Break the Distance

Chapter 37

Wednesday 28th of September, 2016

Wellington, New Zealand

Richelle Smith

It's finally 8 am. Believe me or not, but I thought that this morning never was going to come. I didn't sleep a second last night. I jump out of my bed and take a shower. I'm not being able to stop smiling and whistle cheerful. Today is the day. Today is going to be the best day of my life. My plane goes at 11 am. The meet and greet is at 4 pm, and the show starts at 6:30 pm.

I turn the radio on and start curling my hair. I take all the time it needs to make it look perfect, and after that I put on some make-up. Normally I don't really wear much make-up, so I'm not going to do a lot more. Just a little more. When I'm standing for my closet thinking about what I should wear my dad storms into my room. " Richelle!" he says angry, "what are you doing?"

I look at him nervously with a slight smile on my face. "Good morning dad," I say softly. "What are you doing?!" he asks again. "Choosing my outfit?" I say, but it sounds more like a question, then an answer. "Why so early?" he asks.

So I maybe haven't told him I'm going to Auckland today. I knew he would never let me and I'll be back tomorrow anyways, so I didn't saw the need. "Yea," I say, "I'm going to Katie in an hour or so." He slightly nods. I can see he isn't convinced, but I don't really care. "Okay then," he says and leaves my room.

I actually haven't talked to Katie since Sunday. Although I really miss her, I don't need someone right now to ruin my mood. This day is supposed to be the best day ever and it's going to be the best day ever. Nothing is going to stop me.

After I chose an outfit and changed in it I grab my stuff. I'm just taking a little bag with only stuff I really need. Yes, I'm really nervous, but also a lot more than just excited. I look on the clock and see that it has already been 10 am. Why did the time go so quickly all of the sudden? Couldn't the time go any quicker this night.

Still whistling I walk downstairs, but I stop when I see my dad sitting on the couch with his head in his hands. "Dad?" I say confused, "what's up?" "Nothing," my dad says without looking up. I can hear in his voice that he has been crying. "Dad," I say again rushing over to the couch. He still doesn't really move, but after a while I hear him cry. "Dad," I say, "what's going on?"

I hear him take a deep breath and he then looks up. His eyes are red and puffy. "My sister got in a car accident," he says and hides his head in his hands again. My jaw drops and for a second I don't know how to move. After a while I wrap an arm around him. "I'm so sorry dad," I say. "It's okay," he sobs, "she's alive, just in the hospital." "I'm glad to hear," I say feeling a tear roll over my cheek.

This can't be happening. Not today.

"And now?" I ask. "I'm going to the hospital soon," he says, "she has an operation this afternoon and hopefully she'll then be alright." "Okay," I say and stare to the ground.

"Bri," my dad says suddenly after a while of silence, "there's a chance she won't survive." My eyes widen. No no no, not my aunt. My only aunt, I can't lose her.

" Richelle I prefer if you stay home," he says. "Of course," I say without doubting, "I'll just call Katie that I'm not coming." "Okay," he says and stands up, "I'm going upstairs." "Okay," I say. He then nods his head a little and walks upstairs.

The whole conversation was a little weird. It was like we both couldn't find the right words.

Suddenly tears start running down my cheek. Not only because of my aunt. I won't be able to meet Noah.

I can't just run away now to Auckland. What if things go wrong with her? I have to be here for my family. Yes I would make sacrifices, but this is my family. And my family is still a little more important.

I sigh and let my head fall down in my hands. Great.

Welcome to my life. Luck just isn't meant for me.

After some quick thinking I realize that I have to make the best of the bad situation.

I decide to go over to my neighbors right away. Upstairs I grab the plane ticket, meet and greet ticket, the ticket for the show and I grab the envelop out of my diary.

I check one last time if I have everything before I knock on their door, hopefully they're home. "Hi," my neighbor says cheerful when she opens the door. "Hi," I say smiling, "is Mia home?" "Yea," she says, "come in." I follow the woman into the living room where Mia sits on the couch reading a book.

"Hi Mia," I say. "Hi," she says and looks up. "So I've a quick question," I start, "do you maybe know The Next Step." Mia's eyes start to twinkle. "Of course," she says. "Well they're on tour right nog," I say, "and I've a ticket for you to their show and a meet and greet."

Mia jumps up and runs towards me into my arms. "Thankyou thankyou thankyou," she exclaims. "You're welcome," I laugh, "but you've to ask your mom because it is in Auckland." "Please mom," Mia pouts right away.

"Of course," she says and Mia throws her arms in the air. "YES," she says, "thank you soo much."

"But you've to do one thing for me," I say to her before handing her the tickets. "I'll do anything!" Mia says with a smile on her face which doesn't disappear anymore. "I've this envelope," I say and let her see the envelope, "and you've to give it to Noah." Mia looks a little confused at me. "Noah," I add quickly. She then nods understanding, forgot for a second that she's only 8. Whoops.

"Of course," Mia says, "I'll give it to him." "Good," I say and hand her all the tickets. "Have fun," I say. "I will," she says and hugs me one last time.

"Why don't you go?" my neighbor asks when she lets me out. "My aunt got in a car accident and I can't risk going all the way to Auckland," I say and swallow away some tears. "I'm sorry," she says, "hope everything will go well." "I hope so too," I say and smile slightly.

"Mia is clearly really happy with them," she says, "thank you so much." "Glad someone else can go instead of me," I say, "eases a little against the pain." "Never knew you were such a big fan," she says. "Oh no," I say, "I'm not that big of a fan." "It was to finally meet Noah a friend of mine," I add when I see the confused look on her face. "Aha," she says, "well hopefully they'll come back some day." "I hope so," I say and smile slightly.

"Well," I state, "I've to go." "Yea," she says, "thanks again and we'll pray for you aunt." "Thanks," I say and with that I walk back home, tears streaming down over my face again.

My life is officially ruined.