the girl on the roof

Chapter 1: departure

It's funny really, to think that you have a plan for your life you know a rough idea of how you'd like it to turn out and where you'll be in the next 5 years. But all it takes is one person. That one unexpected person to come along and completely throw you off course and send you spiralling into the unknown. You never know who this person is or when they'll pop up but when they do you'll never be the same. Little did I know that she was going to be that person.

***

I still remember the day my parents told me that I'd be going to boarding school in England. Just down to the initial surprise of being told I was being sent away, I wasn't sure what to think at first.

I'd just turned 11 but I still remember it clearly. My mum and I had spent the day around the city just hanging out like a normal Sunday afternoon when she suggested that we go and get something to eat a Madame Flure's coffee shop. My favourite place in all of Paris.
She sat me down at my favourite table in the garden at the back of the café, right next to the small stone water feature and told me that I'd be leaving my beautiful city of Paris for an English city of never even heard of! I couldn't quite believe what I was hearing.

At the age of 11 I was convinced that her and dad didn't want me around but she assured me that it was not a punishment "and would be good for me" whatever that meant. Rightfully so I was pretty lost for words but that was a long time ago now...

***

i stood there in my half packed up room double checking that i had everything i'd need for school this year. You'd think after 9 years of being at boarding school in England i'd be used to leaving by now but sadly no, its not the leaving home i detest its leaving my mother. I hate the thought of her being alone.

I stood there in the middle of my room looking around deep in thought, so deep in fact i hadn't noticed that i was no longer alone in my room until,

"Maxie my dear are you all set to go? the train for London will be leaving soon." My mum said scaring the life out of me.

"Jesus mum i didn't even know you were in here, yeah just double checking." i said slightly laughing with a smile. my mother smiled in return as she stared to put the clothes she held in my closet.

I went back to putting the last few things in my bags before turning around to check the closet one last time. But my gaze landed upon my mother as She was sat or more like perched on the edge of my bed looking at my bags by the door with a melancholy look on her face.
"Ma, are you alright,?" I asked gently placing my hand upon her shoulder, giving her a soft smile.

"I just miss you when you're away at school, that's all my dear, when you're here the house feels like home" she said in a doleful tone whilst putting her hand over mine. the past 9 years this is always the worst part about leaving i hate leaving my mum when a new term starts. ever since my dad left i know she gets lonely, although she'd never admit it to me.

we stayed like this just enjoying the silence until my watch beeped signalling that it was 9:30am and my train was at 10. My mum stood up and pulled me into a loving embrace that i would without a doubt miss. My head rest upon the top of hers as I stand 6'ft and she only 5'ft6.

taking a last look at my room with a sigh as I wouldn't be back here for a while now. Flicking my lights off I pulled my door closed and headed down to the taxi that awaited me by my front door.
My mum stood on the doorstep and waved me goodbye.