An Everlasting Relationship

Chapter One

             When I thought of transferring from high school to college, I thought there was going to be life-changing differences. After all, college was a big deal. But in the summer between graduation and the beginning of college classes, I realized it wasn't much different. Maybe the classes would be harder, and maybe I had more freedom with class choices and times, but it was still school.

            So I wasn't sure why my mom was overreacting about me heading off on my first day of college.

            Well, that's a lie. She was always overreacting. But still.

            "Mom," I complained, turning my face away from the camera she was shoving in front of it. "Mom, stop."

            My mom pouted at me, lowering her camera to her side. "This is a big day. Your first day of college!"

            "Mom, you're supposed to take pictures of me on my first day of kindergarten, not college," I told her, putting a hand on her shoulder sympathetically. "I'm an adult now."

            Tears suddenly sprung to her eyes. "I know! My little girl has grown up... you don't even live at home any more."

            I grimaced. "Mom, don't—"

            She threw her arms away. "You've grown up so quickly! I have to blame Chris! He's stolen you away from me!"

            "Mom," I said exasperatedly, trying to detach her from me. "You're going to make me late. Be a big girl. I'm just going to college. It's not like I'm moving to Mexico."

            Sniffing, she nodded, taking a step away. "You're right. You should go. Tell Chris to come over if he's lonely while you're at school."

            "Yeah, that's happening. Nothing good comes out of you and Chris hanging out together."

            "What?" she responded innocently. "I don't know what you're talking about."

            I stared at her flatly. "Mom, he told me you said we should think about getting a security detail on me!"

            She raised her chin. "You have caused a lot of trouble."

            "No I don't."

          "Shall we list what's happened over the last year and a half? Chris got shot, you got stabbed, Jeremy got shot, Lance got shot, you got kidnapped, you almost got shot, you walked in on attempted murder... do you want me to continue?"

             I grimaced. "Well, when you put it that way..."

         She nodded, smiling again. "See! Security detail isn't a bad idea after all. Maybe when Chris comes over we can rethink it."

            "Just... no. I'm not letting him come over. You'll see him at Thanksgiving."

            "That's so far away!" she said, horrified.

            "If you behave, I might bring him over for dinner one night," I told her. "But only if you behave."

            My mom brightened up immediately. "Okay!"

            "Okay. I'm going to go then..." I opened up my arms for one last hug. She gave me a quick one and then pecked me on my forehead.

            "Behave."

            I smiled at her. "Always, Mom."

            Western New England University had a beautiful campus. The grass was almost impossibly green, especially for fall, and cut to perfection. Their paths had just been repaved, and new wooden benches installed here and there. Everything looked eerily perfect. There wasn't a rock out of place. It was slightly creepy.