Invincible- Lauren & Lisa Cimorelli One-Shot:
LAUREN’S POV:
June 20th, 2013
“Okay girls, we know the two of you going off on your own is a big step, but your mother and I think it will be good for the two of you to just get away and relax.” Dad addressed my older sister, Lisa, and I.
“We trust that you’ve been through the airport enough times to make it on your own, but remember the flight leaves at 9:30, so you have to be at the gate before then!” Mom instructed, even though I was almost too tired to be paying attention.
I had barely been able to sleep last night since I was so anxious to be going away with just one of my older sisters and having to get up at 6am certainly didn’t help with my exhaustion.
“Don’t worry Mom; I’ll take care of her.” Lisa stated as our mother reached out to give her a long, loving hug.
‘I’ll take care of her’ those words rang in my ears like a gong. Who did she think she was saying she would take care of me? Sure, Lisa was 5 years older than me, but I was almost 15! I think I knew how to take care of myself.
Mom turned to face me and I sighed heavily taking one last look at her intense, emerald green eyes and kind, gentle smile, before falling into her extended arms for a hug. Tear quickly came to my eyes as I realized this was the last time I was going to be with her for seven days.
“Sweetie, don’t cry, Lisa’s going to be with you and it’s only for one week. You’ll see me again soon.” Mom lulled, stroking my hair and willing me to put the crying to rest.
Dad had noticed my behaviour and decided that his farewell would have to be fairly short or my sister and I might not make it to our flight in time.
I took a deep breath as he hugged me, the strong scent of his signature, musky cologne filling my small nostrils. He quickly kissed the top of my head before pulling my suitcase out of the back of the black Escalade, and handing it to me with a soft grunt.
“Well, we’d better get going now… Bye girls, have fun!” Mom shouted as they climbed back into the car and swiftly pulled away from the curb.
“Come on Lauren, we have to go. We already wasted enough time with your crying and the plane isn’t going to wait for us if we’re late.” Lisa instructed, immediately taking on her newfound authority.
Trudging over to my rolling, silver suitcase, I gathered up all of my strength and focused it on pulling the heavy bag behind me. ‘Please don’t let it be over the weight limit’ I prayed as I followed my sister to check our luggage. Thankfully the airport wasn’t too busy this morning, so I didn’t have a difficult time keeping up with her, but having to follow her around like a lost puppy was something I could have done without.
Once we made it through bag-check, the two of us continued walking towards customs, as the flight we were taking happened to be international. Talking to the attendant behind the glass always made me nervous. You see, I wasn’t the most outgoing of people and interacting with strangers, even for a short period of time, was never something I particularly enjoyed.
With a clammy, shaking hand, I quickly reached out and tugged at Lisa’s fingertips, indicating to her that something was wrong.
“Laur?” she questioned. “What’s the matter?”
Looking down at my worn, black flip-flops, I lowered my voice to a level that was barely audible and whispered “I’m scared Lisa. I don’t want to talk to the man at the counter.”
I felt ashamed having to confess that I was 14 years old and still afraid to talk to strangers, but I simply could not escape the fear that coursed through my veins.
