Safe

Chapter 7

It is now Saturday, the day I officially leave to go to Portland. Pierce has packed a small backpack to accompany me to Portland and is outside the house waiting for me. He insisted on coming with me to help me unpack my car once it arrives and bring my creative home décor dreams to life. I never knew his struggle of having an 'arts and crafts' girlfriend, until one day I turned him into a cloud for Halloween. He bickered at me for weeks because there was stuff in places he couldn't reach. Needless to say, I found it so amusing that I vow to ALWAYS, be that girlfriend.

"Are you ready?" Pierce pulls me out of my thoughts as he looks at me with concern in his eyes.

I can read him like a book, "I'm fine. Let me say goodbye to my parents really quick." Turning back into the house I mindlessly search for my parents. I don't think I'm ready for this.

My parents both work a lot, so I had to make sure I said goodbye to them before leaving. We didn't grow up showing much affection. In fact, saying 'I love you' was hard and weird for us. It still is, but I know they love me in more ways I can count. The sacrifices that they've made for me speaks more volume in love than the words themselves. I love my parents so much. There are days, I tell myself that I'm doing this for them. Making sure I have the best education and the best possible job so that I can help support them when they're older.

As I locate them, I look at them both in the eyes and walk up to give them both hugs. "I will see you guys at Christmas time," I say as my eyes begin to water.

My mom hugs me the longest while my dad pulls away first, "Make sure to be good, okay." They both say in unison. In translation, this is their 'I love you'. I hear these words every day, not as a reminder to be good, but as a reminder that they love me.

Before I can get any more emotional, I step away and head out.

It's time.

--

I should probably get used to flying, I tell myself as Pierce and I walk together to the gate. I've been on more planes this year than any year I've ever lived. As we find our seats, Pierce lets me take the window seat since he knows he'll be getting the window seat on the way home.

Taking off, I look out to see the small buildings disappear before me, moving closer and closer to the clouds. I take Pierce's hand in mine and he knows that I'm starting to get nervous about the move, again. He laces my fingers firmly into his, raising my hand to kiss it softly. Putting me at ease, I send him a grateful look before I doze off into sleep.

Waking up from the 4-hour flight, Pierce grabs our things for us as we make our way to retrieve our rental car. I decided that it would be smart to get one while we are here so that I can get some things from Ikea and Target. I don't think uber drivers would appreciate the fact that we have a huge ass table to take with us.

My mission for today is to buy everything I could possibly need. Pierce knows me well enough to know what I have to get for the apartment. While he was in undergrad, he did live with three other roommates and know full well what to get, I hope.

After a long day of supply shopping, we decided to get dinner to go, so we could eat in the apartment. That way, we can eat and build. Pierce's idea, productivity is key.

--

With my mouth full, I look at Pierce, eyes glued to his phone probably figuring out who he wants to draft for his fantasy league or he's working. Either way, it doesn't bother me that he works or enjoys his times with his friends. I smile at him knowing he's going to go on a rant about an injury that happened or the fact that the Astros are on a losing streak. Regardless, I know my man.