Paralleled With You

Chapter 1

Today is the day. The day where I say goodbye to my family for 5 months. I'm currently in my third year at the university, studying Architecture, and as part of my course I need to do placements or time abroad. In year 2 I already completed my placement where I was stuck in an office for 5 months. But that has made waiting for third year worth it, because I now get to spend 5 months in Canada, living with someone I don't know. Which kind of reminds me of first year, and that gets me excited. As long as I don't get a bad roommate. 

This programme I researched since starting university - I've always wanted to study abroad and Canada caught my eye instantly. The campus I will be staying on is a small town just for students, it was a town just built for them and includes everything they might need. I have been infatuated with this opportunity, the chance to explore a new country and meet people from all across the world.

When I told my mum I applied for this and the amount of months I would be away for, she was upset. She even tried persuading me to not go, I felt really bad I did, but this is for me. I think she struggles with alone, ever since my Dad passed away a few years ago she doesn't cope with being alone that well. After I explained my reasoning for why I wanted to go and opportunities it would open up for me she became more open to the idea. She definitely isn't 100% with the idea, however, she knows it will make me a lot happier. She told me she has gotten her sister to come stay with her for the majority of the time I'm away. I'm an only child, so it becomes a problem when I decide to go away. I just know me being away will be the change and making of her. I just really hope she copes.

I've been packing for Canada for almost a week, trying to decide what clothing I should be taking, it's currently the 30th of March, and I fly out tomorrow evening, landing in Toronto on the 1st of April, the weather this time of year averages at 10 degrees. So it's going to be cold for the next month before temperatures start to rise in May. I decided to pack all of my summer clothes, seeing as I will be out there for all of summer. I also packed warm clothes as well for the first month, so I don't look insane wearing crop tops in 12 degrees weather. If I do need anything I can easily buy it out there.

As I was packing in my room I heard the squeak of my door, I turned around to see my mother lovingly look at me. When my eyes met hers, she smiled down at me before moving towards me, taking a seat next to me. She continued in silence, grabbing all of the clothes I packed in my suitcase. I rolled my eyes at her, she doesn't like my packing. Every time, without fail she will always repack my bags as she deems it not packed properly, that I haven't utilised the space.

"Okay. This time the packing wasn't actually bad." I said looking at my mother.

"I know sweetie, but I just want to repack it for you. I want to do as much for you before you go tomorrow." She smiled, with a glimpse of sadness in her eyes.

I looked at her in worry and compassion. I sometimes feel bad that I am leaving her, I don't know what the next 5 months will hold for her. I know I shouldn't be worrying about her constantly, but it's hard not to as whenever I look at her I just see a broken women. My Dad suddenly passed. We all said our daily goodbyes to each other, the usual 'I'll see you later bear', bear the nickname my father always called me.

 The cringed filled moment as my parents displayed their PDA, that I was always rolling my eyes at, as they said their goodbyes to one another, and my mother went off to work – she was a teacher, an incredible teacher. My Dad went off to his business firm, he was CEO of one of the biggest modern day electric cars, a world changing invention that saw the rise in the amount of people driving these cars. All to help the environment. He was an incredible person, he just cared about people and the future of his grandchildren. He wanted a safe world for them to grow up in, fighting for climate change has always been his passion. 

On the other hand, I was studying for my A-levels – I had a business exam that day and I just remember finishing that exam, really pleased with how it went. We were left waiting longer than we should've, people were starting to get distracted and itching to get out of the hall. I remember the door to the hall opened, it sounded a lot louder than it normally did, so I turned around to notice my head teacher had entered the room, with police officers waiting outside of the hall. I turned myself around to face the front, because, in that moment you never would think you would be pulled out of the hall. I remember my head teacher, put her hand onto my shoulder, I looked up at her, confused in the moment. She gave me a sincere nod towards the door, but the sadness that beamed from her face, told me something wasn't right. I felt everybody's eye on me as I got up from my chair and headed towards the back of hall and out into the hallway. I looked confused at my head teacher and my business teacher, Mrs Stuart, who'd looked like she just seen a ghost. The police officers greeted me and asked my head if we could go somewhere more private. I was escorted to an office in the sixth form centre, where I sat down and prepared for what I was to be told. In the moment, I was confused – why had I been called out first, did I get framed for something... everything was just going through my head in that moment until what the officer said shook me from my thoughts.

My Dad has been involved in an accident on his way to work, a lorry driver who had been 3 times over the limit was driving recklessly along the motorway. There was traffic queuing ahead of the driver and he didn't break in time, and collided with the car in front of him, which caused a massive chain reaction. Eight cars had been involved. There had been 5 fatalities and 7 people injured. My Dad didn't stand a chance, during my grief, I was angry and googled into the accident, finding pictures online I really wish I hadn't seen. The first 2 cars had been unrecognisable. 

What was meant to be the best day of my life, achieving greatness in my business exam, turned out to be the worst day of my life. A day in which I won't ever forget. I remember going to the hospital, and finding my mum in a terrible state. My nan had been trying to control her own emotions, as she had just lost her son, but also trying to console my mother who had just lost her soul mate. It was heart breaking.

My mother before the accident, was a completely different person to which you know today. She was loving, full of life. She never regretted a thing, or held any sort of grudges towards any one, she said life was way too short for that. Now she just sits inside all day, she used to love gardening and she let her work all go to waste because of her grief, it was like her life had just been sucked out of her. As if losing my dad was as if he took part of her with him. It was hard dealing with the loss of my dad but also losing a part of my mother that I adored so much. I just wanted the old her back and I now know that won't happen any time soon. 

It will be coming up to 3 years since the accident in May and I hope me not being home, my mother will be okay. Even though she hadn't left her room for 2 days when the anniversaries come around and I wouldn't see her, knowing that I was there soothed her. I know it did.

"You are going to be okay, aren't you?" I asked her, looking down into my lap.

I felt her hand on my cheek, smoothing over my olive toned skin. Brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Honey, I'm a lot better than before. But in time I will get there, I will be fine." She lifted my chin so my eyes could meet hers. "I want you to explore, find the joy in life. I wish you didn't have to deal with stuff you've had to deal with, but life always throws us obstacles, and this is ours. We will get better and this is your chance. I want you to embrace it. Even if I don't really want to be without you." I laugh at this. "You've made me so proud of you, you really have no idea. Your father would be so proud of you, Bonnie." She smiled, tears welling up her eyes.

"I love you Mum." I said wiping my eyes.

She pulled me into her arms and we just sat in silence, with the odd sniffles coming from both of us.

This is the new start for both of us.

~~

FIRST CHAPTER! Just the background of our main character Bonnie Hampton! 

There is mistakes in this I know, but i'm rly happy with how this turned out. Let me know what you think!