To the stars

“OF APARTMENTS AND STRAWBERRIES…”

“What did you just say?!” mom demanded.

I took a deep breath. “I’m leaving, Mom.”

“I heard that part but where? Leaving? Ridiculous! You aren’t a kid anymore. You should know your responsibilities. You can’t threaten us to runaway every time you have a fight with us!” she flared.

“Ridiculous? Is it really?” I asked trying to hold back my tears.

Well hello there, I’m Karia Lien and I’m sixteen years old. Right now one thing is certain. My life SUCKS. Emphasis. I’m nothing special. Just your ordinary teenage girl with ordinary issues but now, now I’m going to do something extraordinary.

“What do you mean?” mom asked raising an eyebrow.

“That I’m serious. I want to leave.” I said with finality.

Mom turned to Dad. “Surely you are going to say something and not just sit there! Your daughter wants to leave her home! She’s not even eighteen for God’s sake!”

Dad stood up and walked toward me. “Are you completely certain that you won’t regret this decision? You can’t leave us just because you and your mom had a petty fight. Wren will have a fit!”

“Dad…I’m absolutely sure that I won’t regret my choice. And I’m not leaving because of our fight. I’ve been thinking about this for quite some time and I know I want this. I’m too much dependent on you guys. I need to be able to take care of myself. As for Wren, you are going to handle him.”

Wren is my over-protective older brother.

“Well,” Dad took in my answer “I suppose you do have a valid reason. But what are you going to do? Where are you going to go?”

“I’m sure I’ll figure something out.”

“Now that is a typical teen remark.”

I huffed. “So? What are you suggesting?”

“I’m suggesting that we make a compromise.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’m going to find you a decent apartment and then I’ll pay your rent for the first month but after that you’re on your own. Within that month you’ll have to get a job and also take care of your studies. Then you also need to have sustenance. We’ll help you in the first two weeks but then again, you’re going to have to take care of yourself after that. If you survive that month then I’ll consider letting you leave but if not, then you’re coming back.” He said with a self-satisfied glint in his eyes.

I looked at him in dis-belief, taking in all the new developments. I took another deep breath.

“Deal.” I said.

He smiled. I turned to mom. She looked like she was about to explode. I smiled and hugged her lightly. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” I said.

I could feel her anger instantly dissipate as she hugged me back. “Well you better be telling the truth.”

Hmm, seems like my life doesn’t suck as much as I had expected.

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After three days now I finally get to move into my apartment. My belongings were already there. Dad had dropped me off. I slowly climbed the two staircases leading to my destination with giddy excitement. On reaching there I carefully took out the key as if it was something sacred and put it in the doorknob. I entered and found my haven. It wasn’t too big but spacious enough. It was painted light blue and white, matching the furniture. I had already put my clothes in the closet yesterday. I went to the bedroom and rolled on the bed with glee. I am victorious!...but wait, I think I’m forgetting something…oh right! Shopping for groceries! Now I can buy and eat whatever I want! Ah, the perks of being free. I quickly got up from the bed and went outside.

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I had put all the necessary things in the cart by the time I reached my destination; the strawberry section. My eyes searched for my favorite brand of canned strawberries. To my surprise only one can remained but it was on the top so I couldn’t get it. Way beyond my reach. I found another cart nearby. I quickly took it and slowly climbed on top of it and just when my hand was about to reach it…just when I was about to take the heavenly delicacy for myself someone took it—no, they grabbed it. They defiled my pure treat! I was about to shout viciously at the inconsiderate person when the cart slipped and I almost fell over. Almost. I glanced up. Someone had caught me.

“…so much for keeping a low profile.” He muttered.

What? Low profile?

The guy put me down and I was about to thank him when I saw my strawberries in his hand. “You!” I spat venomously.

“Me.” he simply replied. This annoyed me even more.

“You took my strawberries!” I said crossing my arms. He looked amused.

“Yours? But I claimed them first.”

