The Vampire's Dream

2: Going on a trip

I woke up to my phone ringing on my bedside table. I had a bad nights sleep last night, I tossed and turned all night, I didn't dream about anything, which is okay in my book, it's better than having my bad dream but I still wish I had gotten to see more of that house. I picked up my phone and saw that it was my mom calling me which was odd, she only calls once a day.

"Mom, is everything okay?"

"Yes honey, everything is great. Listen, your dad and I talked about it and we decided that if you are going to take a leave of absence, you should go somewhere. You need to get out of Texas and away from everything so you can clear your head. We think maybe you should take a little vacation and go to Italy." I was shocked by what my mother had just said.

"This is a dream right, I'm still sleeping?" I said questioningly.

"No honey, your aunt, Tanya, has a vacation house there. I have already called her and she said it will be vacant starting tomorrow. I have already booked your flight to! You will leave tonight and we will meet you back here a week before Christmas!" My mom sounded thrilled by the news she was delivering, how did she even set all this up in one night?! The price of the plane ticket didn't matter to my parents, my dad owned a few businesses all over Texas, plus a few very successful oil rigs here and there, but I still hated when they spent large amounts on me. I would rather have just stayed home during my leave of- wait a minute.

"Mom, I haven't even decided whether or not I was taking a leave of absence or not! Plus I can't just leave, I have to call the school to set up and appointment, then-"

"I have taken care of everything. Your leave of absence lasts one full year. Now unfortunately you can't stay in Tanya's house that long, she only agreed to let you stay for a couple of months."

"Mom! You tried to send me to Italy for a whole year by myself?! How are you okay with this? If I was going to do this, then I was just going to stay at home."

"I know sweetie, but your dad and I think you could use some time away from E- everyone." I know exactly who's name she was about to say. She was about to bring up my ex Ethan. Ethan and I have class together twice a week. When we were together it started off great, he was so sweet, but then he got drunk one night and left a bruise in the shape of his palm across my face. His drinking wasn't anything new, but that was the first time he had laid a hand on me while he was under the influence. I broke things off that night once I was safely in Sarah's car. She has always been there for me. How was I going to tell her I was leaving?

"I know mom. What am I supposed to tell Sarah? Do you know how upset she is going to be when I tell her I am going to a different country without her, specifically Italy?" Sarah and I have always wanted to go to Italy together, we have been saving up for years. Together we have officially saved up to buy round trip plane ticket, no room, nothing extra on the trip, no food, just the plane ticket. We are very bad at saving money, especially when we both live within walking distance of our favorite coffee shop.

"You know how Sarah is sweetie, she will get over it eventually. Just make sure to send her lots of pictures and buy her something nice while you are there. Besides, you will have so much fun! You remember where we put the passports?"

"Yes mom... are you sure about this?"

"Absolutely, I booked so soon the tickets are non-refundable. I don't mind spending the money sweetie but,-"

"I know mom, you just don't want to waste the money." This was mom's excuse for everything. She didn't mind spending the money, but once she bought you something you were going to use it.

"Okay, okay. Now you had better get packing, your flight leaves at four." I checked the time, it was already noon!

"Mom, that's four hours from now, I can't pack everything I need for two months in four hours! I don't know what the weather is like there right now, I don't know how cold it will get in December!"