~Alicia~

The summer before I graduated, I took my life's savings, bought an old school bus, and transformed it into the cutest mobile home ever.

With the help of my dad, of course.

It wasn't easy and took a lot of time, but we got it done.

Right now she has a lot of wear and tear. The roof leaks, the floor is warping and the heat stopped working a while ago. The winter months weren't too bad. Mother nature was very forgiving.

Anyway, after graduation I took off. I wanted to travel. I always wanted to travel and so I did. I wanted to explore my own country and get to know her a little better.

And so far she is a beauty.

It's been one year since I've been home to visit. The further I got on my travels, the harder it was for me to come home. That was a hard pill for my mother to swallow. She expected me to come visit at least once a month and that just wasn't going to be possible.

My family is amazing. I wouldn't have been able to do it without them. Their support means the world to me. At first neither one of my parents agreed and tried to talk me out of it. It took a lot of convincing, but eventually, they caved, with conditions.

I call my parents every day, sometimes twice a day, even if it's just to say hi. That was one of many conditions I had to agree with for them to let me go.

As if I wasn't going to do that anyway.

I even text my brother every day. That was another condition. His condition. It was either that, or he was coming with me and I wasn't trying to have that.

He's a protective brother, to put it mildly. He didn't like the idea of an, and I quote, "a young, beautiful woman, traveling around the country all by her lonesome."

Even thought they drive me insane sometimes, I'm very fortunate to have a family that loves and cares about me.

Speaking of my family, I haven't called my mom yet. I reach for my bag that was sitting on the floor next to me and pull out my phone.

That's just great. It's almost dead.

I find my mother's number and press call.

"Hello!" My mother answered immediately, putting a huge smile on my face. She always has her phone next to her. My mom is the sweetest person ever. Always there when I need her.

"Hey Mom, just checking in!"

"Oh, it's so good to hear from you! How are you? Where are you?"

"I'm doing good. Just crawling out of bed." I lie, dodging her last question. Truth is, I've been up since 3:00 am and I'm fifteen minutes from home.

I can't wait to get there.

My mother chuckles. "Another late night, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say that."

"Well, you tell Charlie that I said you need your beauty rest."

I feel my cheeks starting to heat up. I know what she implying and that was not the case. She can be so embarrassing sometimes.

Charlie is my now ex-boyfriend. I met him not long after I left. He was staying at the same campground as I was and we immediately clicked. At first, we were just travel buddies, and as time went on, we became more.

Unfortunately for me, it wasn't meant to be. We were highly toxic to one another. It was bound to fail eventually. I'm just happy that it happened sooner rather than later.

Well sort of.

Six months ago we both went to bed and when I woke up, he was gone!

Fucking coward. He couldn't even face me.

That son of a bitch even took my hair dryer.

My hair drier!

I don't know what he planned on doing with it. It's not like he could use it. He doesn't have hair.

Fucking prick.

It took me weeks to get over it.

The hair dryer, not him. I didn't even cry over him.

Like I said. It was headed in that direction for months.

No one in my family knows that yet. They were already worried about me and I didn't want, nor did I need them to worry any more than they already do.

"Umm... mom?"

"What? What's wrong?" Her voice was very concerned.

Way to jump to conclusions, Linda!

"Everything is fine, mom. I'm okay!" I quickly reassure her. I don't need her getting all worked up over nothing.

"Well...?"

I sigh. "I was going to wait and tell you, but Charlie and I are no longer together."

Silents.

I hate silence.

The only thing I can hear is the sound of her breathing.

"Mom?" I break the silence.

"I'm here, dear," she replies calmly. My dad must be close by or she would be grilling me.

"Tell Dad hi for me."

"Nick, Alicia says hi!"

"Tell her hello and that I love and miss her."

"He said..."

"I heard him." I cut her off. No need to have her repeat it.

"I love and miss you guys too!" I can't wait to see the look on their faces when I walk through the door.

"You know all those pictures and postcards are nice and all, but I would love to see you in person every once in a while. When are you coming home?" He asks.

"Soon Dad! Soon!" They just don't know how soon.

"Alicia?" He scolded.

"I promise Dad!" I don't make promises that I'm not going to keep. He of all people should know that. I get it from him.

"Who's on the phone?" My brother's voice enters the room.

"Your sister," my mom tells him. "She's going to come visit real soon."

"Put her on speaker," he tells her. It's about time. It's only been three years."

"One!" I correct him.

"It's only been one year."

"Like that makes it any better."

What crawled up his ass today?

"Anyway... what are y'all getting into today?" I change the subject. I'm not trying to fight with him right now.

"Well, I just finished rearranging the guest house. Miles is having some work done to his place and needs a place to stay until it's finished."

"Miles? As in Adel's best friend?"Dear lord don't let it be so. Miles and my brother met in kindergarten and have been best friends ever since almost inseparable.

"That'll be the one," my mother confirms, crushing all my hopes and dreams.

Miles and Adel were the heartthrobs throughout high school. Every teenage hormonal girl wanted them and every teenage hormonal boy wanted to be them. You know, the typical high school jock shit. Tall, muscular, and a smile that would make your heart skip a beat.

That was them.

I'm not going to lie, though. I used to be one of those teenage hormonal girls.

Miles was pretty hot.

Then there was me. His best friend's annoying, dorky-looking sister. I wasn't ugly but I never put the effort into dolling myself up. It just wasn't for me.

I'll never forget the time I was at a field party, having one of the best times of my life. The beer was good, the food was great, the music selection was awesome, tons of people, and no drama. It was one of the best nights ever.

That was until Miles showed up. Someone called and told him that I was there and he took it upon himself to come get me and take me home.

I wasn't even that drunk.

So I thought.

The worst part was when I told him that I was madly in love with him and kissed him.I don't remember anything after that. I woke up the next morning safe and sound in my bed.

At first, I thought it was just a dream. A innocent harmless dream.

That was until Miles brought it up.

I was mortified!

After that, I didn't see much of him. He and my brother were always busy doing God knows what with God knows who.

"Alicia?" My mother calls out. "Are you still there?"

"I-I'm here. Sorry!" I forgot she was on the phone.

"Are you sure you're alright? You seem a bit off today."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. She notices everything.

I see the turn to their long driveway up ahead and my stomach flops. The sudden urge to puke hits me like a ton of bricks.

"Um Mom, can I call you back? I have to use the restroom.

"She sighs. "Alright! But make sure you call me back. I love you!"

"I love you too, mom!" I told her before I hung up.

I pull my van off to the side of the road and shut it off.

I need a moment to myself!

I close my eyes and take a couple of deep breaths, hoping that would help.

It didn't.

I opened the door to let some air in when...

Vomit!

***

Hey all, it's been a while. I have a few projects I've been working on. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you in the next chapter. Much love to you all!