Change of Hart

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 8:15 AM.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" My anxious Mother asks as she pushes a blonde strand of hair behind her ear. We are about to reach the terminal as we walk quickly through the large crowd. My Mother insisted on carrying my luggage, which consisted of my single suitcase-, I wouldn't let her take my carry on.

"I'm sure, I've always wanted to do this. Don't worry Mum, I'll be fine," I try to reassure her, because we've never been apart for more than a few weeks. Growing up without a Father figure made me grow closer to her, so being apart from her worried me that she might grow lonesome. "but will you be fine?" Looking up to see her facial reaction morph from fear to a small smile, she pats my back softly.

"Oh, don't worry about Mom. I'm worried about you in a country you've never been to before."

At the beginning of grade twelve I arranged my flight to spend my second and last semester of grade 12 living with a family in Wolverhampton. I would take a flight to London then a 2 and a half cab to the family I was staying with. It was a program I had entered with my school back in Toronto, and I only really needed money for my flights and extra spending money that didn't include food because that was covered by the program. I simply pull out my notebook and briefly scan the notes I had jotted down based around my upcoming trip. I would be staying with Geoff and Karen Payne In their remote house in the fairly big city. My nerves begun to get the better of me; I didn't know much about the family besides the couples name as well as they had two older girls who didn't live at home anymore, and a son that was about my age but no longer was in schooling, for reasons I didn't know. Basically only things my principal told me about them. "I'll try not to worry, Mom. But I can't help being nervous for both us." My orange-hazel eyes flicker from the ground to her face as we step into the terminal. This was it. I look at the only person here with me, and smile softly. My younger sister couldn't be here as she had school starting at 8:30.

My flight was called, and people started to board the plane. I look to my Mom, holding my arms out to embrace her. "I love you Mom, I'm going to miss you so much." I say against her shoulder as she pulls me in close.

"I love you too, skype me as soon as you land, Addie okay?" Mom says as she pulls away from me, arms still rested at the sides of my small shoulders. She never really used my nickname unless in situations like this; it was an old childhood name I used to be called, and most people did still call me by it. Although my real name was Adeline, I preferred Addie. A small glass like tear rolls down her cheek and I immediately feel horrible. I loathed making people cry.

I nod, holding tears back because I know I wont see her for at least until the summer, which could be 6 or more months from now. "I will, Mom. Say good-bye to Charlie for me okay?" Taking a few steps back, I prepare myself to leave from her sight.

"I will." She says and paints a small pained smile as she watches me check in with the lady at the desk. She checks my passport and ticket, and within a minute I'm ready to go through. Looking back to my Mother, I say my last good-bye and begin to board the plane.

1:07 PM

We're 5 hours into the flight and for the past 4 hours and 50 minutes I've been wishing I had bought first class seats. I haven't found a comfortable spot since we took off, and the wafting stench from the woman in front of me was starting to nauseate me. I don't know how much more of this I can take. Although my dream for 1st class was short lived when I came to the realization of how bad the stench had grown- maybe even literally.

My Mom was a single mom as my Father had passed when I was just 5 from a mining accident, I still remember the funeral as clear as yesterday. Since My Mom had to support not only me but also herself and my younger sister who was from another man, I had to pay for this trip myself through strenuous work busting tables at a higher-class restaurant I was indeed lucky to have landed. Gladly, I quit my job to take this trip and it made me smile most everyday, and laugh at those I left back in Toronto. I grew up in a simple neighborhood, my Mom working as a nurse made me babysitter for Charlie when she worked nightshifts.

I sit deeper into the seat to seek comfort and sleep. Closing my eyes, I drift off into a short, yet disturbed sleep.

Heathrow Airport, London. 5:07 PM.

After what it seemed like relentless flight I decided to stop for dinner in the airport before a caught a two-hour cab to Wolverhampton. The café was quaint and smelled deeply of a sweet baked bread aroma that seemed to waft throughout the airport. The line at the counter was long, and I was glad I had beaten the crowd as I sat down at a two-seated table at the back of the small restaurant. I pull out my IPhone and sift slowly through twitter as I slowly drink my green tea and nibble on my sandwich. After checking my favorite celebrities twitters, like Ellen's, Olly Mur's, and John Mayer's I throw away the sandwich wrapper and am on my way to find a cab.

Wolverhampton, 7:45 PM

After paying the cab, I take my belongings and trot up the stairs to the beautiful, surprisingly large house. No, large was an understatement. Mansion was a better word- it was a modern yet almost vintage looking house that had that 'homey' feel to it. I couldn't imagine living in this house for the next 6 months, rather then meeting these people who so much as owned it. I rap my knuckles on the gray painted door and wait no longer than 5 seconds for someone to answer the door.

A warm looking middle-aged woman with shoulder length blonde hair and vibrant blue eyes greets me at the door. Her smile puts one on mine, and immediately I feel slightly less nervous than what I had been.

"Why hello! I'm so glad you're here- we're just about to begin supper. Come inside." She ushers me inside and closes the door behind me.

"I'm sorry for being so late, traffic was terrible," I say, glad I hadn't missed dinner that I was supposed to attend. I flash an apologetic smile as she offers for her to remove my jacket. I'm honestly surprised, the manners are just polite vibe that I had already experienced here in England was far more prominent than Canada; or the U.S.A. as far as I'm concerned. "Thanks." I say as she hangs it up in a large closet, then steps aside.

