Abigail Lacoste
It was funny to think that all my friends already had boyfriends, were going to parties, getting drunk, while I stayed in my room surrounded by books. At only twenty-three, I was in my fourth semester of a psychology degree at a modest college in Texas, but I dreamed of a scholarship in California, where my aunt lives and where I was dying to do my internship at one of the hospitals there. When I opened my laptop and saw the result I’d been hoping for, I nearly fell over when I read the bolded word: “Accepted.” I took off my glasses, blinked a few times, and even pinched myself. I had been accepted into one of California’s top universities—I could finish my degree and intern at the hospital of my dreams. It felt surreal, and I had to tell my parents, who were sleeping in the room next to mine. I stood up from the pink chair in front of my battered wooden desk, slipped on my slippers, tied a knot in my robe, and ran as fast as I could, bursting through my bedroom door and heading straight to theirs.
"Accepted!" I shouted loud enough to wake them as I jumped on top of them after flinging open the door.
"Sweetheart, what’s going on?" My dad was the first to wake up. I hadn’t realized it was already past midnight and they were both fast asleep after a long day at work.
"Dad, I got accepted." My mom sat up in bed, realizing what was happening. Her eyes were already red, and I knew it wasn’t just about my achievement—it was because I’d be far from home. "I’m going to California."
"My baby." She pulled me into a hug, stroking my hair.
I’m the youngest of three siblings. The oldest is Ítalo, twenty-nine, a police officer in our small town. The other is Sebastian, twenty-five, who owns a gym. None of us followed the family business of running our small convenience store. Sadly, our parents were disappointed by our choices, but happy to see each of us following our own path.
"Mom, I’m twenty-three. I’m a grown woman."
"You’ll always be our little girl, Abigail," my dad said, pulling me into his arms.
I could’ve easily finished college here in our small town, but something pulled me away, and I couldn’t explain the feeling I had whenever I thought about living in California. It was my destiny—I was certain of it.
The next day, the whole family knew about the news, including my aunt. She lived alone, never married, and never had children. She was thrilled to know she’d have my company and excited to show me around California. I had always been a very responsible girl, never interested in parties or meaningless flings, which is why I guarded my virginity tightly, waiting for the right time and the person who would make my heart race.
Three hectic weeks passed getting ready for the move. The transfer to the new university was already completed, and my aunt was waiting for me. I pulled my suitcase outside the house and saw my family gathered for the farewell. It would be hard being away, but I knew it was necessary.
"Take care, sweetheart, don’t forget to call us every day," my dad said, while my mom cried uncontrollably in one of my brothers’ arms.
"I will, I promise." Smiling, I looked over and saw Ítalo. He hugged me tightly before handing me a gold medal—his favorite one.
"It’s your medal from when you won your first soccer championship." It was something he’d always loved and probably would have pursued if he weren’t a police officer.
"It always brought me luck. Every time I was scared, I’d hold it tightly and whisper to myself that everything would be okay." My eyes burned with tears I was trying not to shed. My brothers had always been there to protect me, and now I’d be without them. My family meant everything to me. "When you feel scared or homesick, hold it tight and remember—you’re strong, and we’ll always be here for you."
"Thank you, big bro." I hugged him again. My mom was still crying in Sebastian’s arms. He gently pulled away from her and came over to me, taking my glasses off and cleaning the lenses with his shirt.
"Be careful with the boys. If anything happens, call me and I’ll break their faces." I burst out laughing, hugging my middle brother. He always thought violence solved everything. "I’m not joking. Any guy who messes with you will have to go through me."
"Alright, it’s my turn to say goodbye to my little girl." My mom pushed him aside, wiping her tears. "Just know that you’ll always have a place to come back to. Go as many times as you want, but your home will always be here, and your family will always be waiting with open arms."
My whole family’s embrace warmed my heart. I was happy knowing they loved me. We weren’t a perfect family, but we always had so much love and care for one another—something that often doesn’t exist these days, as parents grow distant from their children, trying to fill the void with material things and forgetting what matters most: love.
It took hours to reach my destination. Looking around, I spotted a huge sign that read “Welcome.” My aunt ran toward me and pulled me into her arms. I was as happy as could be about the changes happening in my life. It wouldn’t be easy to start over, but I knew it was the right thing to do. Even though I was scared, I was ready to face life. Holding the medal my brother gave me, I looked out the car window, smiling as I took in the streets lined with tall trees and luxurious buildings. Traffic was heavy, and my aunt kept honking.
"Usually, it’s not this bad, but today there’s a big political event with a few candidates and their proposals," she explained as I kept looking around. "People are out with their flags, yelling and cheering for those government idiots."
"You’ve always hated politics." Smiling, I looked at her. My aunt always said politicians were great actors who loved fooling voters.
"I can’t stand those arrogant men. The worst of them are the governors. They promised us so much during the elections, and to this day, they’ve done nothing for the lower class. All they want is to take from us to line their already fat pockets." She ran a hand through her hair and checked her watch. "There’s one exception. He’s a good man and, as far as I know, has never been involved in any scandals."
She honked again. Traffic was at a standstill, and people walked past us waving flags—probably on their way to the event—shouting one of the candidate’s names.
"Órion," I repeated, hearing a shout from a blonde woman who passed by the window.
"How did you know it was him? Órion’s trying to get re-elected as governor. Very handsome man from a billionaire family." She shook her head and looked at me. "I don’t know why he got into politics. A powerful CEO like him has never known hardship. How could he possibly know how to help people like us? At least he keeps his nose clean. Like I said, he’s a good man—maybe one of the best to hold office." I shrugged.
"Maybe he just wants to get richer," I joked.
"Can he even? He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. From what I read, his whole family is involved in politics, and his dream was always to become governor. He got it, but on the same day his dream came true, he lost his wife." I looked at her, surprised. My aunt hated politics but was completely obsessed with politicians. "What? I’m a journalist—I have to know these things."
"I didn’t say anything." I raised my hands.
Before she could reply, her phone rang. She answered and spoke briefly to the person on the other end.
"Change of plans. The girl who was supposed to cover today’s event got sick. I’ll have to replace her. You don’t mind coming with me, do you?"
"To the politicians’ event you hate?" She laughed.
"Of course not. Let’s go—I’m dying to see you in action."
Everything in my life was happening way too fast. I...