Escape

Chapter 3: Roots

I wasn't born and raised in New York city. We moved to Williamsburg code to the east river when I was 15. Scotland was the only home I'd known. It wasn't even my birth place. I asked my parents and they kept on avoiding the question. That's a battle I gave up on.

My parents Kent and Helen Smith were odd parents. Strict but loving. Secretive too. My mum is a nurse and my dad's a lawyer so I always knew I was goin to go down a professional path. They always told me I would be a doctor to save lives. I wanted to be a dancer.

Living in a house with strict parents and even stricter rules gavevery limited options. No parties, sleepovers or even hangouts. Just work and school.

Laying on my bed i wondered if this was the kind of life I wanted to live.

"f**k it, I'm gonna have fun even if it's for 1 day in my life." No one would know.

I left my house by 6pm. My parents would be back by 11pm because of a work dinner or something. Plenty of time.

Walking the streets of New York was magical, the lights were blinding but magnificent. The crowds lively. The different aroma of food called to me but I had a mission and I couldn't back down now. Smorgasburg could wait.

Reaching my destination around the block I pulled out my phone and started recording. I knocked on the front door sending a little prayer to heaven when the door opened.

"Hey Mrs Ada...."

A squeal, hugs and a million kisses later.

"Its nice to see u again Lulu. How are your parents ?"

I sniffed scratchingmy head

"You know always busy. Even for me."

Her face fell and she hugged again. She looked at me. Her eyes told me I always had a place in her home.

"Oh Sheryl, someone's here to see u !"

I hear footsteps then I start to sing "Happy birthday to u...."

Sheryl walks down the stairs in a white jumpsuit laughing and looking at me funny.

"You know your voice is horrible right. Haha."

I look at her shocked.

"Me. Well i always thought I had the voice of an angel. Happy birthday Sher."

Sher was the exact opposite of me. Dark skinned, brunette, into arts and tall. She even had a part time job.

A gasp left her lips then I saw tears. She saw it. Before I could react she snatched the cake I brought with me and ogled it with a watering mouth. Luckily Mrs Adams swooped in and saved that poor cake for death in seconds.

"No, no eating the cake until you girls are back from the carnival."

And as typical of Sher, she whined "But mum..."

"No buts. Now go."

Defeated and with me giggling she pulled me upstairs so we could get ready.

The birthday girl gleaned while putting on her lipstick. "This is gonna be the best night of our lives."

I smiled looking at myself in the mirror and doing a little twirl.

"I know it too."

And with that we left.