F•R•I•E•N•D•S

O•N•E

Kennedy

Classical music faintly reaches my ears as I stand with my last suitcase in the foyer of my home.

In a few minutes I'll be heading out, en route to college; the thought both thrills and scares me but I suppress it.
I couldn't let my Mom see me the least bit afraid because she'll quickly pull the plug on this entire ordeal and ship me off to some university in state.

The reason why I chose a college states away was so I can finally get my parents out of my hair.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Mom and Dad, but sometimes they can be so over-protective that I can't take it.

It probably has to do with the fact that I'm an only child; many times I told them to have another child, if not for their sakes then for mine. Each time the preposition was brought up, they would shut it down with the same excuses:

"We spend so much time at work that we wouldn't have time to take care of an infant."

Or

"Having you is all we need."

My mother twirls down the staircase in her flowing designer dress and embraces me, smudging my face into her bosom.

"Oh honey, I'm going to miss you so much!" she coos, squeezing me tighter on the last two words.

"Mother.... can't breathe here," I wheeze.

Finally she releases me from her snake-like grip, lifting both hands to her mouth in motherly admiration.

"My baby is going to college! Gerard, come in here! You're missing out on this," my mother calls out to him.

A man of 6'3 height enters the room seconds later, wearing a warm smile directed at the two of us. Along with impressive height, his thunderous voice made him demand the attention of everyone in a room; that along with the fact that he was a retired pro-basketball player and was well known around the world.

He played among the greats like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Wardell Curry and the list goes on.
Being the kid of a celebrity has its ups and downs, but the all around perks is meeting up with movie and sports stars alike.

"Tatyana she'll be fine! She's a Banks after all," my father gloats, pulling me into his less suffocating embrace.

"And what are Banks good at?" He asks, pulling back.

"I know, I know. Conquering any conquest," I roll my eyes, reciting the family motto for the thousandth time.

"Atta girl. Now remember, don't go anywhere off or on campus without Benson by your side. These fans are getting more and more crazy these days."

"I won't, you know how careful I always am," I reply, mindlessly twiddling a kinky coil of my hair.

"Okay, then you're all set. Call us once you've arrived," Dad says, handing me the set of keys to my new Mustang GT.

I snatch them excitedly, eager to jump in my new car.
Grabbing the handle to my suitcase, I roll it towards the door, ready to start this 'new chapter' of my life.

"And Kennedy," my Dad calls again.

Before I can completely turn around, both my parents have engulfed me inside their loving arms, hugging me one last time before I leave.

"We love you," Mom's sweet voice says.

"I love you guys," I gush.

Several minutes later, I'm behind the wheel of my green, six cylinder sports car, loving the new car smell.

My passenger door opens as Ben slides in the seat, buckling up.

"You ready for our first day?" He asks smiling over at me.

Ben was the bodyguard my Dad hired who was around my age; he'd accompany me to parties, off campus events and things of that nature while he enrolled in college with me.
All undercover of course.

"You bet. Let's get this show on the road," I chirp, starting up the engine.

We were headed down the long cobblestone driveway, awaiting the large gates at the front of the estate to open.
As soon as all four of my tires touched the tar pavement of the road, a cheer escaped my mouth.

"Goodbye California, Illinois here we come!"