chapter 5
834 Words
I jolted upright in bed when I heard someone scream.
"What the actual hell?!"I muttered sleepily.
"Ha Ha Ha , very funny.Now get your
sleepy butt out of bed and get ready .I'm here for your surprise "
Before i could protest,she pushed me off the bed and shoved me toward the bathroom .
I lazily brushed my teeth and stepped into the shower, letting the warm water wake me up.
Bang .bang. bang .
"Hurry the hell up ! you are slower than a snail!" Lynn yelled , pounding on a door like she was trying to break it down.
"For god sake, let a girl shower in peace!"
I shouted back.
"We don't have all day ! move it !"
Five minutes later ,I stepped out, and she didn't stop nagging until i was fully dressed .
"Now what ?" I asked impatiely.
Instead of answering,she dragged me to the kitchen .Aunt stella was making breakfast, smiling softly at our Chaos . Before i could even sit properly,Lynn shoved a forkful of eggs into my mouth.
"Eat .Fast ."
I finished breakfast in record time.
Then she pulled me into the living room , forced me onto the couch , and tied a blindfold around my eyes.
"Why the blindfold? I can just close my eyes," I complained.
"Nope .I know how sneaky you are."
I rolled my eyes and lifted my middle finger in her directions.
"Manners, Young lady ," Aunt stella's voice come somewhere behind us .
After what felt like forever , i heard something being placed on the table.
"Can I take it off now?" I asked , sounding like a five year -old waiting for a candy.
"Yes"
I immediately pulled the blindfold off.
And froze.
On the table was a T-shirt printed with a picture of me and Lynn, both of us smiling like idiots . Next to it was a handmade greeting card ..... and a photo album.
My vision blurred instantly.
"Awww ,teddy bear , don't you dare to cry ," Lynn warned softly.
But it was too late.
I picked up the album and opened it carefully.
Photos.
So many photos.
Kindergarden.Second grade.School fair.Sleepovers. Random selfies.Ugly faces.Stupid poses.Movement i didn't even remember being captured.
Each memory was arranged perfectly , like pieces of my life glued together.
There was even picture of me,Lynn, and Dylan from second grade - laughing while playing on the swings.
Back then things were simple.
Back when no one cared about how i looked .
Back when I wasn't "the fat girl ".
Tears streamed down my face as i hugged the album tightly.
Lynn hugged me too .She tried to act strong, but she was crying as well.Soon aunt stella joined us , wrapping her arms around both of us.
For a few minutes ,we just stayed like that -crying, laughing , holding on.
The next three days passed in a blur of packing and emotions .Lynn helped me with almost everything.
We were leaving on Friday.
I haven't seen my dad the entire week .Aunt stella told me he come home late and left early . Part of me was relieved .Part of me..... wasn't.
Thursday night, Aunt stella make chilli chicken and noodles.We stayed up talking about everything -childhood memories, stupid crushes, embarassing movement.
By dawn, Lynn was asleep beside me.
I couldn't sleep.
I steeped onto the balcony and stared at the house one last time.
This house used to feel warm when mom was alive .I could still picture her smiling face , her gentle hands fixing my hair, her laughter filling these walls.
After she died , everything turned dark.
cold.
Empty.
I thought about Chicago.
Will I fit in?
Will people like me.
Will they laugh at me.
Will i always be fat girl for them .
Will they understand me.
"Leave the overthinking to me, " my subconscious whispered sarcastically.
"Shut up, " I muttered.
"You are me".
"Exactly why you are annoying ".
I sighed and finally forced myself to sleep.
Morning come too fast.
Lynn was still snoring lightly , looking like a broken Barbie doll .I couldn't help but laugh.
I got ready and went downstairs.I made coffee for both of us since I wasn't hungry.
Soon Lynn stumbled down , her hair sticking in every direction.
"Wow ," i said . "You look fantastic."
"Shut up ," she grumbled , grabbing her coffee.
By 10 A.M ., it was time.
She drove us to airport.
There was no call from my father .No goodbye.
At the airport,Lynn and I had another emotional breakdown.
"I'll visit,"
"You better ," I replied.
Finally,it was time to board.
My anixety grew with every step .Aunt stella squeezed my hand gently.
The flight felt long, but when we landed and stepped outside the airport ,I took a deep breath.
Chicago air feel different.
Cold.
Calm .
New.
"Welcome back, Chicago ," I whispered.
Maybe this is where my life begins.
- Writer
