Meant To Be

1. Something New

I open my eyes to see people collecting their baggage and realize we had landed. Still feeling groggy, I picked myself up, grabbed my suitcases and lazily waddled off of the plane, my eyes still half open as I made my way to the bus stop praying there would be an available taxi cab.

This was it. The time had finally come! I was free! I was going to the college of my dreams without having to share a room with my annoying older sister Cassie, or have to suffer through the haunting smells of my younger brother Daniel. Don't get me wrong, I loved my family to bits, but a girl needs her space.

I was finally able to be alone and make my own decisions. In my eyes, this was the dream! Maybe I had no friends and have to start all over again, but that was just details.

I was sure this was the start to a new beginning, a new life.

Maybe this was my breakthrough. My point in life where I wasn't just thought of as the nerdy kid with two to no friends who spends her free time reading books instead of partying like everyone else.

Maybe I would even find the love of my life.

'Yeah right Cecilia, keep dreaming'.

This was my chance to reinvent myself. Having a boyfriend is kinda just a dream that can never be achieved, ever.

I noticed a cab nearing the place I was seated and waved my arms, signalling for him to stop. He pulled over and I quickly collected my things and entered the cab.

"Evening, miss. Where are you headed too?"

"Winters College, please".

"Alright then".

I took out my phone and decided to text my parents and tell them I'd landed safely.

"So is this your first time in Chicago?" The cab driver asked, looking at me through the rear view mirror.

"Yeah." I replied blandly, not looking up from my phone.

"Well, I've lived here all my life and was born here, so I think you can take my word for it that its pretty great." He chuckled.

I looked up. "I guess." I said, shrugging.

I wasn't trying to be rude or anything, but I just didn't like small talk. It made me uncomfortable.

My dad would never let me forget that.

I rummaged through my backpack for my earphones and put them in, trying to make it obvious to the driver guy that I wasn't interested in any kind of conversation. I played my Khalid playlist and sang along quietly to the first song.

We came to a slow stop and I looked around.

"Okay, we're here. Good luck kid, and remember its a cruel world out there."

"Uhh... thanks?" I replied awkwardly, collecting my suitcases, the tiny bag where I kept all my valuables, and my carry on backpack and exited the cab.

After I had paid him and thanked him, I walked on lugging my bags and looked up.

I stared in awe at the college I had been wanting to go to since I was a little kid and smiled to myself.

This was it.

My new life had just begun.