We all have that one dream we know our mind is set on, that one dream that you would spend hours on end wishing desperately for it to be reality. For me, that's to be a writer. To have my own bestseller and have people want to read whatever figment comes out from my delusional crazy imagination. To prove that a pen and a piece of paper could bring my thoughts to life and to be able to share that with the world. Oh and lets not skip out on the bit where I thought it would all be a piece of cake..
I looked out of the car window and watched the trees dance by, noticing the progressively decreasing frequency of them, undoubtably a sign that we were getting closer. Closer to the beginning of the road that would map out major parts of my life. The road that would lead to the start of my plan to become something revolutionary. To becoming a writer and to visualize the kind of life I had always wanted for myself, however, I was quickly snapped back to reality by the clearing of my father's throat followed by his concerned voice.
"Are you okay?" He asked while looking at me through the rear view mirror. I looked up at him and smiled.
"Yeah, dad... why do you ask?" I asked back. My father sighed before speaking.
"You've been...a bit more broody lately..." He said with a shrug, although I could hear the concern in his voice.
"I'm okay dad, I've just been thinking lately about university life and dorms and living away from home that it all feels so unreal...you know?" I say while playing with my thumbs. My dad smiled.
"You're growing up Reese, and that's scary sometimes but you just have to remain calm... it'll be okay." He said reassuringly
"I know it will...I just guess that's the scary part....growing up... its like losing a part of myself.. childhood, it is scary.." I said, although my mind was far away... all I could think about was what life would be like in Calderstone University. The university where I would be studying English Literature for the next three years. Calderstone was located in a town called Ridgewood, not too far from Southern London. It was scary, I was used to living in Manchester and now, being close to South London felt weird.
The car came to a stop, I felt my heart leap from my chest as my father turned to look at me. A part of me wanted to just desperately go back to Manchester and forget this whole dream of being a writer. To just forget that I ever wanted to study literature and creative writing and just find something else to do with my life. However, deep down the other part of me, the younger part, wanted to live out my dream. Although, it seemed unrealistic, it was still, nonetheless, a dream and right now, I would do absolutely anything to ensure that I would live out that dream.
My mind flooded with memories of me writing short stories as a kid and forcing my parents to read it so I could get feedback on it. At least that was before my parents got divorced and my dad gained custody of me. I barely talk to my mother now anyway. Eight years ago, when they got divorced my mother took a plane to America and never returned back to Manchester. She started a family with some guy name Jake so she never invites me over anyway. Probably because she'd rather spend time with the children she has with her new husband than see and or call me. The last time she spoke to me was the day she left, and I had to find out all about her new life through her social media posts. To be fair, my dad made sure to be there for me during the years that she couldn't and I stopped grieving over the absence of her and the memory of what it felt like to have a mother. Now, my mind snapped back to the presence and the doubtful feelings set back in. All I needed to remember was that I had to do this for the younger version of me that was counting on me to fulfil my dream. Our dream.
My name is Reese Brooks and this is one hell of a story.