CHAPTER 12- THE CHANGE I MUST EMBRACE

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Chloe was silent all through the bus trip back to the hotel. She noticed Skye swap his seat with a nerdy looking student to sit close to her but she paid no heed to him.

"Hey, I'm sorry." Skye spoke first breaking the silence.

"What is it again? Just leave me be." Chloe countered.

Skye reached out to touch her shoulder but he decided against it. He had caused her unnecessary stress and he didn't intend to add to it if he still intends to get on her good side. He leaned back into his seat and closed his eyes, allowing the cool evening breeze caress his face.

Chloe picked up her iPod and got buried in a cloud of her own thoughts, with beautiful songs as company.

After thirty five minutes on the road, the driver pulled over and the extraction process began. Each student had to show their ID card at the reception before gaining entrance into the lounge. In no time, everyone was resting and getting set for bed.

In the comfort of her room, Chloe took out her phone to call her mother.

"Hi mum."

"Baby, I just got off work. I miss you. I have been trying to reach you. Are you alright Hun?" Her mother's voice rang out at the end of the receiver.

"The competition was this evening mum. I had to keep my phone away. I'm alright mum. We won!!!!!" Chloe screamed to the point she startled her mum.

"Oh my goodness! That is so awesome baby. You get to go live your dreams. I'm sorry your father and I couldn't make it to watch your performance at the competition."

"I understand mum. You have to work and dad's away in Korea trying to seal the deal with the manufacturers. It is alright."

"Oh baby, aren't you the best?"

"As always mum. Get some rest and dinner. I can't wait to see you tomorrow. I love you." Chloe grinned.

"I will my darling. I'm so proud of you. I love you too baby."

Chloe dropped the call, ate a few cookies in the jar which she ordered from the snack bar and fell asleep.

Morning came and all the students were called upon to the dining room for breakfast before their return.

They were seated when Ms Sheila stood to address them. "I must say a big thank you to all of you for giving your best yesterday in the Balletopia contest which granted us the victory. Swan Princesses are the best. And to you, my dear audience that came out en masse to cheer and support the team, we love you. The huge cheque just came in a few hours ago. Girls, you are going to Las Vegas.☺️"

The students screamed excitedly.

Ms Sheila was able to yell, "Enjoy your meal!!!" before going to arrange for their departure.

2 weeks later...

"Chloe hurry up or you're going to be late."

"Mum, relax. The flight is in two hours." Chloe shot back.

"I know, but you have to make a good first impression. I don't need you panting before boarding the plane. What are you doing? Your food is getting cold."

"Coming mum, I need to get everything else in place." Chloe was out in a few minutes. Her eyes popped when she saw her mum had made lasagne and grilled chicken.

"Oh mum, you shouldn't have." She kissed her cheeks and sat down to eat hungrily.

"Haha, you deserve it baby. Eat up. Let me pack you some chicken. You'd need it as a snack on the plane or when you land... whichever suits you."

"You know best mum. I'd leave it to you." Chloe said between mouthfuls.

Soon, the doorbell rang.

"Are you expecting someone mum?" Chloe's raised her eyebrows.

"You'd see in due time." Her mum's eyes shot up from the food she was packing.

"Oh ok. You'd get the door or I should?"

"Nonsense child, finish your meal. I'd get it."

Chloe watched her mum with keen interest as she walked towards the door.

With a wide grin on her face, her voice broke out. "Welcome honey."

"Oh my gosh 😮! Dad?!" Chloe rushed to hug him.

"It's so good to see you too my precious." Her dad said.

"Mum, you knew all along. You're unbelievable."

"Darling, I wanted to surprise you."

"And believe me mum, you have."

"It's good to be back." Chloe's dad said hugging his daughter again.

"Alright, let's get you ready for Las Vegas." Her mum screeched.

"Congratulations baby. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks Dad."

It was good to see everyone eat at the table again and it saddened Chloe that she was going to leave her mum almost alone in California.

Then she spoke. "Dad, are you back for good? I feel so terrible leaving mum almost all by herself."

"Shush baby, you're not leaving me. You have to live life for yourself. I already had my fun. Besides, we have social media and Skype 😁." Her mother teased.

"I know mum, but it's not exactly the same and you know I'm right."

"Yes, you are. It's not the same but, we embrace change as it comes, that's what makes us better. I'd adapt my dear."

"Dad?"

"I'm listening to you talk dear. Of course, I saw this day unfold way before the year started. That is why I put in a transfer back to California six months ago and the good news is, I'd be sent back here after the upgrade is complete in Korea."

"Oh honey, and you didn't say."

"I didn't want it to be a false alarm. I wanted to be sure before stating it, now I am." He smiled at the two ladies in the house.

"Yay!!! I'm so happy Dad. That's good news." Chloe squealed.

A beeping sound went off indicating they had an hour to get to the airport. Chloe had set a timer to keep track of time.

"That's my cue mum. Time to go. I am so going to miss you." She hugged her mum tightly and a small sobbing sound escaped her throat.

"Oh baby, don't cry. I will miss you too but, cheer up. I'd call you every day."

"Okay mum."

