Paralleled With You

Chapter 2

Pulling up to the departures drop-off point, was scary and intimidating. Only because it's the start of a new chapter of my life, my future is still pending, a continuous cycle of hoping everything works out as planned, just like my dad and me planned. We both have always been career driven. I wanted to start work as young as possible, I even did newspaper rounds at the age of 13 until I was 15 just so I can get a start out. 

Once I turned 16 I got a part time job in retail, understanding the ins and outs of how a business like that is ran. I completed training as a supervisor and had that job throughout my time in sixth form doing it on a part-time basis. However, once my dad passed I gave it up as I went through a dark time. All the plans we once discussed vanished from my mind. All I saw was darkness and it wasn't until I met my then boyfriend, Joe, who helped me get out of that place and helped me find my desires for my own business in architecture that myself and my father first planned, which made me more determined than ever. Me and Joe aren't together any more as University was dividing us, and we decided that being friends was more important and I still class him as one of my best friends.

Standing outside of the entrance to departures, I looked back at the mother who is standing there with my aunt Jessie, my Nanna Paula and papa William. I smiled at them all and ran towards them, throwing my hands around them for a group hug.

"I'm going to miss you all." I said, pushing away the tears that dared to appear.

"Darling, we are going to miss you so much!" Said my Nanna.

"You know we are a phone call away." My aunt chipped in, smiling.

"I prefer letters! I don't get any of this technology business." My grandad replied.

I laughed at this. So many times I'd try to teach him the new technology our world has, it's just no use, he couldn't get the hang of it. So unless I facetime Nanna, letters are usually our best use of communication. I've sent him many letters to let him know how I've been whenever I've been away from home longer than a week. I remember going to Australia with my parents for a few weeks when I was 14 and I sent a letter after the first week and he'd only received it when we got back.

"Have a safe flight and let us know when you land, Bon!" My aunt said. Giving me a tight hug.

"I will do." I smiled, giving her arm a gentle squeeze.

My Nanna and papa hugged me next. It seemed like forever I was in there embrace, and I didn't want to let go. "You will be fine sweetheart. Don't worry about your mother, we will be with her." She whispered in my ear. Pulling away from me, she smiled at me, wiping the stray tear from my cheek that decided to show.

Everyone all turned away back to the car, leaving just myself of my mother. We smiled at each other before saying anything.

"I don't think I can stop saying how proud I am of you. I love you so much bear." My mother started. Tears welling her eyes.

Bear. She hasn't called me that since before my father passed. It sends me over the edge and I fall into her arms and cry. I don't know why I am crying, but all the emotions just hit me. The thought of not having my mum to be there in person to talk to is going to be hard. Despite what has happened, I knew she would be the person I could go downstairs to and just sit with, even in the silence I knew she'd be listening.

"I love you mum. I will text you when I land and tell you everything once I get to campus." I replied.

"Okay, don't stress yourself. Let yourself settle in and then call me." She pulled me into a hug. "If you come into any trouble, just call me. We have enough now that you don't need to panic about money."

"I know mum." I said hesitantly. I don't like taking money from her, neither my father when he was here. I just wanted to earn my own money and use that.

She smiled at me. "Okay, you best get going before check-in closes and you miss that flight!"

I nod, giving the last goodbye. Moving off into the terminal. Before turning the corner and look back at my family. My aunt hugging my mother in comfort. She looks at me and mouths words to me.

Don't worry, I'll look after her. She mouthed towards me. I nodded my head before waving at them. I head to the lift with my suitcase and carry on.

~

It is my turn for check in. I head over to the lady who was smiling at me. I smiled back politely and handed her my passport and said where I was going.

"Toronto, huh?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'm going there for an university opportunity." I replied.

"That sounds fun!" She said typing in my details. "My daughter is applying for universities. She's stressing out about it bless her."

"Aw, what universities?" I asked.

"She's wanting to apply for Oxford." She beamed. Proudly. And so she should be.

"That's amazing! The best of luck to her."

"What are you studying?" She asked.

"Architecture."

"Aw amazing, I've always been interested in that subject myself, but here I am as a check-in assistant. Could you place your hold luggage onto the scale please."

I place my bag onto the scales and my bag is 17kg, I only have 6kg left. Definitely need to be careful coming back.

"Would you like an upgraded service?"

"Uh, I don't really have the money for that. " I laughed nervously.

"Oh don't worry, I was asking for free!"

"Really? Then of course." I smiled.

"Okay, great. I have upgraded you to business class, you can use the business lounge if you wish to, that is on the 2nd floor once you go through security and duty free." She said, putting a label on my suitcase.

"That's amazing. Thank you so much." I beamed.

"You're welcome, you radiate warmth and kindness, so I thought I'd return the favour and do this." She smiled. "Here is your passport and boarding pass. Security is just straight through, there should be members of staff to help you if you get lost."

"Okay, thank you. Have a lovely day..." I looked at her name badge. "Marissa."

"No worries, Miss Bonnie Hampton. Have a safe flight." She smiled, waving me off.

What a kind lady, people like that really restore my faith in humanity. I just got a free upgrade for absolutely nothing. And I'm kind of loving that.

Once I get through security, I hit up duty free, the food shall I say. I stock up on some food for the flight just in case I get peckish. I head up to the business lounge where I take a seat at the window tables, so I can watch the planes take-off and land. I order some food off of the menu, deciding on risotto and a glass of rosé, I sit back and relaxed before my flight.