Chapter 1: Brielle

Brielle's POV

"Are you really sure about this? Like are you sure SURE?" my bestfriend Thraia asked for the nth time.

"You do realize that we're literally on our way to the airport now right?" I told her.

"I know but still, are you sure you don't want to back out?" she said. I chuckled.

"You act like this is the first time I'm going to another country for a long time" I said. She sighed.

"This is different though. This time it's not just for the summer. You're literally staying there for 5 whole years and maybe even more" she exclaimed. I got her point.

I usually went overseas almost every summer when I was in college. I went there twice for a 2 week vacation and twice for more than a whole month when I attended summer classes in a university. This time, I won't be coming for a very very long time.

"I mean it can actually be reduced though. We never know if I might go back a few months, a year or two" I told her.

"How? You said you had to work for 5 years there to become a citizen since that's your goal" she said a little hopeful.

"I'll probably get married off to a cute local guy that I'll see in the streets" I joked. She laughed a little.

"You hope. You're not the type to commit to anyone you barely know. You get attracted easily but relationship and marriage isn't in your vocabulary. If that's the case, you wouldn't be going to another country without any relationship experience at all" she attacked me.

True. I've been single my whole life. I'm literally 23 and I've never once been in a relationship. I was courted, flirted with and shipped to a ton of guys before but I was never one to commit because none of them felt good enough to risk my all.

"You didn't have to expose me like that, bish. Anyways, I have exemptions you know" I defended myself.

"Right. You say it like that's something so simple. You're literally daydreaming" she said in disbelief.

"For your information. Nothing is impossible. I've been praying and counting 9 stars every day for it to be possible" I said optimistically.

"Theodore isn't going to marry you" she stated. I put my hand on my heart dramatically and pointed at her.

I never said he will but it's still offensive coming from my bestfriend.

Theodore is my favorite artist of all time.

He's actually in a boy band as the sub-vocal, lead dancer and the group's visual.

"Take that back! You don't know that!" I demanded. She laughed at me and smacked me lightly.

"Seriously though, bish! 5 years! I might get married before then you know" she told me. I looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"The probability of you getting married anytime soon is just as low as the probability of me getting married to Theo" I told her. We both laughed at the truth.

Like me, Thraia or should I say Aia has never been in a relationship before as well.

We're both 23 although she's 7 months older than I am lol.

We've been friends since we were in nursery. So that's almost 20 years of friendship.

We went to the same school during elementary, high school and college too.

She's basically like a real sister to me since I literally grew up with her.

"Brielle, find me a cute guy when you get there please" Mimah, Aia's younger sister and my other sister by heart slipped in the conversation.

She just woke up from a nap. I laughed.

"Graduate first and I'll find you as many guys you want" I told her.

She pouted and we laughed.

"Speaking of finding guys, maybe I can hook you up with some guys I'll meet overseas. Then, you guy can get close and maybe you'll end up moving overseas with me" I told Aia.

She thought about it.

"I'll consider it so try to find a really cute guy for me will you? Preferably rich so I won't need to work lol" she joked.

We all laughed.

I'm guessing that my bestfriend would've been stoked to work overseas with me but she took up a course that isn't easy to find a job at in other countries.

I, on the other hand took a course with more opportunities overseas than in my home country.

Then, Cess, my younger sister woke up at our conversations and looked outside the window of the moving van were in.

"Where are we?" Cess asked.

I looked at the GPS on my phone.

"Still an hour away from the airport" I answered. She nodded.

My sister is 2 years younger than I am. She and Mimah are the same age and same year with different courses.

They've been friends since nursery as well. The four of us stayed in the same dorm for 4 years too.

Well, Aia and I stayed in the same dorm for 2 years first, 4 years with them so 6 years in tofal.

Basically, the four of us are literally like sisters.

"Were you guys talking about boys?" she asked.

We nodded in unison.

"You better not end up marrying a random local guy. Unless it's literally Theo, I won't approve of him too easily" she told me.

I chuckled. Of course.

"This is exactly why Brielle still believes she's going to get with Theo" Aia said in disbelief but it was just a joke and we all laughed.

I'm not that delusional.

I looked at them as we laughed in the moment.

I'm really going to miss being around them but this is a brand new chapter in my life and I should do well to avoid regrets.

Time passed by quickly and it was time to leave. I said goodbye to my loved ones while trying hard not to cry.

I hugged and kissed my mom and dad on the cheek as my mom cried and my dad stood by her.

It felt like my was heart breaking into pieces but I knew that they were proud of me for taking this step in my life.

This was something I've been wanting to do for the longest time and I'm finally going to do it.

Then, I put my hands on my youngest brother's shoulders. He's 10 years younger than I am but almost just the same height as I am. His eyes were filled with tears. I cupped his face and looked straight into his eyes.

"Look after mom and dad for me, okay? You're officially a teenager so don't you dare rebel on us anytime soon. I won't buy you what you want if you become a rebel" I joked.

He slightly frowned.

He may not look like the cute baby I used to take care of back then anymore but he'll always be my little brother.

"Are you sure you'll be fine on your own in another country?" he asked as tears fell from his eyes.

I wiped his tears away.

"I will be just fine, okay? Don't worry too much about me. I'm not a pushover or a 'just give up' type of person, remember?" I assured him.

"When will we see you again?" he asked sobbing.

"We can always video call. Also, I'll try my best to fly you guy out by next year so you need to be a good boy until then, okay?" I told him. He nodded and we hugged.

I then said goodbye to Cess, Mimah and then Aia.

"Be careful there, bish. I'll miss you!" my bestfriend shouted and waved me goodbye.

I nodded and waved goodbye too.

"I will!" I shouted back and got inside.

I got through immigration and waited until we could board the plane then I opened my socials to check on it before leaving and I saw some of my close friends and some from my supporters' goodbye messages.

I red through them and stopped myself from sobbing as I cried quietly.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really happy to be able to work at my dream country but leaving my loved ones behind is never an easy step in my life.

I've always dreamt of moving overseas to work and eventually settling down.

I went through so much to be where I am today and I'm still working my way up.

I opened a group chat of my supporters' and I. They were the few ones who knew about my departure.

I haven't made it public yet so not everyone knows.

My name is Gabrielle Margareth Rivero, nickname is Brielle.

I'm actually an author and an 'influencer'.

I started off at 18 as an awkward and depressed potato who aimed to be a better person and help others with inspiring contents about going on and not giving up in life.

Now, I'm 23 with a platform for helping others and raising awareness of important issues and topics.

I also write e-books and have published over 50 books in an online reading platform and have published 5 hard copy books.

Writing and filming was just a hobby and a coping mechanism, now, it's one of my careers in life.

I tried to say thank you and have little conversations with everyone who wished me good luck with the new chapter in my life before we were called to get on.

I inhaled deeply and smiled to cheer myself up.

I can do this. I'm capable of this and more.

After all, I'm Gabrielle Margareth Rivero and I've been through a lot already in my life.

This is nothing.

With that, I left.