“So what? I found them first. Give them back!” I stated in aggravation. Then I looked at him for a moment. If circumstances had been different I’d have considered him pretty handsome…correction—make that incredibly handsome. He had lovely amber eyes with silky looking dark black hair which complimented his fair skin. He looked about two or three years older than me. But…the observation was only for a moment.

“Give it back.” I said.

He smirked. “Huh, I just needed a snack—it really doesn’t matter which one but—” I cut him short. “If it doesn’t matter then take some chocolate or whatever just—” but now I was cut-short.

“But, you didn’t let me finish. Now I want these. I took them so they are mine. Finders keepers.”

“Stop acting like a kid. I saw them first so they are mine. I was about to take them when you rudely intervened.”

“Well then, it’s your fault for being so short.” He sneered.

Now that’s it. No one has ever called me short.

“For your information, I’ve been told that I’m pretty tall for my age.”

“How old are you?”

“Sixtee—hey wait! It’s rude to ask a lady about her age.”

“So you are sixteen?”

I nodded in irritation. “Huh, still short.”

“Why you jerk!”

“Now who’s being rude?” he asked in amusement.

“Shut it and hand me back my strawberries.”

“No.” He said barely hiding his oh-so-obvious amusement.

I took a deep breath. “Well you can act like a kid but I, being the adult, I am going to solve this in a calm and collected manner.” I said straightening.

He raised an eyebrow. “0h is that so? What are you going to do?”

“We are going to solve this by rock-paper-scissor!”

He burst out laughing.

“Hey! Hey jerk! Why are you laughing?!” I demanded.

He wiped imaginary tears from his eyes while trying to stifle his laughter.

“Don’t…don’t laugh.” I said in faint embarrassment. He stopped laughing. Then he moved closer to me.

“Why were you laughing?” I asked again in a slightly peevish tone.

He sighed. “Man, you’re too cute for your own good.” He said

I looked at him in dis-belief. “Excuse me?”

He straightened up. “You can have the strawberries. Besides, they suit you.”

“Thank—hey wait, what’s that supposed to mean?”

“That you’re a kid who likes strawberries.”

“Hey! I’m not a kid! I have my own apartment and I’m sixteen!”

“Oh so you live alone?”

Why is he so curious? “Never mind that. But I am not a kid.”

“My my, I find it sweet when stubborn kids try to act like adults.” He said smirking.

“I’m not a kid and I’m not being stubborn!” I want nothing more than to punch this overly-obnoxious, judgmental person.

“So you sure you don’t want these?”

“Yes.”

“So you do want these?”

“No I didn’t mean—”

“Here then.” He handed me the strawberries.

“Bye strawberry cutie.” He said and left. I looked at him in dis-belief. Then I took the strawberry box and threw it at him. It hit him in the head. Bullseye! He touched his head and turned to me.

“You have them! And never ever show me your face again” I said with triumph.

He smirked again. This smirk seemed quite dangerous. I swallowed silently. Maybe I shouldn’t have thrown that…

“Sweet heart that’s one thing you’ll regret saying. See you soon. Sooner than you think.” With that he left.

Uh oh. His tone was dangerous and evil beyond any doubt? Is he going to try and kill me? Do I need police protection?! And the way he said “sweetheart”… I shuddered at remembering the tone. Yep, he’s definitely a serial killer. He was even talking about something like keeping a low profile…oh no! I haven’t even lived my life yet! I need a will. Wait, what about my apartment???

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I shook my head and continued on with my shopping. I was just being childish and over-dramatic and thinking silly thoughts. I’m an adult now. I need to be responsible. When I was finished with my shopping  I paid and left. There was some sort of commotion outside. My eyes widened on seeing the really big crowd of mass media. They were all swarming around three very, very expensive looking cars. I watched them for a moment. Must be some big celebrity or a business hot-shot. Just as I was about to leave one of the expensive cars drove right beside me and I could’ve sworn I felt like someone was smirking. Evilly. I shook off the unpleasant feeling and went my new ‘home’.

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