Chapter-3

Ava's POV:

"Are you sure, dude?" My bestie Mia asked for the 100th time.

"Surer than ever, I replied.

"If you are happy with that decision, then I have nothing to say," she said.

"I know, Bae, even though I don't want to move away from you all, but you know what my mom is like, right?

I want to be free from all this. I want to live my own life.

She loves me so much and is overprotective to the extent that I feel suffocating, I say.

"I know; I can understand," she replied.

"No, Mimi, you can't. You have no idea what happened yesterday," I say, continuing my story.

"I put my headset on, and I was lying on the floor beside my bed. I didn't hear her calling my name, as the music was loud. And guess what? She searched the whole house and burst my phone with missed calls.

She got worried that I was lost. Seriously mom? I thought to myself. And this is just one example; there are many like this," I said, and Mia burst into laughter.

"I love her as well; I love her a lot. She really outdid herself raising me and Olivia after Dad's death, but I... I don't know. I can't stand this all my life.

We have been constantly changing places because she is worried about security.

What worse can happen to us? Will someone kidnap me? or kill me? I am just one normal girl, just like any other.

I am 16 and I am tired of living under her overprotective wing. She doesn't even be that protective of Olive, and my own sister feels jealous of me at times.

Do you feel like I am ranting?" I ask.

"Haha, I am all ears," Mia replied.

"So when are you telling your mom that you got admission to Forks High School?" she asked.

"You know how she will react, right? I am surely going to lie. I am confused. I don't want to hurt her, but I don't want my life to be in one place. I can't stay under my mom's protection all the time. I want to live free.

I want to be independent, even if that costs a lie to my mom. I am not selfish, right?" I ask, being unsure. I have mixed feelings about this.

"No, bae, you got this, and I am really happy for you that now you are going to live your life the way you want," she said.

"Thank you, Mia. I will be your bestie no matter what, no matter where." I say.

"Me too; I love you," she said.

"Me more," I replied.

We both talked for a while and then hung up the call.

I love my mom, but I want to have my own life as well. I can't lie to my mom, but I really have to. Maybe I will always remember that I lied to her, because I never did. So, yeah, it counts as my first lie.

"Ava, sweetie, the dinner is ready," my mom yelled from downstairs.

I took a deep breath. "Ava, it's now or never," I tell myself.

"I will be there in 5, "I say, and I get up.

After a minute or two, I made my way to the dining table.

"I made your favorite white sauce pasta," she said.

I smiled at her. "Thanks, Mom," I say.

"But I like red sauce pasta," Olive said.

"Maybe tomorrow," my mom replied, and Olive sighed.

"Do you know you are obsessed with your elder daughter?" Olive asked.

Her words hurt me a bit. What she was saying was not false, but it felt like a pang in my heart.

"Say's who? I love both of my daughters equally," my mom replied.

"Mum, Olive I have something to say: "I cut their conversation short.

"What is it?" Mum Asked.

"Mom, you know I was looking into other schools, right?" I asked, and she nodded.

"I got admission to one of the best schools, but it's a bit far from her, "I say.

"Ah, hmm," Mom says skeptically.

"Where exactly?" she asked.

"Seattle. The Northwest school," I say, looking at her reaction.

"But isn't that far from here?" she asked.

"Seattle and California are 2 hours from the flight and half a day by road, "I say.

"Still, isn't that too far? Far from family?" she asked.

"Mom, I will turn 16 soon. And don't worry, it's a boarding school. We will have good security as well," I said.

"Do you want to go?" she asked.

I simply nod, but deep down, I am guilty as well.

Mom really worked hard to raise us, but that doesn't mean she can restrict me from growing. She is so overprotective, and I want to be on my own, maybe at least for some time.

"Okay, but promise me that you will take care of yourself and stay alert on the roads, and you need to be here on your birthday with your family," she said, and that made me smile wide.

Yassss, she accepted...woohoo! Now I can be on my own, but haven't I lied? Should I tell her the truth? Maybe I should not pull the strings too far.

"Thank you, Mom." I hugged her, and she hugged me back.

"Now, Mom is all mine, Olive hugged from the back. We three shared a group hug.

"My girls are all big now," she whispered, and I giggled.

"I love you, Mom. I love you, Olive," I say.

"I love you two," mom said.

"When are you going?" Mom asked.

"Tomorrow night," I said. "I will book a flight," I replied.

"But isn't that too early?" she asked.

"Mom, school is starting on Monday. I need to go there and settle in, I say.

She nodded with a sad smile. She has started to miss me already.

We all had dinner, and I went back to my room.

I felt like jumping around; I was so excited. I had to pack my clothes and my stuff.

I got my phone and texted Mia with excitement. "Hey, I told Mom about school, and she agreed to it," I said.

I was waiting for Mia's response.

"Wow, great, so she's okay with you studying at Forks?" She texted, and all my excitement faded away, and guilt began to build up.

"No, I told her that I was attending school in Seattle, "I replied.

"It's great that she accepted, but what if you get caught?" She texted back.

"I don't know, I replied, not knowing what to text, but I am sure that I would be living in constant fear and guilt.

"I am happy for you, but be careful," she texted back.

"Thank you, sure," I replied back.

I tried to sleep, but I couldn't, so instead I thought of packing the luggage.

I went through my wardrobe, picked a few clothes, and packed them in the suitcase. I don't care much about fashion. fashion. Jeans, tank tops, sweatshirts, rarely crop tops, and dresses.

Forks, I will be there soon. I just hope everything goes well there and I can prove to Mom that I can be on my own and still remain safe.