"I'm going to miss you dad." She fell into his embrace and broke into a barrage of tears.

"Hush now my love. You have to take this opportunity to be a better version of yourself. I'm always with you." He handed her a shiny silver bracelet with her name crafted on it.

"Oh my, this is beautiful dad. Thank you." She wiped her tears and brought her left hand forward for her dad to try it on.

"See, just perfect." He said.

"I got you something special too darling." Her mother's voice echoed in the hall.

"You did?"

"Of course, open the box under the dining table."

"Mum? What is it?"

"Just open it lady. Do, don't ask."

"Okay." Chloe gasped when she saw the contents of the box.

Her mother had gotten her a full ballet costume with matching multi-coloured shoes.

"Oh mum, this is really beautiful and unexpected." Tears welled up in her eyes as she beheld the gift.

"Honey, you are welcome. Now, put that in your hand luggage and let's get you to the airport." With that, the whole family drove to the airport in Chloe's car.

"I'm really going to miss the car."

"Don't worry baby, it'd be looked after. Besides, your dad is here now. He'd upgrade it soon enough."

"I love you both and I mean that." She bear hugged her parents.

"And we love you too. Time to go in Hun." They chorused.

Breaking away from the embrace, they all went into the airport and checked her in. Soon, the announcement was made that it was time for boarding.

"That's my plane. I'd call when I get settled mum. And dad, please take care of her. She works too hard." Chloe smiled before rushing to the waiting room to queue up in front of the security guard before boarding the plane.

"Let's go home darling. Our daughter has just taken a big leap in the right direction. We have to support her as her parents." Chloe's dad said before leaving the airport, hand in hand with his beautiful wife.

The flight was rather uneventful and it was just how Chloe liked it. She had observed the "turn off your cell phone rule" and was enjoying the view from thousands of feet above the ground. Everything looked so small like stick figures in a badly crafted drawing by a beginner. She missed home and couldn't wait to see her parents again.

"Chill Chloe, you just hugged them a few minutes ago. They'd be waiting for your return soon. Get to Las Vegas first, silly." She said to herself.

The announcement for landing was made; Chloe hated the loud noise that came with the whirring of the plane and the scraping of its tyres as it landed on the tarmac. She was just glad to regain her hearing sense after the ringing in her ears that lasted for about ten minutes.

"Phew, change begins with me. I am going to make the most of my stay in college to be the best I can be. A great ballerina." She pumped her fists in the air and got a few stares from an elderly couple that smiled at her for the enthusiasm she exhibited.

In no time, she had checked out of the airport with her luggage wheeled sluggishly behind her. She then hailed a cab to take her to the Honeybloomers Dance Academy.

"Hello sir, please I need to go to the Honeybloomers Dance Academy. Do you know where that is?" She inquired.

"Of course, you must be new here if you're asking that question girl. Hop in." The driver said with a smile.

"Yes sir, I am a new college student." Chloe said.

"Figures, you'd enjoy the academy. It's an amazing place. Everything you need to learn is in place. Just focus and you'd make it big." He admonished.

"Thank you for your advice sir. I will heed to it."

"Here we are."

"Oh my goodness 😮, this place is amazing. How much is my fare?" She asked.

"Just $30."

"Here you go." Chloe paid and alighted from the cab. She didn't even hear the driver tell her to have a great time in Las Vegas. She was mesmerized and gawking at the monument in front of her. The school was beautiful on all levels and she couldn't wait to get acquainted with the environment.

She fished out her phone first to call her mother.

"Hello mum."

"Thank God baby, I was worried that I started watching the news."

"Oh mum, you worry too much. I'm fine. I just got to the academy and it is breathtakingly beautiful. How is Dad?"

"That's amazing. He's fine."

"I can speak for myself." He teased. "Hello pumpkin, I'm fine. Are you comfortable?"

"Yes dad, I was just telling mum how beautiful the place is. I love it."

"That's amazing darling. Stay out of trouble. We love you. If you're feeling too pressured, call us. We'd be here to listen." Her father said.

"Awwwwn dad, I'd keep that in mind. Love you mum, love you dad. I know I'm on speaker." Chloe grinned.

"Sure! Atta girl. We love you too sweetie 😘."

"I gotta get my stuff inside my dorm room now. Bye." The call went dead with a click.

"Room 295, cool." She said aloud.

"Excuse me? Did you say 295?" A brunette haired girl asked.

"Yeah hi. I did, why?" Chloe replied.

"That's my room too. Forgive my manners, I'm Lopez."

"I'm Chloe. Nice to meet you."

"Oh, I know you. From Swan Princesses right?"

"Oh my goodness, yes. How did you know that?"

"Haha, we watch the finale of the Balletopia contest every year to see potential students before they even get here."

"Wow." Was all Chloe could say.

"Yes, others arrived here yesterday. Come on, let's go or we'd be late for the orientation."

"Alright then." Chloe smiled at her fortune. Another tour guide in place in Las Vegas and for some reason, it made her think of Skye. She brushed off the thought of him like a cow would swat away flies on its body and walked side by side with her new friend Lopez. She was looking forward to exploring the academy and also winning competitions in future. She was ready.