Dive Right In

CHAPTER 1

"He died in London. And now you're sending me over there? Woman, are you INSANE?"

Elara was nearly choking on her words. She stared at her mother in disbelief. Was she actually letting - no, forcing - her only child to stay in the same city where her father had been killed just weeks before? He had been an innocent bystander in a bank robbery, and there had yet been any hopes of locating the suspects.

"Ellie...please...." Her mother's cheeks were tear stained and red. "This is something you have to do."

Elara faced away from her mother, her eyes burning. Had she lost all sense of logic? Didn't she want to be around her daughter, after everything that happened? What was the point in shipping her off to another country? To stay with her Aunt and cousin, nonetheless. She had met them once when she was very young, when they visited from London for a few weeks one summer.

She rested her hands on the counter and lowered her head. "I don't even remember these people, how am I supposed to -"

"It's not SAFE!" Elara's mother's eyes went wide, as if she had just uttered a terrible word.

Elara turned around with a cautious look on her face. "...what did you say?"

"It's not s- Elara, you just can't stay here right now. Please listen to me." Her mother's voice was nervous, almost frightened.

"Mom, you're not making sense. It's not safe? For who? Dad was killed by accident. What's not safe? If you want time to be by yourself I understand, but Christ, don't tell me something about how it isn't safe." Her mind was reeling with confusion. Why was she going to London?

"Baby...you need to do this for me. You can write me as often as you want. Your aunt Katherine is a wonderful woman, and she's so anxious to see you. Aubrey even set up a bed for you. She's an only child too, you girls will love the company..." Her mother sighed with exasperation. "Elara...you're going. Your flight is paid for, all the arrangements have been taken care of. I'm sorry I had to spring it on you like this, especially after - after what happened. I really am. But you have to go. You'll understand when you get there, just...I'm sorry honey." She trailed off and looked at the ground.

Elara opened her mouth to reply, then closed it again. Her mother had never done anything like this before. She had never been so confusing, so...vague. But she had also never been the type to leave her daughter in a bad situation, let alone put her in one to begin with.

She took a breath, and straightened herself up to face her mother.

"Okay...okay, I'll go."

~~~~~

Saturday morning came quickly. Elara opened her eyes, but closed them quickly again to shield them from the bright sun streaming in through her window. She rolled over, and opened her eyes again to stare blankly at the wall. This is really it, she thought. Well...let's get it over with.

She sat up sleepily and walked over to the mirror on the wall that had been, up until recently, scattered with pictures of her family, all of which were now carefully packed away in one of her suitcases. Her hair was fairly short, so it had remained somewhat similar to the style she had it in the night before, only now it was slightly messier. Her dark eyeliner was once again smudged around her rich brown eyes, giving her pale complexion a rather run-down appearance. She grabbed a towel, and went down the hall into the bathroom to shower.

She decided her first impression should be a good one, but she didn't stretch it too far, as she stayed rather close to her every day clothes. Black converse sneakers, jeans, and a plain black racer-back tank top that clearly showed her tattoos on her shoulder blades - two tattered faeries, a girl and a boy. Her hair was parted on the side, and her bangs reached just past her nose, but were kept to the side with a small bit of hairspray. She took one last glance into her mirror, decided she looked alright, then turned around and bid her bedroom a silent farewell.

Downstairs, her mother had made breakfast and was dressed and ready to go. She clearly hadn't slept very much, but still remained in pleasant attitude. The meal was eaten in silence, save for the clinking of the plates and cutlery, and the occasional cough from Elara's mother. When

the plates were cleared and washed, Elara lingered around the table and looked over at her mother, waiting for her to speak. Her mother met her gaze, and cracked a small smile.

"Do you have all your things? I wouldn't want you to forget anything..." She trailed off and Elara noticed her mother's eyes were starting to well up with tears.

"Mom...I trust you. If you think it's best that I go to London for a while, then I know I should go." She stepped towards her mother and wrapped her up in a tight hug. Her mother responded and placed her arms around Elara's neck and squeezed. They remained that way for what seemed like several minutes, and Elara noticed her shoulder had become damp from her mother's cheek. She stepped back and took a few steps backward, in a sort of skip toward the stairs. "I'm going to get my stuff."

They got to the airport, and unloaded her luggage from the car. It was rather busy inside the terminal, so Elara and her mother had to stay rather close to avoid losing eachother in the crowds. They found a clearing next to the luggage turnstile, and placed her suitcases onto the conveyor belt. After a brief silence and a few awkward glances at one another, Elara's mother finally spoke.

"Elara, before you go...take this." She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a sealed envelope, which appeared to have a few documents inside.

"I don't want you to open this until you've spoken to your aunt."

Elara slipped the envelope over, inspecting it from every angle "What is it?"

"You'll see. Just promise me you'll wait." She smiled, and looked at her daughter with a slight twinge of doubt."

"Okay, okay. I promise." Elara smiled back, and placed the envelope in her purse.

Final boarding call, flight 314 to London England, this is your final boarding call.

Elara looked up towards the speaker, then down at her mother.

"Well...that's me." She said confidently, yet underneath she was practically dying of nervousness. Her mother reached out an arm and pulled her daughter in for a final hug goodbye.

"I love you, Elara. Remember that."

"I love you too, mom. I'll see you soon."

She pulled away and picked up her carry-on, and stepped through the turnstyle. She slowed her speed as she neared the doors, and turned to look back at her mother. She waved, and Elara waved back, and stepped through the door past the turnstyle, down the hall towards the

airplane. A mixture of fear and excitement stirred inside her as she took her seat. She stared warily out the window as the plane slowly came to life, and began to make it's course along the runway. The horizon began to tilt as the plane took off, and Elara closed her eyes to keep herself from becoming dizzy. She let herself become sleepy again, as she wondered what was ahead of her in London, with her family members she had never met, with this new life, with so many questions. Would she get along with these people? Would she make friends? Exactly how long was she going to be there, anyway? The questions blurred, and then faded to nothing as she fell into a calm, dreamless sleep.