by. I was going to miss it, sure thing, but once I was standing in line to drop off my luggage at the airport, my thoughts of being homesick were quickly replaced with excitement. Even though I, in fact, was scared of spiders, it didn't contribute a single bit to my mood.

Okay, maybe slightly.

After I got rid of the heavy suitcase and my guitar, I shouldered my bag and started taking out my headphones. I stuffed my passport and ticket into the bag and looked at the big screen on the ceiling.

"Okay, so I have to make my way to Gate H," I mumbled to myself.

I sighed and then turned around to my mom. This was the hard moment.

"I'll see you in a year, I guess?" I said with a crooked smile. Wow Ivy, you're literally the worst.

She smiled back, taking me into her arms. I hugged her back, trying not to cry. My mom has always been important to me, but I knew that I had to make this journey, and it was also a great opportunity. She slowly rubbed my back and then let go. We've been through all this a couple times at home, but nothing compared to the feeling I experienced at that moment. Freedom, that was probably the biggest at that moment, but also confusion and desperation mixed into my emotions.

"Yes. Remember, be careful, okay?" she said, repeating her words from a few hours ago.

I nodded, giving her a last hug and then heading in the opposite direction, ready to begin my so called adventure in Australia. I did not look back. Not once.

-

A/N

HELLO GUYS

okay so this is the beginning of the new calum fanfiction ((yes i know the beginning is pretty boring but bear with me it'll get better i promise)) and i really hope you'll enjoy it!

on the side is a picture of how Ivy looks in the story :)