Sage.
August 1.
Move in day. I was excited, no, exhilarated to be back and away from the life that I am so used to living. I drove by myself in my car, the car my parents had bought me when I graduated from high school. They offered to have someone else drive me and ship my car separately, but I declined. This way I am free, I am in charge, I can and will do things without them.
I walk through the too large lobby with its boring gray furniture and dying plants and head towards the elevator. Before entering my apartment, I think to myself 'I am here. I am no longer a part of who they want me to be'. But I am afraid that I still am, that I will always need them somehow. I put my thoughts aside and unlock the door, taking in the small apartment that I love because it is mine.
All my furniture was shipped earlier this summer. Nice furniture that my parents had bought me. I tried to decline but they kept on insisting that it was a gift, for being halfway through college, and I agreed to make them happy. It was probably hurting them that I was moving for good and wouldn't be coming back for breaks or needing them as much as the previous two years. They wouldn't admit that though, so instead of dealing with real emotion they buy me materialistic things and I accept because that is what I have always done.
I have always been Marcus and Julia Kelly's beautiful daughter. Who stands up straight with a smile on her face, only talking when she is addressed. Who can never be sad because daddy will buy her whatever she needs to be happy. But what if what she needs can't be bought? What if she is tired of being nothing but a showpiece used to complete a perfect and beautiful family?
I check my phone for the time, 4:06 pm. Too much thinking for today; more productivity in something else. I go back down to my car to bring some boxes up. This car is new, newer than all the other ones in the lot, it stands out too much, and I suddenly feel uncomfortable. Someone is near me in the parking lot and I fear they're getting closer.
"Hey, nice car!"
I jump, startled from the sudden voice then quickly turn to face a boy and smile, "thank you".
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. You just don't see a lot of nice cars around here. I'm Ethan by the way," he then extends his arm out towards me.
Ethan. He is around my age and little taller than me with broad shoulders and shaggy blonde hair. I determine he is safe. I reach for his hand and flash another signature Kelly smile, "I'm Sage. It's very nice to meet you". I am used to this, acting friendly and having small talk. I kind of hope he doesn't stay for much small talk.
"Hey that's an awesome name! I don't think I've seen you here before. Are you just moving in? Do you go to the university here?". He talks fast and as if he says everything that he thinks out loud as soon as he thinks of it. I think I like this about him.
"Yes, to both of your questions. I'm just about to bring my stuff in actually, so I should get back to that," I didn't mean to sound like I didn't want to speak to him, even if I kind of didn't. He is nice, but I am also a little busy now.
"Oh gosh sorry! Here let me help you," he reaches into my backseat and grabs two big boxes before I can say anything.
"No, it's okay really," I interject but he is already halfway to the entrance, so I decide it's no use and to just let him help me. I grab two more boxes, lock my car, and follow him. At least this way I won't be taking more than one trip. "Floor 3," I tell him as we enter the elevator.
"Same floor as me. That's sweet dude."
I don't know if he expects me to say anything to that, so I don't I just wait.
When we finally get to the front of my door Ethan gasps. "Is everything okay Ethan?" I ask.
"Everything is awesome! Guess what dude," he looks enthusiastic and I don't know what to think of this.
I give him a puzzling look, "what?"
"Okay," he sets my boxes on the ground and walks to the door across from mine. The door had a sign that read "BRO PAD" on it in sloppy handwriting, "this is my apartment! We're neighbors dude!"
Once again, I don't know what to say to this, but this is not something that I can say nothing about. "That's great!" I assume this is the response that a guy like Ethan would like. I can't really tell yet, but he smiles back at me, so I think I am correct about this assumption.
"You gotta come over sometime. I mean after you settle in of course." He continues as we walk into my apartment and set the boxes in the living room, "I have a roommate too. He's kind of an asshole but he's cool when you get to know him. I think he'd like you too."
I smile a genuine smile at him because I like Ethan and I like his kindness and how he rambles and how he has been enthusiastic about everything so far.
This is my home, and I love it.
