On Every Road

Rules I Live By

"Don't make someone too important in your life." is probably my new motto in life. Why, you may ask? If you let them in too deep, if you let them know all the dark corners of your soul, when it goes to shit where will you be standing? You will be standing alone under the glimmering Christmas lights, heartbroken and ready to slam someone's face on the wall. "I don't love you." is what he told me before stepping out of my life. This is why we build walls to protect ourselves and to protect our secrets. I wasn't this much of a pessimist, in fact, I was way too much of an optimist about this concept of loving someone. For instance, people marry each other because they love each other and want to spend their entire life waking up every morning beside this person and kissing them, disregarding the morning breath. Sometimes, things that seemed perfect become broken when we shine light upon them.

My parents have been married for 17 years until they split up because my mom thought it was a nice idea to just bounce out of our lives and move in with her high school sweetheart, I guess the feeling is still there but that left my dad heartbroken, watching the woman he loved just go away and move out of his life forever. I knew things were rocky with them before the split, but I didn't know it would turn to shit. Thanks for ruining it for me.

As I stand amongst the other passengers waiting to board the plane bound for Los Angeles, I quickly turn around and wave good bye to my dad and my 14 year old sister, Belle. I will be leaving them to study at Beverly Hills High School for my senior year. I can't deny that I won't miss them, but I felt like I needed this big step in my life to be independent. It was what I wanted for so long, and now it's here. I smile at them and they smile back, and I disappear into the crowd of passengers.

"Good morning, this is your captain speaking. We are bound for Los Angeles International Airport in a few short minutes. The temperature outside is 36 degrees celsius and it is 8:13 in the morning local time. The seat belt sign is on, please stay in your seats. The cabin crew will be doing a quick check. We hope you enjoyed your flight with Qatar Airways, your five-star airline." I jolted awake from my sleep and reclined my seat up. My ass is numb and I stretched real quick to get some blood flowing to the gluteus maximus.

I look out my window and admire Los Angeles from above. This will be home for me now. "Cabin crew, please prepare for landing." The pilot said through the PA and the cabin crew took their seats. I cover my ears to avoid the discomfort of altitude descent and take a deep breath as the plane finally touches down on the runway.

Outside the airport, my uncle was waiting for me with a colorful sign with my name on it. "Hey, uncle Brad. Thanks for picking me up today." I give him a hug and he helps me carry my luggage.

"How was the flight?" As we walk out under the LA sun, his bald head shines under its rays.

"It was tiring. I can't wait to get to the apartment. Where's Blair and Beverly?" They are my cousins.

"At home, they said you can just hang out after you get some sleep."

I yawned, I really did need sleep. The ride to the apartment wasn't long, except for the rush hour traffic that I had to endure. I was loving LA already. My uncle helps me get my bags out and I head up the steps to the concierge.

"Thanks, uncle Brad. I'll probably see you tonight with Blair and Bev." I wave good bye as he speeds down the road.

"Hi, good morning. Welcome to Ohana Residences. Name?" The lady behind the counter, with a tight bun and red lipstick, smiled at me.

"Uhmm.. Diandra Johnson." I smiled back at her as she types on the computer.

"Ahh, yes. A bachelor pad for a Ms. Diandra Johnson." She picks up a key and hands it to me. "Eighth floor, door number H16."