two worlds

chapter 4

aline costa -

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i looked over my bedroom once more, making sure i packed everything and anything, needing reminders of home all the time. i walked back to the small entrance of the house and picked up both the rusty old suitcases making sure they weren't overweight. i've never been on a plane before so i did my research, and now i'm just paranoid i'll be stopped at security or that my bag is overweight.

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i glanced over at my mom who was examining the phone she just bought me, trying to learn how to start it up. i told her i didn't need it, in reality i probably do. we used the money from my last shift that we didn't really need, since now my mom only has to pay for herself.

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a few minutes later once we figured it out, i slipped on my shoes and put on my club backpack. the only  luggage item that didn't look like it was about to fall apart. i put the phone in my pocket and grabbed one of the suitcases while my mom handled the other, we brought it out of the apartment and took it downstairs, where we had already called a taxi. the driver, who looked like he was done with life in general grabbed my bags and basically threw them in the trunk. "cuidadoso!" i said, knowing the bag could break at any moment.

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he shut the trunk and got back in the car, waiting for me. i looked over at my mom and hugged her tightly, on the verge of tears. she was already crying. "mae, esta tudo bem" i tried comforting her at the same time trying to tell myself it was okay, i didn't want to cry or make her worried. we hugged for a long long time, before the taxi driver honked. she pulled away from the hug and smiled at me sadly. she ushered me to get in the car and i did. rolling down the window to wave at her as the car drove off. a few tears spilled out, now that she couldn't see me.

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i debated getting out of the car while i had the chance, but i knew it was best to go. i looked out the window, glancing at everything passing by. we passed by the entrance of the neighborhood, where everyone hung out, there was a football field and a playground. all the kids gathered up. isabella noticed me and i waved back, i had already said goodbyes to everyone. so all the tears and sadness was hopefully over, but still i couldn't help the many tears that spilled out when i saw her face. i don't even remember when we became best friends, but all my earliest memories consist of her. the car came to a stop at a red light and she ran up to the window, it was already rolled down so we gave each other a make shift hug, laughing at the weird position. the car slowly started to move once the red light changed to green and we let go of the hug, screaming "tchau" until we could no longer see each other.

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for most of the car ride i sat, thinking about my mom and isabella, then i used my phone for the first time. it wasn't the fake shit kids in my neighborhood used, it was a real apple phone. i've had to hide it in my pocket for a while so no one could steal it, there are homeless people everywhere in the street, so close to cars that they could reach inside and steal anything. plus it's just a dangerous place, items are getting stolen all the time. i search up the academy name, (this is a fake name😭😭) coeusus madrid international academy.

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the rest of the car ride i was staring at the pictures of the academy in awe, absolutely shocked at how insane the school was. not to mention the practice facilities and fields. the uniform was also pretty, thank god i didnt has to worry about what to wear in front of these rich people. i repeat the same 3 outfits and i know that would irk them even though it's none of their business.

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once we reach the airport the driver immediately gets out and takes the bags out of the trunk, while i get out like a normal person. i hand him the money and he finally looks satisfied and then drives off. taking the rusty bags in hand i walk to the automatic doors and look out at the busy city of sao paulo one last time before heading inside.

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