Hilton High

Leaving Home

I was not surprised when the letter came in.

Not because I was overconfident or anything. I had put two years of my sweat into it and knew  it in my mind that whatever it brought, it brought.

I knew for a fact that I was blessed with brains, so when the letter of admission was mailed, I was not surprised. Just elated. Although, at some point, I did have my doubts on the standards the school required for scholarships. Other than that, I knew I did my best, and I just waited for the result.

And the day it came in, I was overjoyed. I jumped and skipped and twirled around with my mother and my twin younger siblings in the living room.

We had been watching late night soaps, our family ritual since I was seven, when we received a call of confirmation of our mail address. My mother and I just shared wide eyed looks and didn't think anything of it. I was filled with jitters throughout that night as I thought of all the possibilities that simple letter could bring. I knew I had done my part. I just had to wait to see the result.

The next day being a Saturday, after a hefty but delicious breakfast, my mom got a package from the mail man. I was upstairs almost asleep as one of the twins gave me a mediocre massage that I still found myself moaning from, while the other caressed my hair. Mom burst into the room giving us the shocking and relieving news.

My tumbled self on the floor was speechless for some seconds before we progressed to the living room for some time of jollification. And by some time, I mean all day.

We had all wanted this scholarship for me ever since Mom's cafe started dropping in sales after Dad's passing. Money became a problem. We had to move out from our home as we could no longer afford the mortgage. Even the shop had to be temporarily closed down until we found another shop we could afford to pay rent. Thankfully, we found one not more than a kilometer from our present house. So I juggled my home life with assisting Mom in the cafe because she could only afford a single worker.

Ollie. He was a nice and understanding guy; nineteen and in college. I would never understand why he took up this low paying job out of all jobs. I was grateful nonetheless. After working with him for almost a year, I could boldly say he was like a brother to me. He was the only shoulder I could cry on when I couldn't turn to my mom. He gave me advices, ranging from life to my academics.

Presently, my mother, Faye and Freddy and I were sobbing uncontrollably as I hugged them for the last time until three months. I was being picked up by a car to Hilton High which would be my abode for the next few months.

The weather accurately reflected our bittersweet moods — sunny and raining. We were all happy that my dream of getting a scholarship to ease some of the burdens off mom's shoulders was coming true. And also sad and depressed at the fact that we would be separated for a long time, which had not happened before.

My family and I always did things together even before dad's passing. Neither I or any of my family member had ever been away from each other for the span of a month, not to talk of three.

When dad was working in a company, he only had to leave for a few days trip with his boss. Mom never had a reason to leave us; her business was just a few miles away. The twins were just six years old. Even if they were to stay with a relative, usually Uncle Gerald, it would be for three weeks maximum.

So this was a big deal.

"Tyler bear?" Mom sobbed.

"Yea mom?" I sniffed in the snot protruding from my nose. It was very unlike me to be crying. But in this case, it was called for.

"Promise me you'll take care of yourself over there. Okay?" She smoothed off the damp hair stuck to my forehead.

I nodded as I took in my replica.

"And make sure you don't skip breakfast."

I swallowed a loud wail threatening to burst through my mouth.

"I want you to always stand for what is right. Don't fall by the way. Stay strong, and never take to heart what people might think about you." She said and I whispered the last part in sync with her. These words were now like a song I knew by heart.

She had always been my strength. I wondered how she expected me to stay strong without her and Ollie, and Freddy and Faye. But if she had such confidence in me, I needed to be confident in myself too.

"Time is ticking, Mrs Fletcher. We need to be on our way." The chauffer announced.

She fixed him with a glower. "You will give us two minutes young man."

He meekly nodded his head and stepped aside to give us more time.

I laughed amidst my tears at her antics. Safe to say that I took after her.

I looked down at Faye and Freddy nuzzling at the hem of my dress. They probably got it all covered in snot but I didn't give a dang. Their cries were tearing at my heart.

"Mummy, can't she stay with us for another day before she leaves?" Faye asked adorably, with tears running down her face.

"No baby, you know we had to cancel yesterday. She has to go today." Mom cooed assuredly.

"But I'm going to miss her so much." Freddy's lips wobbled. All they knew was that their big sister was going away and wouldn't be back for a long time.

"And I'm going to miss you guys so much too." I couldn't help bursting into another round of tears, as I gathered my little family close for the umpteenth time.

It was a Saturday. Above us, the thunder rumbled, signalling an upcoming heavy rain. But the sun still peeked from the clouds. By now, we were drenched to the core, but what was a cold compared to the long distance that would separate me and my family?

All of a sudden I didn't feel like going again. The panic came in like a tidal wave no matter how much I tried to suppress it. It was like it really finally sunk in that I was moving tens of miles away from my mom and siblings.

I cleaved to my little rays of sunlight as the chauffer who had already alighted the car impatiently honked.

I hesitantly untied myself from them as I hiccupped. "Don't worry, I'll be back in a jiffy." I tried to sound cheerful for the sake of my younger ones but failed.

"Promise?" They asked with wide eyes.

"Promise."

I walked slowly to the car, afraid that if I looked back, I might forgo this whole scholarship. And that would be a very stupid and selfish thing to do since this was what my whole family wanted since forever.

As my hand hovered on the car handle, I hollered to them. "Make sure you guys take care of sprinkles." I said, referring to our adorable dog who was in the veterinary hospital. "And make sure you naughty little guys don't get into any trouble."

"Yeah, we won't paint Mr Keri's bike." Faye responded and I mock grimaced.

"You weren't supposed to tell her." Freddy not so subtly whispered.

"Oops,"

"I guess you guys just got busted. There won't be any mischief coming from these two." Mom gestured with her thumb to them. "Especially since I'll be keeping an extra eye on them." She gave them a reprimanding look which turned into a smile.

I chuckled. "Well then see you around." I waved before getting into the plush car. It smelled of air freshener and leather and books. Just my taste.

I didn't stop waving; not even when the tear filled faces of my family vanished from the rearview. And my own tears did not stop too.

A/N:

Phew! That one was hard. Did it make you at least feel something? Don't hesitate to let me know.
Second book, so excited!