Alright…we are on our way to college…Thanks once again for reading and reviewing! Once again, I do not own HSM…but the rest of the story is my own. Enjoy!

Road Trip

The summer before my first year at Juilliard seemed to fly by. We were all so focused on spending time together before we left for college, time kind of got away from everybody. The whole Evans family ended up vacationing in Australia for the summer. I think Sharpay and Ryan's parents wanted to spend as much time as possible with them before the school year began. Since their parents travelled about as much as they were home, it was a very special vacation for Ryan and Sharpay. And me, well I stayed busy spending time with my friends and preparing for Juilliard. I also spent a ton of time with my mom. It was hard for me to imagine not seeing her every day. The goodbyes to all of my friends were quite sad…a lot of crying…especially from Chad and Troy. (I know; who knew right?) Before I knew it, my mom and I were packing all of my necessities into the moving truck she had rented.

For any of you who have ever experienced a road trip with your parent(s), it is quite the adventure…especially in my case. My mom is terrified of driving on highways. Therefore, we were either doubling our travel times on back roads or I was listening to her utter "ohmigod, ohmigod, ohmigod" over and over and OVER again. I figured if I took over the driving it would lessen her anxiety a little bit. But it was actually the reverse, she was even more nervous when I was driving. I contemplated listening to my iPod, but I couldn't leave my mom to face her fears alone. So, that led to conversation, which of course led to me spilling the beans about Ryan. You can imagine my surprise when she informed me she was already aware of my feelings for Ryan.

"Mom, um, how did you know that Dad was… you know…the one?"

My mom hastened a look at me, while trying to also keep her eyes on the road.

"Does this have anything to do with Ryan honey?"

At that comment my mouth dropped open and my blue eyes grew to their full capacity.

"What…no…NO…no…kind of."

My mom just smiled her epitome of the "mother smile." You know the one that seems to say…"Yes I am your parent and I am an all-knowing entity."

As my blush heightened I managed to get out, "How did you know mom?"

And right before my eyes, my mother's whole body relaxed and a musical giggle escaped her lips.

"I am your mother sweetheart, I know all."

As I confided all of my fears and dare I say hopes not only about Ryan, but about college in general, she patiently listened.

And then in a moment of pure love, she said, "Kelsi, I wish you could see yourself as I see you. YOU are without a doubt the best gift ever bestowed upon me. You are beautiful inside and out, talented, creative, genuine, kind and your spirit is full of such love. Please promise me as you move on to this new adventure that you won't doubt yourself anymore. There is only one you, and to me, you are perfect. I would not change one hair on that petite little head of yours."

I took in my mother's features, which were pretty much an older mirror of my own. Her long wavy brown hair was pulled back into a messy bun; her glasses framed identical blue eyes seemed to hold a wisdom I would someday share and her stature was as petite as my own. (Some say short, but I think "petite" is a better fit.)

I looked at my beautiful mother with tears trailing down my cheeks.

"I love you so much mom."

My mom's watery eyes took a moment to glimpse at me before returning back to the road. Her small, elegant hand found mine.

"Me too baby, more than words could say."

Author's Note…Yeah, so my mom raised me on her own. Part of why I decided to replicate with Kelsi's story, if I am emotionally tied to the story I tend to write better. I hope you liked this. I felt it was important to know where Kelsi comes from and the various people and situations that influence her.