Days locked up in my room turned into weeks. School had closed for the summer holidays and everyone seemed to be enjoying their vacation. I woke up from one of my naps and was thirsty. My throat was dry. I sat up on the bed and grabbed the empty the glass on my drawer. I saw that the jug was empty and needed a refill. I opened the door and went downstairs to the kitchen. I opened the fridge and took a bottled water instead. I uncapped it and drank it halfway. I left the jug on the counter and headed back to my room. I was at the staircase, almost about to climb a step when Mom called me from the living room. I didn't notice she was there. I ignored her and took two steps up.
"Jocelyn,can you come over to the living room, please?"Mom said calmly
I heaved silently and went to the living room. I came to the living room, standing behind a wooden stool with a lamp on it. Everyone sat in an order formation;Mom and Dad sat together on the couch,Owen and Chloe sat on a sofa while Coco was playing with her chew toy. Chloe was busy with her rattle and giggled when the rattle shooked. The only time I saw them sitting like this was to discuss important issues. Dad cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses.
"Please have a seat"Dad said
I looked at the arm chair available and sat on it. I folded my hands and maintained eye contact with the cushion on my lap.
"Your mom and I booked an appointment with a psychiatrist. She insisted on seeing you so that she can have a one-on-one chat with you but you had locked yourself in your room. So she suggested that you have a change of environment. That's why we've decided that you'll be leaving for Europe tomorrow. You'll be staying with your aunt in London"Dad said
"Wait? Jocelyn is going to London?"Owen said
"Yes. I think it will help her recover. My sister has agreed for Jocelyn to stay with her"Mom said
"Does this mean I'll be living in London?"I asked, raising my head a bit
"Only for the meantime. Until you recover"Dad said
"I know this trip came up suddenly but it is what will be best for you"Dad added
I gave them a faint smile. Mom stood up from her seat and sat on the arm of the arm chair where I sat. I laid my head on her lap and she stroked it slowly. Owen felt sorry for me. He couldn't hide his facial expression. Chloe and Coco didn't seem to mind. They were busy playing with each other.
Hours past and dawn emerged. I took my bath and got dressed. I brought out my suitcase and began packing. I had packed all I needed and was about to zip up my suitcase when a necklace caught my eye. It was the necklace Xavier had bought for me. I held it in my palms and remembered what happened at prom. It was the reason for my sudden vacation. I threw the necklace I'm the mini trash bin in my room and zipped up my suitcase. I went downstairs. Everyone was waiting for me. Dad sat down on the couch waiting for me, Owen and Chloe were playing peek-a-boo and Mom kept Coco in a crate and ready to travel. Mom knew I needed company while I'll be in London and saw Coco as the perfect pair.
"Ready to go?"Mom asked
"Mm-hmm!"I nodded
"Did you pack everything you need?"She asked
I nodded. I stared at my siblings. They were playing and looked happy. I guess this may be the last time I would see them.
"Are you set to go?"Dad asked
"Mm-hmm!"I nodded
"Let me help you with that"Dad said, taking my suitcase to the car
He carried Coco's crate as well and headed to the door. Mom hung her arm on my shoulder and escorted me to the car. Owen carried Chloe along with him. Dad kept my suitcase in the trunk and Coco at the backseat of the car. Dad closed the door of the car and waited for to get in.
"I'll miss you Jocelyn"Mom said, hugging me
I hugged her and tried not to cry. I'll definitely miss everyone.
"I hate to admit but I'll miss having you around. Take care of yourself"Owen said
"Joce...lyn"Chloe said, reaching out her hand to touch me
I gave her a smile and went to the car. They waited for to get in to the car. Dad started the ignition and they waved at me. They stood there after we drove off. Dad looked at me once in awhile and had his eyes on the road.
"Excited about the trip?"Dad said
I didn't say anything. I leaned on my arm and stared at the window on the passenger's door.
"I know the trip is sudden and was on a short notice but it's for your own good. I miss my cheerful daughter and I know you'll come out of this"He said
I looked at him and gave him a smile and it disappeared immediately. We arrived at the airport and parked at parked in front of the airport. I got down of the car and I brought Coco from the backseat. There were some chauffeurs holding signs with the names of their passengers on it. Dad brought out my suitcase from the trunk and followed me in.
"Hello! Tickets!"The airport argent said with a smile
Dad handed her my ticket and she checked it in the laptop in front of her.
"Okay. Have a safe flight"She replied
Dad helped with to my suitcase and followed me to the check point. The security personnel frisked me and check my suitcase at the terminal. He followed the protocol. Dad hugged me before I went further into the terminal. I held Coco's crate in hand and my suitcase in the order. I went to the ramp and boarded the plane. An air hostess collected Coco's crate from me at the entrance. I didn't know where she has taken to but I'm sure she'll safe. I went to my seat. I caught a glimpse of my seat number at the entrance when Dad brought it out. I kept my suitcase on the compartment above my seat and sat down.
"Attention passengers! Please fasten your fasten seatbelts and prepare for take off"The pilot said through the P.A system
An air hostess showed us how to to put on our seatbelts and apply the oxygen mask in case of any emergency. Within a few seconds,the aeroplane ran through the runway and was up in the sky. I looked through the window and saw the fluffy clouds. Everything down looked smaller from up here. I guess this is goodbye Florida.