1 Chapter 1

There are a lot of things I don't know in terms of surviving. I don't know how to cook besides from hot dogs and eggs that I usually burn. I don't know how to do grocery shopping, I don't know how to clean a house, let alone my room. 

So if you're asking how the hell I'm going to survive a boarding school, in Paris, eight hours away from New York which I consider my home for that last 18 years. Well I think I'm gonna figure that out myself without burning the entire school.

but here are the things that I know about Paris: it has the Eiffel Tower and its surrounded by lights that's why it was called the City of Lights. There are a lot of tourist spots as well, there's Arc de Triomphe and Louvre, the art museum where Mona Lisa and the statue with the missing arm lives. And also you can't miss the shopping centers and cafes that you can see in every corner. The foods are good, most especially the desserts and wine they say. All are good and perfect except for the fact that most cafes are surrounded by people who are smoking, like a chimney scattered in the streets of Paris.

two days ago when my dad broke the news to me that I will go to a boarding school in Paris, I freaked out, Literally! I tried yelling, not the typical 'yelling' but my own version of yelling which is just an octave higher than my usual tone, I tried pleading, begging but not crying. I would never do that in front of my father most especially my mother!

But I know that all the pleading, begging and yelling is nonsense. He made up his mind and there's no way to change that. He declared that this boarding school is the best for me since it will be the best learning experience. Yeah right!  

"dad, I can have the best learning experience if you didn't locked me here!" I don't know where I got that, sometimes, I just feel like I'm a prisoner dress like a princess

"No, don't start with me Hailey. This is the best gift that I can give you, that neither your mom can't take away from you" sadness filled his eyes but he brushed it away immediately. I know what he mean. I hugged him, thankful for the gift but scared of what will come. 

The last thing that I did is to search any things about Parisians, I saw that they appear to be rude because they seem distant to the tourists but truth is, they just have their own way of being polite. Maybe I'll figure that out too soon. But Arthur said that Parisian only become friendly when they got to know you. So the problem here is, how can they get to know me if they won't even be friends with me. ugh! I'm really not sure if Paris is a good thing for me.

it's not because I loath the city, come on, it's Paris. The City of Lights!  The most romantic City! The place where most teenagers wants to go because of the Eiffel tower. I would appreciate if I will just stay here for a vacation, but to living and studying here is just way out of my imagination. 

I just need time to adjust and work things out. Its not like have a choice.

"Hailey, stop frowning" 

"Im not" I glance up to the women in her perfectly pressed iron dress and five inches stilettos. not the best outfit for a mother who will be sending her only daughter away

My mother stares at me with those perfect do-eye make up and nude lipstick. My father in a black polo shirt and loafers sat beside me. I know they need to go back to their hotel room because they need to go back to New York first thing in the morning tomorrow. 

"Well Hails, I guess you're on your own now"

My body is frozen like when reality usually hits me. I nearly cried when he pulls me into a bear hug. "Take care of yourself okey? you'll be fine soon. Just call us when you need anything" yeah soon, I wonder how soon is that. "just not every time, try doing it first" he adds knowing my lack of knowledge when it comes on taking care of myself will lead me bombarding his phone.

My mother stand in front of me "you'll have a wonderful experience here" she says for the hundredth time since they told me about Paris two days ago. She pulls me into a hug , a casual hug that doesn't show any affection. Well I'm not disappointed with it, nothing new.

My father pulled me into a final hug, I try to calm myself, fighting the urge to cry. I bite my lip when I failed to do the breathing exercise he thought me when I was still a kid. Inhale count one to two and exhale count one to three. I failed. His skin smells like the usual body spay that he use. "I will call you and check everything out as soon as we get home" he says before holding me in arms length.

" I will miss you, Hail" 

I started crying, my father is the only one that calls me that. I wonder when Im gonna hear that again not over the phone. 

"I love you too, dad. Take care of Khalisi for me"

"of course.." he smiled "she'll miss you, no one will over feed her anymore" he laughs, so am I. He usually scolds me for over feeding khalisi, he says she looks more like a pig than a dog.

"I take her every morning for a walk and play catch before she have her dinner" I quickly defend, still smiling with tears in my eyes.

"I know, I know, I'll try to do that too.."

We laughed together and this is one of those moments that I will not be having for the next six months.

"Honey, are you done there? we should be going" my mom called from the outside.

dad rolls his eyes for his kill joy wife. My tears coming back to life. 

"I'll be there in a minute!" he yells back

He wiped my tears like what he usually does and kiss my forehead goodbye.