Chapter 28: New Leaf

"Anyways how'd you been Rose? You've grown so much since we last saw each other." My uncle gave her a warm smile as we all started to eat breakfast.

Rose kept staring at him like a loyal puppy waiting for his master. She played with her hair, smiling and laughing at his every word.

"Are you and your mom still doing well?" Mom breaks the laughing and smiling.

"Oh. I guess... my mom has been drinking a lot lately.... but we're fine." Rose smiled at us to reassure us but I know she's feeling something inside.

"Anyways.. sorry for crashing by, I'll be going now." Rose stands up attempting to leave. I put my hand on her shoulder and asked her. "Are you okay? Can you stay for a bit to eat?"

Even though I asked and prayed to God for her to leave. I would never want her to feel distressed or anything. She's my friend after all.

"Oh, I'm fine. No need for you to feel worried about me. Have fun with your breakfast." She walks away before waving goodbye to all of us.

We all stare at each other dumbfounded.

"I guess I shouldn't have asked... I mean I was just worried about Rose. I treat her like she's my daughter and seeing her situation just puts me to tears." Mom starts to tear up.

"It's not your fault." My uncle grabs a box of tissues and gives to my mom.

"Anyways how's school, Lisa?" My mommy speaks to break the ice.

"It's been great. I mean no casualties so far as well as I am concerned." I smile at them.

Except for the fact that I had to dress up as a guy and I got chased by horny boys that one time.

"That's good. College, after all, is the best experience for a growing young adult." Mom looked at the shining window, I guess it made her think of her past.

"Remember during college, Jorge always had these chicks flinging into him but he never really seemed to be interested in any one of them." Mommy butts in to give light on how awesome my uncle was.

"Because I was focusing on studying. It's kind of why I came to college in the first place. Unlike some other people." My uncle squinted to my mom.

All of them burst out laughing while I'm here totally confused about everything.

"By the way, I heard you will be temporarily moved to another college right? It's at Co-ED College." Mommy looks at her phone to read the text sent by the Chancellor.

"Yes, I know...."

"Oh, what's wrong honey? Why do you feel upset? " My uncle peeks in asking me.

"It's just that. I'm going to miss my friends especially Matthew, Charles, Damien and maybe Fred..."

"WHO ARE THESE BOYS?" My mom burst out staring at me.

"I mean obviously, Lisa is related to me. She'll be surrounded by boys." My uncle laughs. "I think it's the girls who you don't get along with right Lisa? I haven't really seen you be friends with at least one girl except for Rose."

"Right. I don't really get along with girls." I sigh.

"It's only for a month I think you can survive that long right?" Mom pats me in the back. I smile, "Thanks... I think... I guess I can?.."

"Anyways maybe you should get going. Pack up your things on your dorm on Golden Crown University because you're moving on Monday right?" Mommy reminds me of grabbing me some cash.

"Use that money to get to Golden Crown Academy. It's a bit far from here right?" She looks at Mom and Uncle, both of them nodding to her in agreement.

"Maybe you can invite your friends over here sometime? I would love to meet all of them." My uncle helped me put on my back.

"I guess so... but wouldn't that be awkward? Inviting a bunch of boys here in our house?" I laugh.

"You mean like in those romance movies like in those reverse harems type of things." Mommy's eyes gleam up.

She's always been an otaku in her whole life.

"Anyways, you're already old enough to make decisions for yourself Lisa. So I want you to be responsible alright?" Mom and Mommy give me a big hug while Uncle pats my head. "You've really grown squirt, you're not this little sapling anymore. You've grown into a mighty big tree."

I waved goodbye to them as I went outside. Thinking for the future... I'm a little scared... What will I expect in this new Co-Ed College... Would it go smoothly like what happened at Golden Crown Academy? I mean it's just for a month, right?

Whatever! It's time to turn over a new leaf.