The cool German breeze lifted the curtain in a gentle wave, the birds outside beginning to wake as the sun peered over the horizon. A boy was dashing around the room, his hair shaggy and ruffled, obviously in a hurry. A wide grin laced his face, as he scrambled around his room, packing small belongings into a tiny satchel.
"Daniel! Hurry!" A rough female voice echoed through the house, thick with tiredness. This only widened Dan's grin, almost shivering with excitement as he closed his suitcase viciously. Glancing at his clock, which read 4:30am, his eyes led to an Australian flag suspended over his bed, limp in the still air. At this sight alone, Dan nearly squealed in excitement.
~
After many tears and goodbyes from grandparents, relatives and friends, Dan's mother and father pulled him into a tight hug. The airport bustled around this small scene of simultaneous heartbreak and excitement.
"You have fun. Stay safe, and treasure this experience for every single second. Keep in contact, eat well for the flight, and stay away from those Australian animals! Sound dangerous!" Dan's father spoke, his voice cracking as he squeezes his son tightly. A few tears left the corner of Dan's tired eyes, final homesickness kicking in.
"I will Dad, I promise." Dan's body shuddered under a sob, before drawing away from the hug. His father shook his hand, before turning away to allow Dan's mother to envelop him in an embrace.
"These next twelve months will be the longest of my life, love. You enjoy yourself for me, my sweet." Tears gushing from her eyes.
"I promise Mum, I swear. I'll miss you."
~
After walking into the departure lounge, Dan broke down. Sure, this was his dream, but simply jumping across the world alone frightened him. It was terrifying. What if no one liked him? What if his English was shocking? What if he got lost? All the anxious thoughts that bounced around his mind sent him into a wave of sobs and heaves. Glancing up at the screen above his head, he noticed the flashing beacon that resembled a shotgun at the beginning of an Olympic race.
"Flight 462-HT - Sydney - NOW BOARDING"
YOU ARE READING
So Far Away
RomanceDan is just a boy from Germany, who's dream was to visit Australia. After being given the opportunity to do so on an exchange program, he meets Phil, a shy, insecure boy who doesn't have any strong relationships with anyone else. Dan and his new Aus...