"I'll show you around the house after supper, but we've got to get ourselves acquainted don't we?"

I laugh softly, "Well It smells fantastic, Mrs. Payne." I take in the salty, yet sweet aroma of the house. It's a hint of rosemary that my own Mom cooks with quite often.

As we enter a Victorian style kitchen, I observe the area in awe, but manage to make sure my jaw doesn't gape open. These people must have money. The white furnished cupboards, dark oak windowpanes leaves a peaceful vibe, yet homely as well. "Oh, please call me Karen!" She turns to look at me with a friendly look, "and I'm glad you think so, we're having Roast pork and Yorkshire pudding just for the occasion of a newcomer to the family!" She seemed so friendly, and welcoming it was hard to wrap my head around it.

"Yum, I love Yorkshire pudding. My mom makes it sometimes." Moving farther into the kitchen, the smells become more mouth watering. Just beyond the kitchen and through glass French doors, I spot what must be Geoff Payne and his son whose name I forget.

"Really?" Karen asks, surprised as she stirs a pot of gravy on the stove slowly. She adds a few things then must have decided she had finished. "I always assumed Yorkshire pudding was an English thing."

"My Grandparents and parents are from England, so that must be why." I shrug. She smiles in understanding, and walks to the French doors.

"Supper's on!"

Everyone gathers at the table, and once the food is dishes onto the plates the chatter begins.

"Addeline, this is my Husband, Geoff and my son Liam." Karen introduces her family after she shovels a spoonful of mashed potatoes into her mouth. I've begun on my pork, almost done. I look up from my plate and smile at the two of them. I've noticed Liam looking at me, smiling back. He was handsome, why had I seen him before? His brown eyes reflect his brunette hair, his angular jawbone sets a shadow upon his neck, and his appearance makes me breathless. I try not to stare and I keep my glances subtle, unseen. I do catch him briefly stealing a glance; butterflies begin to soar. Through the mixed chatter I've collected they're a normal –yet wealthy- and polite family. They politely ask me about my life, and I tell them about how I've grown up. It's a bit of a painful topic, really. They've grown up as an unbroken family- while me, well…

"Addeline," Liam says, looking up from his plate of dinner. I merely spit out my food, but manage to keep it together. "Have you ever been to Europe?"

I shake my head sadly. "No, but I've always wanted to. I'm glad I'm here."

Karen smiles as she relieves herself from the table. "You're such a sweet girl, we're glad you're here."

8:17 PM

Karen organized me into my room; it's a spacious light blue painted room that would allow a great amount of sunlight on a sunny day. The beds a dark blue queen sized, and when Karen had opened the door I couldn't believe what I'd be living in for the next few months. I couldn't believe anything, really. The incredibly good-looking guy that lives in the same house as me, the amazing house and room… the fact that I'm in London. I place my clothes into the drawer and closet, sift out my things and call it home. This relaxing feeling was so soothing; the only thing that was wrong was being away from home.

A familiar voice at the door follows a soft harmonized knock. "Can I come in?" I swerve around, finding the beautiful Liam at my door. I swear, I've seen him before; I just couldn't figure out where from.

"Yeah, sure" I say, opening the door wide. Liam steps in, admiring the room.

"So, if you need a ride to your new school tomorrow, I can quickly drop you off. I've got to head out early." Liam offers, resting his stance against the bed. I can see his muscular arms, the lining of his finely sculpted abs through his shirt. What did I do to deserve this again?

Smiling, I continue to fold laundry and place them in their place accordingly. "That would be great actually, what time?"

He returns the smile; consequently, his eyes close slightly smaller when he does so. "We'll leave at 8:15 then?"

"Sounds fantastic!" I say, relieved I wouldn't have to catch the city bus on my first day. "So, you graduated last year?"

He nods, studying my face. "Yeah, seems like last month really, it's bizarre how time flies."

"Tell me about it." I say with a small breath, finishing my unpacking.

Liam looks towards the door and flashes a small smile, yet again. "I've got to get to bed, see you in the morning?"

Keeping back a smile with Liam is near impossible. "Yeah- see you in the morning."

I watch him leave, or really eye him as he leaves. He had been sporting a simple white tee shirt and jeans that hung around his waist loosely. I'm about to step into the washroom with all my toiletries until Karen counters me, although sweetly she seems to have a serious look on her face.

"Adeline, can I speak to you for a minute?" She asks seriously. I can tell she is trying to be nice about it, though hinting towards how important whatever it was.

Setting my things back in my room I sit softly on my bed. "Of course, what is it?" I suffer from curiosity. I've hardly been here for 5 hours and already am having a serious talk. My stomach flips as I try to come up with a series of answers.

With a small breathless smile Karen steps inside the room. "It's about Liam. I understand you're remotely the same age, but I want to make it clear that it is important for you to focus on your schooling, and for Liam; his job. He is off bounds to you, and I hope you understand that, Adeline."

My jaw would have dropped if she hadn't been right before me. What she said had been so straightforward. "Uh… yeah, I understand that." My statement is simple, but she can tell how dumbfounded I am.

"I'm glad you understand, I just think It would be best… goodnight darling." Flashing a simple smile, she disappears out of the room leaving me staring at her tracks.