The Water Lilie's

Fight or Flight

I woke up again kicking and screaming as I grabbed my necklace and yanked it off my neck. My body instantly kicked in to fight mode and my adrenaline was pumping through my veins. Sweat dripped down the side of my forehead, along the side of my left my cheek and onto my collarbone. The hairs on my arm were standing up, and little lumps lined my skin. I can't seem to calm my breathing, it is almost as if my heart had been picked up and dropped a hundred time. 

I take a look at my necklace that is now intertwined into my right hand- It's in the dream every time, but why? The necklace was my grandmothers necklace that she had when she was growing up, she had picked it up at an antique market many years ago when she was in her early teens. When my mom turned 16 it was then handed down to her and then handed down to me on my 16th birthday as well. It's a simple white Water Lilly.  My grandmother loved it so much that day she saw it, she said it felt like it belonged to her because her name is Lillian. She then made my mother's middle name Lillian when she was born, and my mother made my middle name is Lillian as well. 

I shook off the thought of my necklace and placed it back around my neck. Of course, it was nothing more than a family necklace and that is all.

I rolled over and looked at the clock - 5:30 am.

I managed to yank myself out of bed and take a quick shower before changing into a pair of ripped jean shorts with lace flowers at the bottom and a green bohemian, flared out shirt and a pair of black embroidered sandals.

I grabbed my suitcase and my carry on bag and quietly crept my way down the stairs into the living room.

I could hear the stairs creek again as I sat at the kitchen table drinking my coffee.

" Oh god mom, I'm sorry did I wake you?" I asked as I ran to give her a hug.

"Oh no dear, of course not. I just wanted to see you on your way out... You're leaving me for two whole weeks!" She gave me a sympathetic smile and tightened her arms around me.

"Can't breath!" I said pretending to gasp.

She quickly let go and apologized.

"I was only joking mom." I laughed as I poked the side of her cheek.

"Oh I know, you've been doing that since you were a child, Hun." She laughed as she walked into the kitchen to pour herself some coffee. "What time are your friends coming to pick you up?"

"6:15, they'll be here soon," I said matter of factly.

She stopped and turned to look at me and placed down the coffee on the counter.

"Emzy. Please stay out of the water." She said.

"Why, we're going to an island you expect me not to swim?" I laughed.

"Seriously..... Okay. Be careful.. besides we all know you're not the best swimmer, you have never been." She said.

"Mom I'm almost 18. You don't have to baby me anymore okay? Of course, I'll be safe."

"Fine, but please.... the Ocean can be a dangerous place, kiddo."

"Okay. Promise!" I said as I held out one pinky. She let out a forced laugh and intertwined her pinky with mine.

A quiet knock was gently thumped against my wood door in a rhythmic beat. It must be Natasha.

I gave my mom a kiss on the cheek and one last big hug.

"I love you!" I called out as I grabbed my bags and turned the door handle.

"Love you more!" She yelled back.

I closed the door behind me and to the least of my surprise Natasha was standing patiently outside of my door and everyone else was already waiting in her Black GMC SUV ready to head to the airport where we would be meeting the rest of our class.

I placed my bag in the trunk and kept my small bag in my lap. I sat in the back beside Jackson and Eliza while Colton got the front seat beside his beloved girlfriend.

Soon it would be time to take flight.