Just One Glance

Change of Plan

"How you feeling Bo?" Mum asks as we drive the winding roads through the forest, up toward our final destination of Truso in  Scotland. It's a small town and fishing port near the northwest point. I've visited it a number of time while seeing my Grandparents and usually I would be excited to be heading there again. The only problem is, this is not a flying visit. This is now going to be my new home.

"Fine" I reply and pull my headphone up over my ears, having my music just loud enough that they know there is music playing but not loud enough that I can't hear anything they say. "I know this isn't what you wanted to happen but you are going to love it here. Your dad and I loved living here as kids and the College is brilliant. There's such a wide range of courses to choose from and lots of different apprenticeships you can apply for" she tells me for what seems like the hundredth time. My mum likes to be optimistic and always see the best in people and situations and that's usually me but this place is not what I seen in my future. I wanted to move to the city and get lost in the crowd and become a midwife. Helping women, babies and families, not move to a small town where everyone knows everyone and they all grew up together. Who wants to be the outsider at nearly eighteen? Not me that's who!

"Pumpkin, I know this isn't what you wanted to happen when you finished school but we didn't want you to be miles away without us and you know that you can do your midwifery course here. Gram was a midwife so you know she will be happy to help you and your mum is a fantastic nurse, not to mention the hands on experiences you are bound to have living here. There's always babies being born in this Pa...part of the world" dad tells me with a elbow shove from mum.

They've been doing that a lot lately, little eye conversations, foot nudging, glares at one another and "heated debates" as they like to call them. This isn't usual for my parents. They're actually the most loved up couple I've ever seen in my life and as much as it makes me want to boak watching them sometimes behave like teenagers, I have to admit that I want the love they have for each other some day.

I don't respond to them, continuing to look out the window at the familiar surroundings. We are maybe ten miles out from Truso and I mean I want to be angry about moving here but in truth I love the place, I'm only pissed because I had plans to spread my wings from under my parents.

I'd say that people would describe them as over protective these days which is stifling at times but I know it's because they love me and want me safe but there's only so much a teenage girl can take of them constantly wanting to know what I'm up to and where I am and wanting to reiterate for the bazillionth time to ensure I stick to the no eye contact rule! Which by the way is a horrendous rule to have when trying to make friends with people thinking you are a freak because you won't look them in the eye or at their face or constantly wearing tinted glasses.
I struggled my whole life to make any sort of friends back home and heaven forbid I spoke to a boy. It just wasn't worth it. So I'm lucky my introvert, bookworm personality didn't let me feel like I missed out on much but come on! A girl wants to experience what life has to offer.

"There's the Truso Academy" Mum says excitedly pointing out the window and I have to admit it is a beautiful building. There is a long drive up towards the main entrance that I swear could give Buckingham Palace a run for its money but in red sandstone brick and lots of stain glass windows throughout. There a large fountain within the centre that I can't fully make out from here but it's impressive none the less and the whole place looks far too big for this little town to have. "Surely they don't need that size of building for this town?" I ask sliding my headphone down to go around my neck.

"Did you not read the brochure?" Dad asks looking slightly perplexed. "What brochure?" I ask confused and mum elbows him again talking with her eyes and dad simply nods. "This college is a very sought after academy with many families who have lived here over the years. Think of it as a legacy of sorts where everyone's children attend here at the age of eighteen no matter where in the world they may live. You will meet so many new people and get to know so many different customs and experiences while you go here for the next three years. You will absolutely love it." Dad tells me excitedly as Mum smiles brightly but I can see the strain around their eyes. "Sounds cool" I tell them and it does but so weird that I've never heard of the place before when I was completing my university applications. "You are one hundred percent sure I will be able to do midwifery here because you know that's my dream guys. If I can't do it, it's a deal breaker for me" I tell them willing to play the "I'm an adult now" card come my eighteenth birthday in three weeks time.