Something Like Normal. {Book I} EDITING

Something Like Normal. XXII.

I watched Yuri plane take off.

I was leaning against the giant window, hot tears sliding down my face. I had spent the last half hour crying because he was leaving today. I didn't think it would hurt this much, but it did. The moment they called for his plane, he waited as long as he could but when he had to go it felt like some part of me broke off.

It was going to take him awhile to get to Saint Petersburg so I probably wont get a call from him until late at night or tomorrow morning. I don't know why I was crying, feeling like I was never going to see him again. I hate goodbyes I guess, I was scared back in Rome before Yuri came up with the crazy idea of coming here.

“Jocelyn, we should go.” my mom said behind me and I lifted my head up from the window. Yuri plane was already gone and he really did feel so far away already. I turned and followed my mom out of the airport.

 As we drove home, Yuri offer of me coming to live with him in Saint Petersburg crossed my mind. I brought my finger up to my mouth and chewed on it for a moment. I've been trying to figure out a way to bring it up to my mom. Yuri was frustrated that I hadn't asked before he left, but I was just so nervous.

It was hard for my parents to let me go off to Italy for a year. I'm not the baby of the family, but I’m the only girl with four brothers. Even after I turn eighteen they're going to be so protective of me. I know they can't actually stop me from going, but they'll make me feel guilty. I was so scared of the idea of moving so far away though. My home is here, everything I know is here. Back in Italy was a chance, my dream of going to Italy and I knew I was coming back. Saint Petersburg? Moscow? I don't know since I was so homesick the first weeks until I met Yuri.

“Mom,” I started as I looked over at her.

She smiled, “Yes Jocelyn?”

“I have something to tell you.” I said.

I watched her smile disappear and a concern look appeared on her face, “About? Oh God, don't tell me you're pregnant? Oh no, you are!”

“What?” I questioned, my eyebrows furrowed together. “Of course not, that's crazy.”

She glanced at me and chuckled, “Oh thank God, you're to young to have a baby. I knew those old bats at Church were paranoid.”

“Nice of you to amuse that's what I was going to tell you.” I said. “No, no pregnancies or anything. But it is serious.”

“Okay, then tell me.” she said.

“Well, what if I told you,” I paused, hesitating for a moment. Slowly I spoke, “Yuri thought it would be a cool idea if. . . if I come live with him in Saint Petersburg after graduation.”

My mom pulled the car over on the side of the rode and I knew that wasn't good. She turned to face me with a hard look but she forced a stiff smile, “Russia?”

I gave her a nervous smile, “Yes, Russia.”

“He wants you to fly all the way out to Russia?”

“After graduation.”

“Jocelyn, you're to young to go living in a different country.” she said. “You should just stay home.”

“But mom, doesn't it sound like a fantastic idea? I could go to a different country, different culture. It'll just be like when I went to Italy.” I said.

“That was for school, not a boy.” she said. “I like Yuri, I do. He's a sweet boy but everything is totally different when you're living together.”

“Like?” I asked, arching my eyebrow. “Not every couple need to be married to live together, mom.”

“No sweetheart, not that. It's different, you both need to pay rent and bills. He'll want one thing and you'll want another. You both will become different people and you'll want to come back home. It's hard living on your own, Jocelyn.” she said.