(Next day)
“Flight 401 to Paris, France, now boarding.” A flight attendant said over the intercom. Alyssa grabbed her backpack and boarded the plane. As she sat down in her seat, an overwhelming feeling of sadness enveloped her. Alyssa looked out her window, a single tear slipping down her cheek. And as the plane lifted toward the crystal blue sky, Alyssa began to sob.
********************
Twelve hours later, Alyssa arrived in Paris. After taking French for four years, Alyssa was pretty comfortable with her French but decided to play it safe.
“Parlez vous anglais?” Alyssa asked the man next to her. The man nodded.
“Can you help me find the college?” The man nodded again. He pulled out a map and traced a route for her.
“Thank you.” Alyssa said. The man extended his hand.
“You’re welcome.” Alyssa shook his hand. “My name is Jean-Paul.” Alyssa nodded.
“I’m Alyssa Morgan. Thanks for the directions.”
“It was no problem.” He scribbled a few numbers on the map. “Call me sometime if you want to get together.” Alyssa smiled.
“Look through the book and fill out as many classes as you would like to take.” Alyssa sat down and looked through the English section. Alyssa chose a journalism class (of course), creative writing, AP Brit Lit, a poetry class, and she signed up for the newspaper.
“Okay Alyssa. We’ll see you in the fall.” Alyssa nodded, and left the admissions office. Alyssa walked around the beautiful campus, noting the sparkling lake and fountain, until she came to an office with the sign that read: Housing. Alyssa assumed that meant dorms. She went inside and up to the front desk.
“My name is Alyssa Morgan. I just registered and I was wondering how I could get a dorm.” The man typed her name into the computer, printed up a card, and handed it to Alyssa with a key after charging her $900.00 for room and board. She grabbed her backpack and headed to the dorm. Alyssa located her room and opened the door. Her roommate, Yvette Carlson, looked over her shoulder.
“You must be Alyssa. I’m Yvette.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I start in September. I’m taking the summer to tour France.” Yvette smiled.
“I did the same thing. You’ll have a great time.” I bet, Alyssa thought to herself. Not with Ryan on my mind.
*****************
Ryan Brennon sighed as he lounged in his backyard. he was working on his already perfect tan. His mind lazily drifted to Alyssa, as it often did. There were plenty of college that she could go to in the US. But Ryan couldn’t be mad at her, because going to France had been Alyssa dream.
“God, I miss her.” Ryan said out loud.
“I don’t know who ‘she’ is but I’m sure I mis her too.” Ryan turned around and saw Lynn Michaels standing by his back door.
“Lynn!” Ryan exclaimed. Lynn smiled and hugged Ryan. “What are you doing here? How long are you staying?”
“Slow down Ryan.” Lynn said, laughing. “I’m here for the summer. That answers both questions.”
“It’s great to see you Lynn.” Lynn nodded.
“You too.” She paused. “Where’s Alyssa?” Ryan looked down at the ground.
“She’s in Paris, touring it for the summer. In the fall, she’s attending a French American college.”
“How ironic.” Ryan looked at her, puzzled. “I decided to to South Florida University. I thought she would stay here with you.”
“You know Alyssa. She always wanted to get out of Tampa, to be somebody. She could still be a journalist if she stayed here in Florida.”
“How are things between you two?” Ryan looked at his reflection in the crystal blue green water of the pool.
“She never even told me goodbye.” Ryan laughed bitterly. “I’m not even a part of her life anymore. Alyssa wants to be a journalist and she won’t let anything stand in her way. Not even her friends.”
“I miss her.” Lynn said softly. Ryan smiled sadly.
“I know I do too. She’ll be sorry that she’s not here.”
******************
Trista Morgan set the bowl of ice cream on her swollen belly and flipped through Teen People. She had three months left in her pregnancy, and she would not be able to attend college. Another one of my many mistakes, Trista thought to herself. Trista sighed as she remembered what her mom had said after Alyssa left. (Flashback)
“I can’t believe my baby’s gone.” Jane Morgan said tearfully. “Gone to make her mark in the world.”
“She’s going to make a great journalist.” Jane nodded.
“Why can’t you be more like your sister?” Jane asked bitterly.
“Because we’re two different people. I’m sorry I’m not little miss perfect.”
“Alyssa has a good head on her shoulders. She doesn’t make foolish, stupid mistakes.” Trista laughed, but it was not a happy sound.
“I’m sorry that I make mistakes, like every other human being. But Lyss is your pride and joy. Her exceptional writing abilities made her your favorite. I’m the stupid child, who is the only one who makes mistakes.”
(End Flashback)
Jane had slapped her for that. But it was the truth. Mira was perfect. Alyssa was perfect. Trista wasn’t. And deep down, Trista knew her parents loved Alyssa more than they would ever love her.
Chapter Nine
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