Begin Again

Chapter 3: Start Afresh

Lining up my luggage neatly on the porch, I sat on the steps as I waited for the arrival of my ride to the city. I placed my hand on my chest while taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart. This is happening.

"Look! It's Aunt Adeline's car!" my mother exclaimed.

I stood up and stared at the car that was getting larger as seconds passed. I adjusted my hair and clothes and put on a bright smile to mask the fact that my heart could jump out of my chest at any moment.

The car stopped in front of our house, and Aunt Adeline got out of it. She greeted us, giving my father, her brother, and my mother, her childhood best friend, a tight squeeze each, for they hadn't seen each other since Thanksgiving. Then, she turned to face me and asked, "Are you ready?"

We loaded the luggage in the trunk, and I gave my beloved mother and father one final hug each. Then, Aunt Adeline and I set off for the city. Inside the car, I turned back to watch my parents waving as they eventually disappeared from my field of view.

I'm on my way to Manhattan, New York City. I can't believe this is happening. I am actually here! Being a free woman tastes so good. I looked out of the car window and stared at the buildings as we passed by.

As it was the first time I was leaving my town, I was eager to find out about other places. I wonder what a city looks like. I wonder what living in such a huge city is like. New York City is the most populous city in the United States. Imagine that! I wonder if it's packed like sardines. Endless thoughts and internal dialogue filled up my mind.

Today, the sky was beautiful. Milky white clouds that looked like cotton candy decorated the azure blue sky. On an ordinary day, I would be enjoying the view while lying on the grass with Derek by my side. But Derek and I were no more, and I had to get used to this new lifestyle of a single woman. Many thoughts filled my head as I gazed at the sky above.

I can't believe I'm now single once again. It feels kind of weird that I don't have Derek by my side. Since we dated for three years, I've gotten used to his company. We usually spend the weekend together.

Or rather, we used to spend the weekend together.

I heaved a deep sigh as I rested my head on the side of the car and closed my eyes. My mind wandered to the time I decided to throw my acceptance letter from Columbia University aside and attend our town's college with him.

"Oh my God! Lexie! Congratulations! You made it!" my dearest boyfriend jumped for joy as he clutched my acceptance letter in his hands. "Oh, my darling is so amazing," he exclaimed while wrapping his arms around me tightly. I had been accepted by one of the world's top universities, and he was exhilarated to hear the news. So was I. However...

"Thanks, but I'm not sure if I should accept it."

Derek gasped, "Of course, you should! This is not just any college. It's Columbia University, an Ivy League institution. It's one of the top universities in the world! The world, Lexie. You are going to thrive! You can achieve your dreams together with your best friends! Wasn't that your plan all along? And look, it worked out!"

"Yeah," I murmured, scratching my head. "But that was before I had you."

The smile on his face fell a little. "Lexie, don't let me hold you back. Go and chase your dreams. Your plans came before I did. It's not like you have to choose between me and your studies. You can have both!" He gently stroked my hair and asked, "What's wrong?"

"The school is in NYC, Derek. We can't be together all the time like we always do. I'll miss you so much," I sighed. "What if we drift apart because of it? I don't want our relationship to end because of my choice of school."