Chapter 7: Leaving The Nest

It was the Monday after graduation and I was on the floor of my bedroom, folding my clothes and placing them in my half-full luggage bag. Even though orientation was two weeks away, I was ready to leave immediately.

Obviously, Mom still didn’t agree with my decision, but ever since what happened at graduation, I was firmer and refused to take ‘No’ for an answer. I guessed that she knew that it was better for me to be further away from her than lose her daughter altogether. As for Dad, he was supportive as usual and even offered to pay for my flight and Airbnb. The hostel wasn’t open until orientation, so I planned to stay at an Airbnb near the university until then.

“Wow, you’re really all packed!” a familiar voice exclaimed from behind me.

It was Luke and I assumed that it was his way of apologizing after the silent treatment we had over the weekend. Even though I was still upset over his selfish sudden change of heart, I still couldn’t deny that he was right. I felt like a different person ever since I told that pathetic lot off.

“Well, it’s not like I’m leaving next month like someone,” I replied sarcastically as I continued to fold my t-shirts.

A loud sigh filled my room before his footsteps grew louder. Within seconds, Luke was seated in front of me with his legs folded. He picked up one of my unfolded t-shirts and started fidgeting with it—or rather, pretending to fold it. My brother was trying to break the ice and find a way to bring up the topic that we both dreaded, but the tension was killing me.

I exhaled loudly and looked at him. “So, how was practice?”

“It was good. Coach T insisted that we keep practicing before we go off to college and join a new team so that we don’t get rusty,” he replied casually.

Nodding in agreement, I shrugged my shoulders. “Makes sense, I guess.”

“Listen, Oli, I heard what happened at graduation,” he blurted out.

My eyes cast down in embarrassment. “Oh.”

“No, it’s nothing bad. I’m super proud of you, Oli! They deserved it and to be honest, I’m shocked that you actually did it. I just wished I was there to see it or even snap a picture for memories,” Luke explained.

A smile broke out on my face and I lifted my gaze back to him. “So, what did you hear? Were they talking about me?”

“Just about what happened. You know what? It’s not important.” Luke’s face fell as he tried to brush away my question.

My forehead furrowed and I knew that something was not right. Every fiber of my being begged me to just drop the topic and move on, yet, I found myself curious even though the truth was not going to be good for me.

“What did they say, Luke? Tell me!” I demanded, slamming the t-shirt in my hand into the bag.

Luke scratched the back of his neck. “They laughed, Oli. They mocked the way you told them off like it was a joke. Joshua tried to spin it off like you were nervous and scared when you yelled at them, but to be honest, I could see anger and slight fear in his eyes.”

“So much for a dramatic exit. You know what? F*ck it. I don’t care anymore,” I responded with a huff.

My brother looked at me with uncertainty and concern. I knew that he was trying to be a better brother and look out for me, but I meant what I said. I felt great after giving them a piece of my mind as if a boulder had been thrown off my shoulders. I couldn’t let them put that boulder back on me, not when I had my fresh start waiting for me.

“Now, are you going to fold that? Or are you just pretending to help?” I teased as I squinted my eyes at him with a smirk on my lips.

Luke threw the t-shirt at me before using a throw pillow to hit me playfully. After saving myself from him, we both sprawled out on the floor, trying to catch our breath.

“I’m going to miss you, Oli. Truly.” Reaching out across my carpeted floor, Luke grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

My eyes stung as a few drops of tears filled them and rolled down the sides of my face. “Me too, Lukey.”

“Well, that’s enough emotion for the week. Later, Oli!” Luke exclaimed as he got up and walked to the door.

“Ugh! How rude!” Picking up my pillow, I threw it at him before he disappeared into the hallway.

Once I was left alone with my thoughts again, Luke’s words about Joshua started replaying in my head, making me doubt myself. Luckily, before I could fall down the bottomless rabbit hole, my phone rang with a video call.

“Hey, O! Or should I call you badass Olivia Jamerson now?” Adrina’s voice screamed through my room.

After rushing to close my door, I plopped down on my bed. “Wait, what?”

