Chapter 1
Underwear – check!
New house key – check!
Clothes – check!
Dad’s credit card – check!
I was looking proudly at my organised bag when my mum opened my bedroom door and gave me a sad smile. Apparently, whisking your daughter off to university is one of the hardest jobs as a parent, that’s what she told me when I was packing a few days before. I would miss her, and her amazing skills in ironing, but the excitement of finally leaving home over-ruled every other emotion. The acceptance letter to university was like a one-way ticket to freedom.
‘Have you got everything, love?’ she asked and I nodded, patting my suitcase before putting the list down on my bed.
‘Yep, I’m ready to go.’ I tried to keep the bubbling excitement out of my voice, at least until I was in the car with Kenzi.
‘Good, have you got your underwear?’ she enquired. Typical mother. I smiled and nodded.
‘Yes, I have everything. Check this list,’ I replied as I handed it to her. I watched as her eyes skimmed over the page and a small smile appeared on her face.
‘Good girl.’ She stepped forward, taking my face in her hands and forcing me to look at her as she spoke. The skin on the sides of her eyes creased as she surveyed my features and looked down at my white jumper. ‘You promise to take care of yourself?’ she asked with a stern yet concerned expression.
‘Yes. I’ll eat every meal time, I won’t drink, I won’t take drugs, I won’t blow my money and I promise to do my studies,’ I recited and she grinned, placing a kiss on my forehead.
‘Good.’ There was a pause and I could see that the tears were on their way. ‘I’m going to miss you,’ she said in a hushed tone, looking at me with an expression that would make even the devil’s heart break. One more of her depressing looks and I’d crack.
‘I’ll miss you too.’ I walked over and gave her a hug, wrapping my arms around her fragile form. Guilt gripped my stomach as she tightened her arms and let out a wobbly breath. As soon as I walked out the door, she would be officially on her own. After dad walked out, I was the only thing she had left.
‘I’d better go, Kenzi’s outside,’ I murmured against the woollen fabric of her cardigan before I could lose my nerve.
‘Okay. Make sure that you text your dad when you get there and call me,’ she rambled.
I smiled, grabbing my suitcase. ‘Calm down, I’ll call,’ I replied, listening to the thump that my luggage made on the floor.
Saying goodbye to both my mum and my bedroom was harder than originally expected. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take my bed, or my mother, with me, so I turned off the light and stood in the passage.
I hadn’t lied about Kenzi being outside. When I glanced out of the window, I saw her red bug parked on the other side of the road with Kenzi inside, texting.
My suitcase grunted on each stair as I pulled it down and out of the front door. After another promise to behave and another hug and kiss, I strolled across the road towards Kenzi’s car.
‘At last! I thought she’d tie you up and never let you go!’ Kenzi exclaimed when I’d shoved my suitcase in the boot and slumped into the car.
‘I know, I think she was considering it at one point.’ I sighed inwardly, slipping my seatbelt on and looking at my best friend.
‘Did you tell her that we weren’t living together?’ she asked as she started the car.
I scoffed and shook my head. ‘Hell no, I value my life too much for that.’