Chapter Sixty-One-1

Chapter Sixty-One: Maggie It's currently January 10th and we had spent the past few days visiting Evan's family's beach house back at Lake Tahoe and going to ski resorts and state parks. We thought it'd be good to do something fun before our class resumes next week, and so we decided to spend it together along with our parents. New Year's Eve went pleasantly, to say the least, it was unforgettable in every sense of the word and is probably my most favorite New Year's Eve spent thus far, no offense to the ones I spent with my family before. Because whenever a new year arises I just gave up trying to look forward to something different and exciting, because it always felt like a constant repetition. My life. But for once, I actually am looking forward to this year. Something about it just makes me feel at odds, and I don't know what it is, but it's better than nothing. These past few days have also given me the chance to reflect and introspect and figure out what I wanna do for the upcoming future and my overall path. My conversation with Jasper back at the party got me back to thinking about the plans I talked about with Evan during our first date. How I also wanted to attend colleges in New York and travel around the world as well, and I know I said it was a risky idea, given how my father probably resides there at the moment. But I'm done letting that man dictate my life as well as the choices that I make, he doesn't get to have his way all the damn time and I am not going to allow him to control the way we live especially when he's no longer a part of this family. It's time to cut all ties and to leave the past behind, once and for all. We returned to Los Angeles by the eighth of January, spending nearly a week at Lake Tahoe. It was a splendid time to put it simply, as our parents got the chance to catch up and bond and have a day off for once. While Evan and I just left them alone for the majority of the time, spending our days there visiting attractions like the state park and museum, just making great use of our holiday vacation. Evan was scheduled to get his passport taken today and as I had promised, I was going to go with him. I had already gotten ready and texted him to pick me up at 12:30 PM, as we had planned to be there at 1:00 PM. I was already dressed in a thick beige sweater, white jeans, and a simple brown trench coat, for it was still winter and the snow hasn't subsided even in the slightest, it was only compulsory to wear layers and layers of clothing before going outside. I'm in the kitchen reading a book to pass the time as I wait for Evan when my mother joins me as she enters the room, clad in a simple pink tank top, white shorts, as well as a thin cardigan when her eyes land on my attire. "Are you going somewhere, sweetheart?" she asked, kissing me on my temple on her way in. "Yeah, I'm gonna come with Evan to get his passport taken today," I answered as she paused by the fridge, getting a glass of orange juice. A lingering smile made its way up to my face at the sight as I flipped at the pages of my book. "I heard from Tiffany and Mason during our stay in Lake Tahoe that Evan is planning to attend colleges in New York, that's why you convinced them to get his passport taken, correct?" she asked as I nodded in response. "That's nice, despite everything you two have gone through it's great that you're pushing him to achieve his goals and to be a better person." "I mean, that was the point of why we got engaged in the first place, right?" she gave me a pointed look "I'm joking." She shook her head, tracing her fingers on the rim of the glass she drank from "I'm just happy for you two that's all, but be sure that whilst you are helping him on his path is that you focus on yours as well." I bit my lip as I contemplated over the words I'm about to say next, looking up at her with hesitant eyes "Actually I have, thinking about my future that is." She turned to me, quite fascinated, as she tilted her head "Oh, is that so?" I nodded "Yeah, I've been thinking long and hard about it these past few days and I realized that... just like Evan, I also wanna go to New York for college." She blinked, looking weirdly uneasy as I anticipated her response "New York?" she reiterated "Like New York, New York?" "Unless you know any another state called New York that isn't here on America-" "Maggie," she interrupted my sarcastic banter before I could even continue "Are you sure this is the route you wanna take? I mean, you are fully aware who resides in New York, right?" I clenched my jaw "You can say his name, mom. Plus dad shouldn't be a taboo topic around the house because at this point we're giving that man too much right to dictate our day-to-day life." "You know what I mean, Maggie." she pressed on as I stand up from the stool I'm sitting on "You know he'll be able to find out if you're there and the family business is here so I won't be able to keep a close eye on you if he ever-" I rolled my eyes "Mom, for the love of God, can you please stop letting dad control our lives as if he's still here? Even if he is, I'm done letting our entire world revolve around him, and I think it's about time you should move on too." I persisted, my resentment evident in my tone. She shook her head in a somber manner "I know, but it's not that easy-" "I know it isn't but you at least have to try," I concluded, "You at least have to try because if not you're just gonna wind up being stuck in the same godforsaken place he left us in, and that's why I'm going to New York despite him possibly being there, end of discussion." She was about to argue when the doorbell rang from outside, making me sigh as I pushed my body from the kitchen island, grabbing my book with me "Evan's here, I have to go." I was about to make my way to the door when her voice stopped me "Maggie, wait." I swiveled around to face her again and I was greeted with a clouded look in her typically beaming eyes "Let's talk about this." I heaved out a tired breath at that "Whatever you want, mom. Just not right now, I need some time to think." She looked like she wanted to persist some more, to deny me what I want but I know she's not like that, I know as much as she wants to fight for what she wants, she doesn't have the confidence to go through with it. And as cruel as it was for me to do so, I used that for my advantage to dodge this conversation to the best of my ability as I added "Please, another time?" I asked. She was reluctant but eventually said yes, signaling for my exit as I made my way out the door, instantly catching sight of Evan as he leaned against our front porch, his hands in his pockets.