'Breathe' I chastised myself, it was something so simple and yet I often forgot it. I sighed, and leaned my head against the cold window of the old family Toyota. As I watched the cars go by I began to feel even more lost in my own thoughts. The sudden onset of anxiety sparked an irrational fear and I pulled the sleeves of my dress further down to swallow my hands hole. I saw my mother's gaze shift to me.
"You'll be fine, Nova." She gave me a brief, reassuring smile before directing her gaze back to the busy road. I gave her a faint smile back and looked down at my sleeves once again. The fidgeting resumed.
"I'm probably going to stay after school to study, if that's okay? I don't know when you get off work so…" I trailed off. It was only the first day so I doubted I would need to study but I didn't want to make my mom take off work to pick me up, on the first day no less. I supposed I could just get ahead a bit in the more challenging classes.
"Sure thing baby, I'm taking a break around 5 to pick you up," she looked over to me with disdain. "Unfortunately I have to go back and work late tonight." I nodded to her, I hated my mother working so long but she was driven to provide me with an amazing education as she did my brother. It definitely took a toll on her. I figured I would pay her back by taking amazing care of her in her old age as she is doing for me now.
"We're here." I gazed at the lavish building in shock, I had seen pictures but those didn't hold a candle to the real thing.
"It looks like a castle," I muttered in awe. My mother chuckled deeply next to me. I stuck my tongue out in her direction and feigned offense while climbing out of the car. "You're so mean to me," I pouted.
She only replied with an enthusiastic "I love you."
I faintly heard it over my dumbfounded brain. 'So many limos…"