Undaunted

Chapter One

Chapter Two

I double checked everything that I have packed. Tooth paste? Check. Hairbrush? Check. Extra jacket for the plane trip? Check. Looks like I'm all set. I'm quite pleased with myself for being so organized. It was unexpected.

I look in the mirror to make sure that my appearance is the best it can be. I wear a signed Of Mice & Men band T shirt that Kain had given to me for my last birthday (along with four tickets to warped tour, that was AMAZING), a black hoodie over top with matching ripped black skinnys, and a studded belt and combat boots that Andrew had sent from his college last Christmas, well, I guess it wasn't really college was it?

My long purple hair is laying plainly down and my green eyes sparkle right back at me. My skin is perfect, no blemishes or pores in sight. With light purple eyeshadow, bold black eyeliner, and mascara to complete my look, I see I'm ready for my trip.

I decide that something is missing. A strange feeling had went over me, and I knew I had missed something. Going over to my jewelry box I grab an amethyst bracelet. The beads have tiny flowers encased in them, and the heart charm has a butterfly inside, the colors on its wings brighter than most butterflies I have seen. This was the most precious thing to me.

It was the friendship bracelet Ezekial had given me right before we moved. He said it would help keep him in my thoughts at all times. It has, and I'll never give it up.

I place it on my wrist and carry my three suitcases out to the car, keeping my jacket with me. After putting them into the trunk, I go back into the house for one, last thing: a picture that hangs on my bulletin board. I unpin it and look at it carefully.

It's Ezekial and I, sitting on a palm tree in the Bahamas, with Kain and Andrew in the background getting ready to light fireworks to shoot into the evening sky. This was the most recent picture I have of him, five years ago. Pretty sad, I know. I can guess what you're thinking. "What kind of friend won't even send pictures?" I don't know but I intend to find out today.

"Ready to go?" Mom asks from my doorway.

"Yeah, sorry. Time already?"

"It's almost 5:45. I don't want you to be late." She tilts her head  sideways, trying to see clearly what I'm holding. "I know that picture. It's the one you keep on your board all the time, right?" I nod.

"I've never been able to get rid of it."

"You nervous?"

"A little, but I'm more excited than I am nervous, though."

"Well," she says, as I stick the photo into my left pocket, "you won't have to wait much longer. Come on." 

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When we pull into the parking lot, Mom says, "Ezekial said they'll meet you through those doors, right there." She points to a pair of swinging doors. "They're already inside."

I get out of the car, and tell her softly, "Thanks, Mom. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you, too," she says, her brown eyes contrasting perfectly 

against her blonde hair. "But have fun with Ezekial. He's missed you too, you know. And keep your damn brothers in line. You know how they can get." She winks. "And tell Andrew to tell his fiance I said hello?"

I snicker, and roll my eyes. "I will, I've missed Ashton as well. And he left. How do you know that he misses me?"

She smiles. "He kept talking about you yesterday on the phone. He sounded super excited to see you again."