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Chapter I - Movement

-chapter I-

"I always thought I'd be here forever." I lied on a towel on the beach. Playing with the sand with my hands while thinking about the last few years. What did I do these past years to make time go by so quickly? I won that photography contest at an art gallery. I got straight As that one time. I made the soccer team. I was a main dancer for our group performance. I medaled at a cross country meet. It was only fifth, but I was still proud.

I turned to my side, using my hand as a pillow. I stared at the waves. I'll miss you. I smelled the salty air. I'll miss you. I closed my eyes and these images came into my mind. Sunny mornings, I'll miss you. Warm nights, I'll miss you. *beep beep*. My dad was in the car, filled with my luggage.

Yup. I am moving away from here, but not with my dad. I was moving in with my mom and my brother. My dad has been extremely busy with work and thought it would be better for me to live with my mom and brother while he got his project done.

He's a video game producer you see, and with this new high anticipated game underway, he has had no free time.

I had very mixed feelings about moving. I really love my dad. We are really close regardless of his busy schedule. It's going to be hard not being able to see him every morning and every night. Also, I'm going to be leaving sunny, warm San Diego for colder Colorado. Of course I'm a bit excited to be living with my brother and my mom again, but being apart for so long... can things ever be the same for us? I knew that I had changed. Of course they had, too. My brother. Was he still that charismatic, outgoing guy I knew? I never even knew my mother all that well. I was never really clung to my mother as a child.

*beepbeep* I finally stood up, picking up and rolling the towel right after. I brushed off the sand from my legs as I walked towards the car. I hesitantly opened the car door and climbed in. There was silence for a while. My dad took a deep breath as he placed his hands in the wheel. "Dad?" My soft voice nearly cracked. Without a word, he turned the key and we headed towards the airport.

It was a long ride. Apparently, not a lot of planes went to Colorado from San Diego, so we had to travel to another city's airport. What city? I can't recall. By the time we exited the freeway, I was too tired too care.

"Hey, kiddo." My dad broke the silence. "Yeah?" was my only reply.

"When you get to Colorado, try not to give your mom a hard time."

"Pft. Me? Give anyone a hard time? Hah." I said sarcastically. I knew I could be a handful. I think I got it from my dad.

"Hey, I mean it. You know, you're not the easiest person to keep an eye on... or to get along with."

"Hey! I got along with tons of people from school." Yeah, I actually did. I loved the people at my school. Even though I wasn't the most social person in the world.

"'...people from school' not so well with relatives. Remember last Thanksgiving? I'm sure Tessa still does. She has the scar to prove it."

"Alright. Alright, I get it. 'play nice'. And by the way, Tessa deserved it. Why must we be related to such aggravating people?"

"Watch it now. It's not like you're a joy to be related to either."

We finally approached the airport. "...and hey. One more thing," my dad started as he finally found a parking spot. He killed the ignition and we sat in the car, waiting for him to finish his thought. "...your brother. Don't expect him to be the same. A lot has happened. Whatever he says, just try to get along like you used to." He opened his door and opened the trunk. I sat there for a second, pondering over what he just said. Could the changes be more drastic than she had thought?

I followed my dad and got one of my suitcases and rolled it along into the entrance. Of course, it was hectic. People running, strolling, sitting, standing. You name it. However, I paid no attention to it all. I mindlessly just followed my dad. What kind of change was awaiting? How different was my brother now? What about my mom?

Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the gate. I was about to board to plane. I looked back at my dad. He had a tear in his eye. That's when I knew it was real. My dad never cried. Only when he deemed it necessary. I ran into his arms. I knew that this would be the last hug I'd get from him for a while. I felt the tears roll down now. Slow at first, then it gradually gained speed. My dad's arms squeezed me tighter.

"Make sure not to over exert yourself." he said softly. "Okay" I replied.

"and if you play soccer again, make sure to rest every twenty minutes and to drink water" he pulled away and looked me in my eyes. I saw his tears, and it made me careless about my own. "Okay"

"same goes for if you do cross country," he stroked hair away from my face. "Okay". He turned me around and walked me to the gate.

"Whenever you want, just give me a call."

"Okay." He handed me my carry on luggage.

"...and whatever you do, stay true to yourself."

I walked through the gate and gave my ticket to the flight attendant. I climbed on board. I put my luggage in the compartment above and took my seat. I looked out my window. "Always, dad." Now, I was fighting back tears.

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I spent most of my time on the plane listening to my iPod. Other than that, I dazed off in my seat most of the time. By the time my plane had landed in Colorado, I was disoriented and even more tired.

As soon as I stepped out of the plane, I could feel the difference. It was the end of July, and the sun was not beating down on me. Rather, clouds scattered the sky with a light breeze blowing the hair out of my face. The more I walked, the more I felt less at ease. Then, I finally took a step onto the black cement. Yeah, I wasn't in California anymore, and I wasn't going to be back anytime soon.

I entered the airport, and honestly, I was completely lost. So much commotion. I didn't even know how exactly my mom looked like anymore. Did she still have that long black hair? That gentle gaze? Her inviting smile? Would she recognize me?

I had changed a lot. I no longer had black hair. I had rosy brown hair now. I wore blue contacts, too. One reason being that I was partially blind, the other was because I had always loved blue eyes. My dad always picked on me for not getting clear contacts. Then I would tease him on his crooked toe.

I shook the thought out of my head. "You're not in California anymore." I had to keep reminding myself. Thinking about dad would just make me miss him more.

I kept walking, and walking, and walking. However, I could see no sign of anyone who could be my mother. I decided to give up. I sat on the nearest bench, and hoped for the best. I reached for my iPod. "꺼져 줄게 잘 살아 (I'll Back Off so You Can Live Better)" by G.Na was playing. I sighed. How long was I going to be here?

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked back and pulled the earbud out of my ear. I stared at the woman that tapped my shoulder. I was shocked. "M-mom?" I said with hesitation.

"Ailee? Is that really you?" I looked at this woman. I gazed at her long black hair, her delicate brown eyes, and her fair skin. Wow, this woman was my mother.