2: The Down Under

                                    

                                          
Piles of clothes laid in every corner of my room. I sat in the middle, still sorting through the rest of the pile I had in front of me.
I couldn't believe it, was it really true? Like...I was actually going to Australia? It didn't seem real at all. Maybe that was because I hadn't seen my best friend in 3 years, maybe it was because Australia is on the other side of the world, maybe it was because dad wasn't here to kiss me goodbye.
Now here I was, leaving for the airport in less than an hour.
My anxiety rippled from my heart throughout my entire body, resulting me to smooth my hair out of my face and take a deep breath. I had to hurry. The creak of my bedroom door sounded, and mom walked in.
"How's the packing coming along?" She leaned against my doorframe, inspecting my now messy room.
"I'm stressing out a little, but other than that I'm almost done." I continued placing piles into my suitcase.
She moved around my room and put piles I wasn't using on top of my bed, "don't worry about these, I'll put them away for you when you leave."
Ugh, I love her. She always knows when I'm stressed and does her best to get rid of stressors that she can control.
"Thank you."
She moved to sit on my bed, "So, let's go through a little run down for your trip." She clasped her hands together, "I need you to make good choices. If other kids are drinking, you won't be." I nodded along, "Be safe. If I hear that you hurt yourself surfing or something, you're on the next flight home." She started counting on her fingers now.
"Mom, I'll be fine." I reassured her, "I can take care of myself."
"I know you can but still, continue surfing, get a summer job, and most importantly, have fun." She smiled warmly and I returned it.
I threw my hair in a low, messy bun, put on black sweatpants and a black sweatshirt before walking out the door. Mom was already in the car.
Before turning to shut the front door behind me, I was met with simple brown eyes.
"Travis? What are you doing here?" I slipped my black backpack on my shoulders and furrowed my eyebrows.
He was wearing his basketball jersey and sweat droplets still sat on his forehead. His light brown hair looked damp. I had already informed him that I was leaving for Australia a couple of days ago and he told me he had a game today that he couldn't miss.
Never could he manage to come to any of my surfing competitions when he was home doing nothing but when it came to me traveling halfway a crossed the world...that was different. I guess it was, but still. I don't understand him sometimes.
"I came straight from my game," he rubbed the back of his neck.
Something's off.
"I can tell."
"So... Australia huh? That's pretty far." He laughed nervously.
I clutched the arm straps on my bag tighter, "yeah well, it's been 3 years that I haven't seen her."
"You could see Alayna next year."
I rolled my eyes and shoved passed him, making my way to the car that my mom was already waiting in.
He quickly followed behind me, "Kota, I'm not saying I don't want you to go. It's just like, this is our last year together and it's my last season." I stopped immediately and turned to face him.
"One, her name is Alana, and two, It's your last season? Only you would make this about yourself." I scoffed and walked to the trunk before throwing my bag in the back.