Chapter 1: Schools Out
The end of my sophomore year meant it was finally time to return home from college. Going back to New York would be a drastic departure from my laid-back lifestyle in South Carolina, but I was looking forward to seeing old friends and relatives. And to top it all off, I was bringing my best friend Shania to spend the entire summer with me! She was about to meet everyone for the first time, and I prayed they would adore her , just like I do.
Shania was from New Jersey. We met one day during biology class when she asked to be my partner during my freshman year. Ever since then, we were attached at the hip. Shania was the life of the party and before her, I rarely did anything to make friends. However, having her as my friend, totally changed my college year. Everyone on campus started to know my name. Shay and May, they would say. They’re thick as thieves. Wherever she went, there I was and vice versa. I couldn’t ask for a better best friend.
Shania had light brown hair, fair skin, and bright green eyes. She stood around 5 feet 7 inches tall. She had some serious curves, and the guys couldn’t get enough of her. It was fine with me that I was frequently her “wing girl” when we went out. Shania was always what the boys wanted, and I had no problem with that at all. I was concentrating on my studies, and I rarely let guys pull my attention away from my books.
Shania never ever discussed her life before college, besides the fact that she came from an adopted family. She spent each summer on campus. It seemed strange to me that she never went back to her house, so I wanted to change that for her. She was going to have the best summer of her life. When she said yes to my offer, we both screamed and hugged each other. We started packing right away.
I was Shania’s polar opposite in every way possible. I was shorter and skinnier than most people my age, standing 5 feet and 2 inches tall with golden blonde curly hair, caramel skin, and light freckles. My father gave me a distinctive trait called heterochromia, which he states has been passed down from generation to generation. Both of my eyes were different colors, one was blue and the other was hazel. When I was a child, I was the target of bullies, but my dad always taught me that being different was better, and as I became older, I realized that he was right. Being different is better.
When I started college, I decided to stop wearing the brown contacts that I had been wearing in high school. I wanted to be myself and build my confidence. I soon realized, my eyes got me places and were a great conversation starter.
College was an adjustment and being my parents’ only child, it would be an understatement to say that they were somewhat preoccupied with me. In fact, you could say that they were obsessed with me. When I left for college, my mother cried every night. Throughout my entire freshman year, she and my dad would facetime me before I went to bed. When I met Shania , I told them to stop because I had enough and it was interfering with my late-night outings. They got the picture, and for the first time in a long time they let me breathe. They loved summer more than me because I was back home and under their roof. I start to think to myself.
I should be getting a text in ..three...two..
My phone chimes as a text comes in. I look down at my screen
Like clockwork
Mommy: Bernard is outside. Don’t keep him waiting .
Me: The plane just landed . We’ll be out shortly.
Mommy: Ok see you soon Goldie , love you
Me: I hate when you call me that
Mommy: You’re my kid. I can call you whatever I like . Goodbye !
I chuckle to myself. Shania looks at me and speaks.
“Your mom?”
“You know it.”
She responds sadly.
“At least she loves you.”
I grab Shania shoulders and hug her.
“Your mom loves you too.”
“Lucy isn’t my real mom.”
I look at the ground feeling out of place about her situation. I honestly didn’t know what to say. She suddenly shakes her head and hugs me tightly back. She speaks.
“Enough of this sad talk. IT’S SUMMER!”
The mood lightens as we both giggle and quickly head out to meet Bernard, or as I liked to call him, B.
