"Please just let me stay in Missouri mom!" I cried to my mother.
"No love, your grandmother is very ill and needs someone to take care of her, and if you stayed here, you would be all alone and I wouldn't see you for eight months at least!" my mother responded.
I sighed. Fighting my mother was useless. She had just received a job offer in London and wanted to go because my grandma had become very sick. I definitely would love to see her, but she lives in London. I couldn't leave my friends for eight months! And not only that, but I would have to go to a different school and I would be the weird new girl from the U.S.
"Now go and pack your clothes. Your furniture has been loaded and is on the truck. Our plane leaves in three hours, so hurry," she said quickly.
"Fine."
"Oh, and Emily?"
"Yes?" I responded with a sliver of hope.
"I love you."
"Ugh!" I groaned. I'm 18 years old now! Why doesn't she let me make my own decisions! Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if my dad was still around... No. I wouldn't let myself think about that. He passed away ten years ago and everyone is expecting me to move on and get over it. It's just so hard.
I decided it was time I actually goet ready, so I ran upstairs and decided to take a shower. I got in and let the hot water surround my body. In a way, it brought me comfort. I washed my hair with my favorite strawberry scented shampoo and cleaned my body. After a good 45 minutes, I stepped out into a bathroom filled with steam. I grabbed my bathrobe and threw on some faded jeans and a tank top trimmed with lace. Out of lazziness, i let my hair air dry and turn into its natural waves. I looked over myself in the mirror and I was satisfied with my appearance.
Slowly I pack up all my belongings and find an old picture. It's of me and my ex, Derek. We broke things off when I found out that he was cheating on me with my former best friend. I was heartbroken. I honestly thought that he and I were meant to be together, but obviously not.
I took the picture and shredded it. I know now that a real man would never hurt someone he loves.
After I finished packing, I grabbed all of my bags and ran down stairs. I threw them in the back seat of the rental car and climbed into the front seat. About 2 minutes later, my mom walked out with her huge cannon camera (she's a photographer for several modeling companies). As she sat next to me in the drivers seat she snapped some pictures of me.
"Stop it!" I shouted trying hard not to laugh.
"But you look so pretty today!"
"No, I look like crap like always. Now can we please leave? We're going to be late," I snapped. I hated when people called me pretty or beautiful or anything like that. I don't like sympathy.
When we arrived at the airport, my mom hired so people to carry our luggage for us since we had so much. I'm starting to get bored at this point so I glance down at my phone's screen. "New Message" the screens says so I open it.
"hey ik i screwed up but i miss you. Wanna come over 2nite so we can talk things over? :* xx"
Of course, it was Derek. I felt tears burn in my eyes. No. I wouldn't let him do this to me. We are done. I'm over him, and I know he doesn't actually love me. I slid the keyboard out on my phone and typed back:
"sorry to break it to you, but we are never, ever, ever getting back together."
I felt satisfied being able to use lyrics from one of my favorite songs.
Just then, my mom called me over. It was time to board the plane. Time to say goodbye to my home. My friends. My past. Even if it was for only eight months, it would be hard. But I can make it. I'm strong. Maybe this will be a change for the better.