“Oh, please. Don’t act dumb with me, Jamerson! I know all about your little show at graduation!” she squealed with excitement.

My eyebrow arched at her with curiosity. “How the hell did you hear about that all the way from Canada?”

“Hot news travels fast, my naïve friend! News that the shy, quiet nerd who always got bullied told off her bullies in a dramatic flourish travels exceptionally fast. Oh, might I add that the middle finger flash as you walked out was perfect!” Adrina kissed her fingers portraying a ‘Chef’s kiss’ gesture.

Covering my face with my hand, I shook my head. “I can’t f*cking believe that you heard about it.”

“Obvs! Damn, I wish you had taken a picture of their faces! Wow, O, I am super impressed and proud of you,” she expressed with a huge beam on her face.

A long, heavy exhale escaped my lips. “Meh. It felt good for sure, but apparently, according to Luke, they are laughing about it.”

“Ugh. Typical! F*ck them, Olivia. They are not worth it. What’s important is that you finally showed them that you are a badass b*tch!” My dear friend clapped her hands in glee.

Inhaling a deep breath of air, I nodded. “You’re right.”

After a long windy conversation with Adrina, I finally pulled myself away to continue packing. Before I knew it, two days had passed and I was standing in the airport with my luggage, surrounded by my family.

“Oh, my baby! I can’t believe you’re finally leaving the nest!” Mom said as she squeezed the life of me in her arms.

“Mom, I’ll miss you too but I’m not leaving the country. I’m always a video call or flight away,” I replied as I patted her back comfortingly.

Mom pulled apart from our hug and cupped my cheeks. “I know that, Olivia. It’s just going to be hard on my own without my babies, especially my baby girl.”

“Hey, you won’t be alone. I’ll always be around the corner, Vivian.” Dad nudged Mom and flashed me a smile.

Pulling away from Mom, I wrapped my arms around Dad. “I’ll miss you, Daddy. Thanks for everything.”

“Anytime, pumpkin. Call if you ever need anything, okay?” Dad kissed the top of my forehead deeply, his emotions pouring through his extended kiss.

“I will, Dad. Take care of Mom for you, will you? I’m leaving her in your hands and if anything happens to her, I’m coming after you,” I joked as I waved my finger at him warningly.

Dad’s eyes enlarged before he saluted me. “Ma’am, Yes, Ma’am!”

The four of us exploded in laughter in the corner of the airport, refusing to care about what the others thought of us because we were in our family bubble, for the last time in quite some time. Despite the smile on my face, countless emotions bubbled over within me. A pang of ache broke me from within at the thought of leaving my family behind for a new life, but I knew that displaying my feelings would only make it harder for them to let me go.

“Hey, Oli, don’t be a stranger, okay? Ring me up anytime and make sure you stay away from shady college boys,” Luke said as he poked my shoulder.

Arching my eyebrow at him for a second, I shot him a glare before pulling him towards me. It was different saying goodbye to Luke. He had been by my side since I was born and had spent more time with me compared to our parents. He knew everything about me and witnessed my whole life. I still couldn’t believe I was taking the next step in life without him by my side. For the first time, I wasn’t going to have my big brother around.

“I will, Lukey. I’ll miss you the most. Be good and make us proud, okay?” I expressed with a shaky voice.

When Luke patted my back, tears started flowing down my face involuntarily. Perhaps it was triggered when I hugged the last member of my family or maybe the thought that I was one step closer to life by myself without them. Either way, the waterfalls had been unleashed.

Breaking the hug, I wiped away the tears from my face and reached out to all of them for a group hug. “Come here, you guys. I love you all so much!”

Inhaling a deep breath of air, I took a step back and looked at all of them for a last time as I waved goodbye. Turning around, I walked towards the security checkpoint and never looked back.

Once I settled into my seat on the plane, I bawled my eyes out which attracted the unwanted attention of some passengers. After a few minutes, I calmed myself down and looked out the window just as the plane took off from the runway.

The land and blue sea filled my sight as they continued to shrink outside my window. Just before we disappeared into the clouds, I took a deep breath of air and let out a long exhale that carried all my bitter memories.

“Goodbye, San Jose. You are now officially my past.”