𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 ✾ (𝐣𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐢𝐞)

FOUR !

DIFFERENT !

"DO YOU Have everything packed? everything ready?" michelle questioned for the fifth time.

"yes, michelle," i dragged my voice, my eyes drifting to a pile of full packs of cigarettes on the countertop. how do i get them before we leave, without her seeing?

"all your clothes? toothbrush? toothpaste? hairbrush? phone? phone charger? laptop? laptop charger? makeup and skincare and perfumes?"

"yes, yes, yes, yes, yes," i clicked on my phone, opening snapchat and sending a photo of my face to a random person i had as a streak.

"swimsuit? sleeping pills? deodorant? inhaler? your blanket? your favorite chapstick? what about the one hoodie you always wear?"

"michelle! i have everything," besides the cigarettes.

"just making sure," the stress lines on her forehead faded and her mouth curved into a frown. "i know i've only been here for a year, mackenzie. oh, but i'm going to miss you so bad," she leaned over and squeezed me tight in her arms.

my immediate reaction was to back away, but i figured this was my last chance to ever hug her again. "i'm going to miss you too," i wrapped my arms around her tighter.

"i definitely didn't expect that from you," she wiped a tear from her eye, her face a deep red from crying.

"i didn't expect that from me either," i shrugged.

"we better get going," she started walking towards the door, placing her arm gently on my shoulder.

i looked at the cigarettes. "you know? why don't you get in the van. i'm going to go to the bathroom one last time." she nodded, and we walked opposite ways.

i stayed in the bathroom until she was outside, and waited a couple minutes. then, i walked out of the bathroom, swiped three packs in my backpack, and pulled my suitcases out of the door with me.

🎒

I EXPECTED The plane ride to be way more exciting and a lot less terrifying. i'd never been on one before, and it was even worse that my first time flying was by myself.

in other words, i spent the entire takeoff attached to the cute boy next to me. on the bright side, we hit it off quite well.

"is it your first time flying alone?" he smiled at me, ignoring the pain of my nails stuck in his arm.

"uh, yeah. first time flying at all, actually," my voice shook as i talked, and i blew a piece of hair out of my face.

"don't worry, the ride back is always better."

"unfortunately, i don't think there'll be a ride back for me," i shrugged, looking down at my lap after we were flying smoothly.

his eyes widened. "huh? why?"

"oh, i'm a- i'm an orphan. it sounds kinda dumb, but like.."