Off-Course

Chapter two- Moving Day

My alarm goes off what seems like seconds after I finally fall asleep for the night. It's finally move in day, I can't believe this day came so fast, it's six am, my mom wants to leave at 8 because my move in time is at 1 pm. She is always early to everything, and I have learned it is best not to argue with her by this point. Jason is going to drive with me to the school and help us unpack, then he is driving back with my mom.

"Sarafina!!" My mom yells up the stairs to me, I know she's just checking to see if I am up but I still grit my teeth, I won't miss her hovering when I am away at college, ever since my dad left 6 years ago, she's been on top of me non-stop.

"I'm up!" I yell back, finally dragging myself out from under the covers. I look in my dresser mirror, I look just the same as I always have. My curly black hair that reaches my middle back is in a very messy ponytail that I slept in, my face is always just a little too fat to be pretty, my hazel eyes are surrounded in dark lashes, my eyebrows need to be brushed into place and my lips aren't plump enough to be called 'full' but they are a nice pink shade. My nose is the only thing on my face from my mom, and it's my favorite part, it's small and sparkled with freckles.

I pull my hair out of my pony and shake my head at the rat's nest that has been built in it. I grab my towel off the hook on the wall by my door and head across the hall to the bathroom to shower. The last shower in this bathroom for 10 weeks, until I am back for thanksgiving. 72 days, and I will be back here, where I am safe and known.

I take my time in the shower today, letting the water turn cold before I get out. I return to my room with my towel wrapped tightly around my body, I don't need my mom finding my belly button piercing today of all days. After patting my body dry I put my hair in the same towel and begin to get dressed, I decided yesterday to wear a pair of black ripped jeans and a blue baseball tee, with my classic converse. I want to be comfortable but also cute. I hop down the stairs at 7:15 am and greet my mom.

"What are you wearing?" She asks me, her eyes moving up and down my body.

"Clothes." I say, grabbing a muffin off the counter.

"Sarafina, you know that this is your first impression on everyone, you can't show up in that." She complains to me, not even trying to hold back her disgust.

I roll my eyes, before looking up from my muffin, "Well mom, all my other clothes are packed away, so I guess it's this or my underwear." I say, taking a piece of the muffin into my mouth. I hear her suck in a breath before she turns away from me, grabbing a dish rag off the counter.

"You know," She says, turning back around to face me, wringing the towel in her hands, "One day you'll understand why I care so much." She says, her eyes filling with sadness.

"I know mom." I say, walking over to hug her, I know she cares because she thinks if she had been perfect when my dad was still around he wouldn't have left her for a woman half her age with the 'perfect' body.

"Come on, let's get going, you still have to pick up Jason." She says, her voice singing Jason's name, sometimes I wonder if I am only dating Jason because my mom conditioned me to like him growing up. Of course, once I see his smile and he hugs me, I know I would've fallen for him in any life.

Me- Hey, babe, ready to go?

Jay- Hi babs, yes I am ready, r u?

Me- Have been for weeks, I'm leaving now. ILY <3

Jay- C u soon <3

I laugh a little at his disdain for full words while texting. I grab my car keys and purse, doing a quick check in my head that I do indeed have everything I need for school. We packed the cars last night. My mom kisses my cheek and heads out the door, I take one last look at the house I have called home since my parents brought me back from the hospital. I feel tears start to well up in my eyes, and I let a few fall before I pull myself back together. I am ready.