How To Love ✓

3.

Amara

"Monkey!" I heared my mum's voice soar through the atmosphere from her position in the kitchen. My eyes parted slowly as they tried adjusting to the bright light illuminating through the window.

"Amara Jordyn Belle!" she brayed again, this time her voice cracked, making me go into a silent fit of laughter under the duvet.

"I'm awake! Don't go straining your voice!" I brayed back, throwing the duvet off of me. Once I got out of bed, I attached my oxygen tank on the little trolly I pushed around and tidied my room. After neatly making up the bed and making sure everything I needed was packed away into the four suitcases, the knot in my stomach tightened as I carefully discard my clothes and take a deep pull of air before draping the oxygen hose safely over the shower door.

Getting in, I opened the tap and allowed the lukewarm water to cascade down my body. I spent the last few days fantasising about college, not because of the desperate need to get away from myself but because I was unsure of the Office of Administration receiving my well written application.

The day I received my acceptance letter I beamed with glory. My mum cried; Cotton also shed a few tears. Luke cried for what seemed like five whole days.

Crazy right?

Letting the water ease my tensed muscles, I cleansed myself throughout, including washing my jungle of a hair and sighed at the successful outcome. Wrapping one of my fluffy towels around me, I tote the can into my room and quickly moisturised my body.

Putting on my undergarments, I waltz over to my small closet, decided on a maxi dress and a pair of cream sandals and finished getting ready. Upon finishing with the last step being styling my hair, I smiled at my new look and trotted into the kitchen, dragging my oxygen tank behind me. 

Luke and Cotton sit at the dining table, stuffing their faces with mom's famous blueberry chocolate chip pancakes, topping them off with homemade strawberry syrup, chicken sausages on the side and tall glasses of apple juice.

"Hey uni girl," they greet in unison making mum scold them for speaking with their mouths full.

"Were you guys practicing or something?" I asked suspiciously. I take my place next to Luke and he instantly passes me a glass to fill orange juice in. My mum came over and places my breakfast in front of me. My mouth watered at the sight. I was about to pick up the fork when I heard the clearing of someone's throat.

I looked up through my eyelashes. "Say grace before you eat. Don't forget your manners," mother said sternly. After I thanked God Almighty for blessing me with this meal and for the nourishment I'm about to receive, I hungrily dug in.

"I bet you're going to miss mornings like these huh," mum commented whilst busily cutting up her pancakes into small pieces neatly.

"Don't remind me," I said, stuffing my face with the delicious pancakes. A moan accidentally escaped my lips as soon as the strawberry syrup came in contact with my taste buds. "You better pack a bottle of this for me to carry mom."

"I hope you didn't forget to pack anything Mars," Luke chimed in.

I stopped to think for a moment. "The only thing I'm leaving behind is you guys," I pouted.

"Amara Jordyn Belle do not start. Cotton is on the verge of crying," Luke piped, making Cotton roll his eyes. "You know you're the baby out of the both of us."

As we all cleared our plates, mum helped me to the car while Cotton and Luke went to grab my bags. "I'll settle for the back mum," I told her, a bit out of breath.

She shook her head. "No no. I could recline the passenger seat in the front for you to lay down and catch your breath. Come on." Helping me inside, she placed the can between my legs and buckles me in tightly.

Bending over under the seat, she ran her finger across the underneath and I hear the lever click, making me lean back a bit. The butterflies danced in my stomach.

Once everything was in the trunk of the car, Luke went back to lock up the house. I have no idea what this new adventure was going to have in store for my journey, but I was prepared for all that it will bring.

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