1000 Memories

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The day is finally here.God knows I cannot wipe the smile off of my face. I still can't believe that I get to go to move to a new city. Alone.

Never in a million years would I have ever

thought that this would happen. I had already pretty much packed up most of my belongings the previous day so all I have to do is grab my bags and get going. After taking a really quick shower and throwing on my clothes, I stand in the middle of the room staring at the walls. This right here has been my room ever since I was in kindergarten. I literally grew up here.This was always where I came to hole up when I wanted to hide from the world and even though my parents didn’t like me spending all of my time in here, this was my safe haven.

“Man am really going to miss you” I say to the room as all of the memories flash in front of my eyes.

The IPhone ringtone from my phone quickly snaps me out of my trance as it rings on my bedside table. I can almost bet that it’s Maggie before I even pick up.

“Hi Maggie.”

“Are you ready yet? When should I come pick you up from the airport? “She excitedly asks. Maggie seems to be the only other person whose excited about this more than I am.

“Relax, am not even out of the house yet. I still have to take breakfast before I leave but I’ll be

out of here in the next 30 minutes, okay?”

“Fine “she says grumpily before hanging up and with that, I head downstairs where my parents are having their breakfast and Phil is preparing to leave.

“Ah,there she is! “Phil says just as I walk into the room.

“Cindy what took you so long? Am so late to work but I wanted to say goodbye before I leave. I’ll miss you and you better call me everyday. “Phil pulls me into a hug squeezing me so tight that I cant breathe.

“Okay, I’ll call you when I get there.” I convince him before he finally lets go and I jokingly let out a big breathe of air as if I was suffocating. My parents burst into laughter as they stare at us.

Phil grabs his laptop and heads out as I put some cereal and milk in a bowl.

As expected, my mom keeps pondering about whether she’s really on board with this. She goes on and on about what I should and shouldn’t do, how to be safe, places to avoid. “Sweetie you really have to be careful.Dont walk outside at night..” In as much as I understand that she’s just being a mom, this is becoming way too annoying so I slowly drown out her words as I finish up my cereal.

“Are you even listening to me?”

“Yes mom, I’ll be careful.Dont worry yourself too much. I’ll call every day. Now I really have to get going or else I will miss my flight. “In all honesty, I expected her to continue talking non-stop but my dad held her hand and she stopped.

“You know we are really nervous. Our only daughter is moving away but we have to trust that you will take care of yourself. “My dad says.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll go get my bags and you can drive me to the airport.”

When I was planning the trip, I figured out flying there was the better option because it would take me 42 hours on the road if I drove there. The flight is just 9 hours and therefore much faster. Of course I know some people also take the train but that would mean 3 days and I wasn’t about to sit in a train for that long.

My dad helps me pack up my bags in the car as my mother, out of habit, makes me a sandwich to carry in case I get hungry.

“You do know I can get food on the plane,right?”I laugh as she hands me the sandwich.

“I know, it’s the last time I get to do this “she says with teary eyes.

We get into the car and my dad immediately drives off. I take one last look at the house and the neighbourhood knowing very well it’s going to be a really long time before I come back here maybe even a whole year or more.

It’s a quick thirty-minute drive to the airport and as soon as we get there we immediately start unpacking and checking in. There are thousands of people walking by and a lot of things happening. I guess this is how you view the world when you are just from a small town and aren’t used to so much activity.

My flight takes off at 11.00 am and it is only 10.15 am by the time am done checking in. Atleast that gives me time to sit with my parents a little.

Those forty-five minutes pass by really fast and for the first time I start to really feel nervous when there’s a call for the L.A flight.

I hug my parents goodbye promising to call when I get there but am pretty sure my mom will call me throughout the flight. At the tunnel, I turn back to wave goodbye only to see my mom breaking down and I suddenly wish that I could stay but I know I have to go.

This is my first time being on a plane and the flight attendant at the door shows me to my seat. I was definitely lucky enough to get a window seat for a first flight and from there I can see one of the plane’s wings. It’s bigger than I imagined it would be. This whole plane is!

“I cant believe I am flying alone for my first time.” I think to myself. After listening to the instructions in case of an emergency, everybody buckles up and before we know it, the wheels are off the ground.

Here I come L.A!!You better be ready for me.