Different, You and Me

Chapter One

"Shut up," I glance back at Bree with excitement. "You're kidding?"

Bree: "Nope. We're going to Australia!!" She squeeze hugs me in excitement.

I giggle as she releases me.

Genie: "Mia," I turn to her, "You have to come with us."

Bree: "Yea. Let's go have an adventure, even if just for the summer."

The thought alone is inviting.

Bree: "I have the beach house all to myself," she claps, "My parents are going on vacation. They have planned to come back to LA afterwards."

Bree, Genie, and I have talked about traveling together for a long time now. A very long time. I'm not as lucky as they are. I've had to turn down their invitations because I haven't had the money for that kind of thing. Traveling doesn't come cheap. They've had the chance to go places, and explore more of the world. I've heard so much about where they've gone and what they've done. It's amazing. I catch myself envying them. But really thinking about it my future is really important. I have to focus, just like my parents tell me. Traveling, its more of a spontaneous sort of thing with my friends. I'm not one to just pack up and go. Although I do admire their attitude and confidence. I could use some of it.

We jokingly talked about going to Australia this summer. We talked about living together after high school. Talked about all the things that could happen, the things that we could do on our own. It was all very exciting. Part of me just wasn't completely serious. I somehow managed to set aside everything we talked about keeping my focus in school. I just didn't see any of it really happening.

Senior year was all about figuring myself out, decide where I want to go from there, what I want to do. I've always been a very structured person, I like planning things out before hand. I keep my everyday on track, I'm not a big fan of unexpected.

Graduated high school, and I'm eighteen now. Being on track all time does kind of make you want to try something a little more naive. Like going to Australia for the summer.

Until now I never really thought about going off on my own.

"We're going to be alone the entire summer?" I'm a bit worried about that.

Bree: "My parents are letting me prove that I can manage to live on my own. If I can prove that, they're letting me have the house." She high fives Genie.

They're both really looking forward to that, I can tell.

Genie: "Don't think about it, Mia. Take a chance, step out of the tracks for once."

I have to think about this.

Bree: "Just say you'll go."

"I um...I've been thinking about college–"

Genie: "Please tell me you haven't applied for classes yet?" She interrupted too quickly.

"I haven't," They both let out a breath of relief.

Jeez. I didn't know thought of my education could be such a buzz kill.

I've thinking about the right school, I refuse to go to just anyone offering me a scholarship. I like having options. It's been a month since graduation, so of course I've had college on my mind.

"Mia, think about it." Genie sits left to me on my bed and Bree on my right.

Here come my options. "Summer," Genie continues, "Waking up and going back to school," lifting one hand flat out in front of her, "or waking up to the sound of the beach just outside the window." She levels both of her hands symbolizing my options. One then going higher than the other.

I'm not sure how I feel about being alone in a huge house in Australia. But thinking about it now...It would be nice for me to be one to tell my own stories. Have my own adventure along with them.

I close my eyes shut, "Okay." I finally say.

Genie: "Okay?" They both stand in sync.

"I guess I could start next semester..." The room's filled with even more excitement in seconds. I'm squished in a sandwich hug.

[Bree and Genie squealing in sync]

I laugh. "If I remember correctly, don't you two have somewhere to be?"

Bree: "Oh, shoot. Genie, your mom's gonna kill me." I laugh again as they rush to put their shoes and jackets on.

Bree: "You won't regret it." She assures at the door.

Genie: "Oh, This is gonna be so much fun!"

Both squealing with excitement again, we hug goodbye.

••••

[Next Morning]

I bring up going to Australia while having breakfast with my parents. Nothing like homemade french toast while optioning to go go somewhere besides college.

After giving as much information as I know, they surprisingly don't push on about me not going. I didn't go on my senior trip so it helps to add this on as a sort of a trade.

I've known Genie and Bree pretty much since we moved here, we're like family. Our parents are close so I'm sure they'll have to talk about some of the things we'll be doing according to Bree's plans.

••••

I impatiently wait in my room for my parents to finish their phone conversation with Bree's parents. I haven't been this impatient since school finals.

••••

I breath in happy relief when my parents finally agree with everything. In the condition I check in with them via Skype at least two times a week. I'm even more glad to hear that they'll be sending me money now and then knowing that I really only have saved for about a few weeks. I'll have to think about finding a job if I want to stay the entire summer.

It's all very exciting. Insanely exciting.

I have no idea how the weather is over there right now, though I hear it can get chilly at night sometimes. I'll have to search that up just so I know what to wear.