Take Me On An Adventure

One-In The Beginning

I've always been pretty independent. If there was no shoulder to cry on, then that wasn't too big a deal, I could easily cry on my own.

I'm what you would call an outcast. The other kids my age often take one look at me and decide that I'm not what they want. Well that's fine. I can handle lonely days, thats something I'm used to by now.

My parents are usually on buisness trips. They are photographers and their work's focus is primarily nature. You know those beautiful pictures of scenic views in the brochures for nature filled get aways? Wether they're pictures of Views from high mountain peaks, or of pictures in the more tropical regions of the world.

Thats what they do. I admire their work a lot, and I'm happy that this dream of their's turned into such a success, but in the end it keeps them away from me.

If there is an opritunity to leave the state and go on some exotic adventure with their cameras, they take it.

I think I've been on a total of two trips with them, and that is because they were so short notice that nobody was free to take me at the time. Ever since I've been old enough to stay on my own, I have.

This summer they get to travel to Indonesia for the second time. The thing is this summer they decided to send me to stay with my grandmother.

I had brought up the fact that they never stick around, and that maybe I didn't like being so lonely... Big mistake.

To grandmothers it is! They figured this way I wouldn't be alone and somehow this is better than taking their burden of a daughter with them. Thats all I must be to them at this point.

The flight is 16 hours total and it's only been about 2. I really don't know if I'll make it. Boredom is the absolute worst. I finished the book I brought about 30 minutes ago leaving me with my out of service cellphone and earbuds. I put Joji's song yeah right, on repeat for a while and just started to think.

The last time I remember seeing my grandmother, I was about 10. So here I am 6 years later on my way to her house.

I don't even know if she really wants me there. I never exactly got to know her. We did the whole gifts on Christmas thing one year, then she had to leave the day after. My grandfather wasn't feeling good and it turned out to be more serious then just a flu bug.

One thing I do remember is how in love they were. Even in their old age, very passionate. It's an awful thing that he's gone. I could never imagine losing my soulmate.

Perhaps getting to know her will be a fun thing. I'm sure old people have lots of experience and knowledge to share. I hope she's looking forward to seeing me too.

It'd be really cool to have someone who makes me feel less like a burden and more like I belong.

****

Finally after what felt like the longest boredom period ever, the flight comes to an end and the plane unloads.

Walking on real ground feels pretty good. Even though it's a horribly crowded airport. After the following crowd dissapates a bit, I make my way to the escalators that lead to the freedom of the parking lot. My grandmother is supposed to meet me right in front of the doors.

For some reason I'm feeling really nervous about it. What if she is doing this out of obligation because I'm family and what not? That would really hurt, and it would suck because that's a whole 3 and a half months spent with just another person who doesn't want me.

The nerves are kind of getting to me and I can feel my anxiety spread through my body.

I grab a hold of my only luggage and begin down the slow paced moving staircase. As it descends I keep a look out for my grandmother. By the time I reach the bottom I spot her as close to the doors as she could possibly be. She must not be a fan of crowds either.

I slowly make my way towards her and when I'm standing a few feet in front of her she notices me.

My heartbeat quickened for a second as she took in my presence. As I stood there wide eyed waiting for her response, she finally gives me the heart warming smile I needed.

She opened her arms and I unsurly walked into them. "Well hello there Jeanae.. You've grown so much... Quite the young woman." She said in my ear in her calming voice. I nodded my head and we made our way to the car.

I popped my bag in the back seat and sat shotgun. "Are you excited to be visiting the summer with your old bird granny?" She asked while turning onto the highway. "Uh, yeah it's a change, but seems to be a good thing so far." I responded quietly.

She chuckled a bit under her breath and then turned the radio on to some ambient classical piano station.

My surroundings were hard to take in, much different then home. The ride home wasn't very long and soon enough we were in a cute little neighborhood, parked in the driveway of a navy blue house. I got out and retrieved my bag from the backseat then began to follow my grandmother into the house.

I was expecting her to pull out a set of keys and unlock the door but nope. "You don't lock your doors Gram?" I asked and she just laughed in response. "I haven't locked my doors in years, everyone knows everyone around here. Besides, what could an old lady like me have that's worth much anyway?"

We walked through the entryway I just kept following her till she stopped In the middle of a large and cozy room filled with a beautiful decor.

"This is the livingroom Hon, obviously," she pointed down at the furniture and TV, "oh and in here..." She then led me into each room, giving me a proper little tour of the house.

The kitchen was nice, very nice actually. Lots of cupboards, a really big fridge, and a dishwasher. And the dining room was my favorite, that hard wood table was perfect. Plus it had a chandelier, it wasn't big or fancy or anything but the class it gives off was impressive.

The room I will be staying in is one of the two rooms upstairs. It's at first sight a comfortable little room with a slanted ceiling and a nice window to complete it. Its walls are bare and the bedding and window curtains are both a clean white.

"What do you think? Will it do for ya?" Gram asked and I couldn't help but to nod my head immediately. Its honestly just another thing that makes the stay here more appealing. To know that my grandmother seems to be happy to have me here and that I'm going to be well taken care of is a great relief. I guess it really won't be a bad summer at all.

Plus this bedroom is something close to what I've always wanted, a slanted ceiling, seriously? That's so cool.

"I'm glad you find it satisfactory Jeanae. I was... a bit worried that you would find staying a whole summer with me to be a bad experience." She said and gave a sort of nervous smile.

"I think I'm looking forward to it actually Gram." I gave her a big smile and tried to make it clear how serious I am.

The next three months seem to be guaranteed better than what most of my summers turn out to be. For once I can spend it with family. Maybe not all of them but, I'll take what I can get I guess.

"Well Hon, its getting kind of late so I better start some dinner. The bathroom up here is the door right across the hall from your room. Feel free to make yourself absolutely at home and get freshened up if you need."

"Thanks Gram. I'd enjoy that." I said still a little dazed off looking at my room with joy. A shower would be nice right about now. I feel all grimy from sitting in sweat for 16 hours straight. I take my luggage and set it on the bed. I take some comfortable clothes out and make my way to the bathroom she told me about. Its pretty convenient that she has two bathrooms.

**

After a nice clean up, I feel even better. Once I'm back in my room and dressed I decide to just unpack right now and get settled in. There's a small closet and a dresser that will fit what I packed just fine.

As I'm hanging and folding my things, I hear the doorbell followed by multiple voices. I don't know what I'm about to walk into but nonetheless, I slowly make my way downstairs to find out.