On My Own

Chapter 1

As I sat on my small brown leather couch in the living room, I continued to stare out the window, waiting for the mail to arrive. This was it. I have been working towards this and waiting for this moment for months now. As soon as I saw the small mail truck pull up at the end of my driveway, I quickly jumped off the couch, threw the front door open and sprinted down to the mailbox at the end of my yard. 

After taking the mail out of the older man's hand before he was able to get the chance to place it inside the mailbox, I yelled "Thank you!" as I ran back inside.

"It's here!" I screamed, running into the small kitchen where my mom and my sisters were preparing to have breakfast. 

My mom quickly brushed off her hands, which were covered in pancake mix. 

"What does it say?" She questioned excitedly walking over to the edge of the small countertop next to me.

I took a deep breath and mentally prepared myself for both good and bad news before slowly opening the letter.

"Dear Adrianna," I said out loud as I quickly skipped over the majority of the letter. "After meeting with you, we would be honored to have you join us this summer," I yelled, jumping and hugging my mom after reading the last line of the letter.

My mom returned my hug. "I'm so proud of you," She said giving a small kiss into my hair. 

This was a dream come true. I applied for this trip over a year ago and went through a very tedious selection process over the past few months, hoping to be chosen. In less than a month, I will be traveling to London for the entire summer, learning the history and culture of the foreign country. Only a few of the candidates will be chosen to continue their academic studies abroad at The University of Westminister.

'I have to be one of them,' I told myself.

My high school career is coming to an end and not only am I preparing for the commencement ceremony but now I will also be preparing for this major change in my life. I have never traveled out of the United States, let alone lived in another country for 4 months. 

"I have to call Liv!" I yelled running upstairs to my room. 

I sat down on the edge of the bed, as I scrolled through my contacts, my phone began ringing. 

"I got accepted!" I heard my best friend scream through the phone as I answered. 

Immediately small tears formed in the corners of my eyes. I was still in shock over being accepted, and now knowing that my best friend will be with me, I couldn't help but be emotional over the changes that were going to occur over the next few months.

-

A few days later, I found myself waking up before my alarm. The sun was just beginning to peek through the small window in my room. As I lay in bed, staring out the window, I couldn't help but think of the future. My future. Today is the day I have been waiting for. Finally, my accomplishments over the past twelve years will be recognized. 

As I imagined my plans for the day, my alarm finally pulled me away from my thoughts. I reached over grabbing my phone from my nightstand, shutting off the alarm. I placed my phone back on the table looking at a small frame, with a picture of my dad and ten years old me inside. My dad had one knee in the bright green grass as he knelt beside me. I was wearing a light blue soccer uniform, filled with grass stains. My smile was big, although I was missing several teeth. A sense of pride filled me as memories from that day ran through my mind. It was my last soccer game, in the middle of the dreadfully hot summer. I didn't even like soccer, nor was I any good. It was my first and last year playing, which I agreed to only due to my dads love for the sport. I scored my first and only goal that game. I smiled thinking of the happy memory, and how proud my parents were, especially my father. 

I got out of bed, having a little over two hours to get ready. Hopping in the warm shower, I got lost in my thoughts again, before hearing my moms voice from outside the door. 

"Adria, you need to start getting ready." My mom said from the hallway, bringing me back to reality. 

Realizing my mom was right, and I was in the shower for much longer than I planned, I quickly dried myself off, and began getting dressed. I decided to straighten my naturally curly, dirty blonde hair. I put on the finishing touches of my very simple makeup before putting on my white cap and gown. 

As I walked downstairs my mom and sisters were sitting on the couch, waiting for me so we could leave. 

"Honey you look amazing!" My mom said getting up and walking towards me. "I am so proud of you." 

It was evident from her swollen eyes that she has already been crying for most of the morning. My little sisters both let out small giggles as my mom began reliving memories of me just beginning kindergarten. I joined my sisters laughing as we headed to my high school. 

The ceremony began shortly after we arrived. I tried my best to pay attention throughout the several speeches given by the school administrators and our valedictorian.  Finally, they began calling names and giving out diplomas. Thankfully, my school was not very large but I was still towards the end graduates due to the ceremony going in alphabetical order.

After what seemed like a lifetime, it was finally time for my row to head to the stage. I followed the line, moving up after each person when finally my principle announced "Adrianna Tassey" I smiled hearing cheers from my small group of family and friends in the stands. As I proceeded to the center of the stage, I couldn't help myself from feeling a sense of pride, but worry and sadness at the same time. The rest of my life was finally beginning.