I Should've Stayed To Myself

Prologe pt. 2

•Laila

"Girl we are gonna miss you so much!"

I stop doing my makeup and looks and Brielle and poke my lip out.

"Aww Ima miss y'all too"

This is the last day I'm home before I'm sent to the camp. Thought I'm sad I'm also excited! I need this camp because I don't want to think this way anymore... I've complained to my parents about this feeling I have when I'm with girls and they suggested this. I'm happy I'll have the opportunity to change, to learn how to be a real woman.

"I can't believe your parents are sending you, it's not like you did anything wrong!" Morgan says

I don't say anything and continue to apply my makeup as the other girls agree with her. When I finish is when I finally speak cutting anything they are saying off.

"I'll be fine. I want this." I need this.

"I love how you're so optimistic on life!"

I smile at Brielle and stand up.

"Come here guys!" I give them a hug and grab my bag to take to the car. As we walk to the front door, they mention everything I'm going to miss this summer and beg me to stay. I just laugh and tell them that this camp is more important to me than going to Paris.

"Don't worry, we still have other breaks, and besides Paris has seen me many of times, I'm trying to go to Rome Okayy!"

They laugh but soon stop as we reach my parents at the door. I look up at them with a light smile. My father I know is proud of me for making this decision, my mother thinks I'm okay just the way I am but she wrongs she has always been wrong. I don't know why daddy stays with her. I love her dearly but we all know she's crazy and a lier. I remember when I was younger she tried to take me away from here...

"Baby stay in the car okay?"

"Why mommy? Wheres daddy?"

"Daddy he- he hurt mommy and I don't want him to hurt you."

"How? Daddy would never hurt us!"

"Shh baby, I'll be right back"

Luckily when she went back in the house daddy caught her and made her bring me back inside. I saw them hug that night as they tucked me in and explained everything was going to be okay. That's when I knew I could never trust my mother fully.

"We are going to miss you sweetheart, I'm glad you are smart enough to make this choice" my father says grabbing my shoulder.

"Thank you daddy I will miss you too!" I look to my mother and hold back rolling my eyes as I see her eyes become watery.

She doesn't say anything, just reaches in for a hug. I hug her back because I don't want my friends to suspect anything. She holds it longer then I would like quietly whispering,

"You don't have to this baby."

She pulls away

"But I want to."

My dad ushers one of the house keepers to get my bag and put it in the car.

"Are you sure you are fine riding alone?" My father asks

"Yes, I might as well get ready being away from you guys."

He laughs and guides me and the girls outside. I say my final goodbyes and step in the car. The door shuts and I wave at them even though I know they can't see through the tent. I look at my father, the way he holds my mother's hand so tight. I wish I could say I feel bad for her. My father will never hit her, but I know he can get loud and angry. I'm usually there to de-escalate the situation for her. That's probably why she was crying, because she is too weak to stand up for herself.

I think about my future and wonder if this is truly the right choice. It's an all girls camp hopefully the teachings pull me away from my sinful thoughts and the girls don't pull me closer...

Prologue pt.2| I should've stayed to myself