Finding my light

Chapter 15

"Winter." I turn to hear Natalia call out again. "What do you want?" 

"Please I need a hand here. The dishes are too much for me to pack at once." She said struggling with the dishes. "Sure." I say walking towards the table to pack the rest of the dishes. 

When I'm done, I walk to my room. I don't bother to change my clothes. This one's already okay. I just do a light make up and pack my hair into a pony tail. I video call Ash and hopefully, she picks.

"Winter!" She says my name really loud excitedly. God, it's just like a day I haven't heard from her and it already seems like a year. "I missed you so much babe." 

"I missed you more Winter." She said smiling. "Omg what are you wearing?"

"A crop top." I say clueless. "I thought you said he changed your wardrobe."

"Yeah, he did but I luckily found a crop top there. You know how I love crop tops." I said smiling sheepishly. "Lucky you." Ash said smiling. "So has his parents come yet?" 

"Yes, they came yesterday. In the evening." 

"How are they?" She asks adjusting her sitting position. "They're so nice, I love his mom."

"Oh thank goodness. I expected them to be really strict and all..." she said shrugging. "I know right, I expected the same thing too. It's probably because of Josh." 

"Exactly, even though I haven't met him, I can imagine how bad he is." Ash said giving a disgusted look. "yeah. His mom's just the right person to tame him. You should have seen the look n his face when she got angry." I say as Ashley chuckles. 

"Much credit to him. He's mom just came and he's already mad them mad." 

"I know right. It was like a thousand butterflies in my belly when she got mad at him." I say chuckling. "So about college..." 

"Hope they didn't offer to sponsor your college." Ash says not letting me complete my statement. Oh God, I have no option than to just say the truth. "They did." I say swallowing the lump in my throat. 

"What?" She said widening her eyes. That look scares me a lot. "You didn't accept it right?" 

"Um, I don't know." I say shrugging. "You did it, didn't you?" She says but I don't reply. "Of course you did." 

"I-I wasn't ...." I say just be cut off by Ashley. "You weren't sure? I've told you this before Winter, It might seem sweet now but in the end you'll hate what'll happen believe me." 

I know she's told me this before but I can't just turn back and tell them not to worry. It'd be like I'm throwing a huge opportunity away. Even though she's always the right one, I can't just give up on my dreams like that.

"I know but you know it has always been my dreams to go to Yale." 

"Winter, we can save up for that or if that isn't possible, we can just forget about college. At least it's still better than putting your life at risk." 

"I don't know. I-I'll think about it." 

"Better do so fast, there's no enough time and I hope you go for the right decision." She said pushing her dark black medium length hair to the back.

"Okay, I hope so too." I say before letting out a sigh. "So about the rules, has he shown you yet?" 

"Yes, the rules were just two." I say starring at Ash. "Oh my God, I knew it wouldn't be that bad. So what are the rules?" 

"To always do whatever his mom asks me to do and to stick my nose to my own business. Weird right?"

"Totally. What kind of rules are those. Well, since you said his mom was a really nice person I don't think that would be a problem."

"yeah, even the second one isn't much of a big deal. I always mind my own business." 

"Yeah I know." Ash says sarcastically and rolling her eyes. "I do, don't I?" I ask. "I said yes!"

"Whatever. Bye gotta go I'll call you later." 

"Bye." She says as I cut the call. 

I hear a knock on the door. "Who's that?"  

"It's me Winter, Edna." 

"Oh, okay. Come in." I say adjusting my sitting position as she opens the door. "Omg your room is so beautiful." 

"Thanks." I say smiling. "Yeah that's right, tell that to Natalia". My subconscious says. I took my time to arrange it well. I can't just stand Natalia's look and besides I can't afford Kayla coming in here and seeing my room like this. 

"Umm, mom said I should ask if you're ready." 

"Yeah, I am." I say as she gives me a puzzled look. "well, it's okay but don't you want to wear something better like a gown or something." 

"Nah, I feel more comfortable in these. It was part of the clothes in the collection we chose remember?"

"Oh yeah, I remember. But I never knew a crop top was part." She says looking confusedly. "Yeah it was. I was also surprised when I saw it and happy too." I say smiling. "You must really be into crop tops then."

"Of course! it's one of my best outfits." 

"okay, so if you're with it you can come down. We're waiting for you." 

"Sure, I'll be there in a minute." I say as Edna opens the door to leave. 

I take out my little clutch and stuff my phone into it along with five dollars just incase of emergencies, then I walk downstairs to meet everyone watching TV. 

"Winter, you're ready to go now right?" Kayla asks. "Yeah, I guess so." I say starring at all of them. 

***

We arrive at the house after the long drive. It just brought back a lot of memories. Both good and bad. I remembered the last argument I had with mom before I left. The way she looked at me when I said I wasn't ready for all of this. The way all of them looked at me, Gross. Omg, I've only been gone for a few days and it's like I've been gone for years. 

"Winter?"