Chapter 5 fresh start

Two years later, Ethan, 28, and Nyla, 19,

"It's a beautiful campus, isn't it?" I have stated that more times than I can count. As I savor my succulent lamb chop, my heart is bursting with joy.

I've used that phrase a lot during the last six months. I can't let anyone convince me otherwise, especially after seeing the most exquisite university library I've ever seen. I am confident that my choice to participate in this exchange program was the best one I have ever made.

Dad, seated across from me, looks at me with the same sparkle of joy in his eyes. Even though he initially objected to my coming to Washington, he's glad that I'm content.

He turns back to his meal with a smile. "You remember the rules, right?"

I sigh. Once more, he goes.

Mom, seated next to him, gives him a knowing shake of her head. I am aware that she supports me, but sadly, nobody can make Dad change his opinion about these regulations.

"Dad." I sighed once more, deeply this time. "It's just one semester."

I can tell what Dad is going to say as he examines me closely.

"Nyla, six months. It's not a brief time frame. I'm struggling not to laugh, and he even sounds insulted.

He's acting as though I'll be gone for years, even though I'll just be gone for a semester.

Mom wasn't lying when she said that Dad would be upset with me for leaving, but he was aware of how eager I had been to participate in this exchange program.

"I'm sure that during that period, she will gain so much from joining one of the best classes of business technology she's been dying to have." Mom gives Dad a comforting pat on the arm, reminding him why he first consented. Then she turns her focus to me. Her lips curve into a gentle smile.

"Exactly," I remind them.

"As far as I remember, we had a mutual agreement on the conditions," reminds my dad.

"Right." I take another chunk out of the meat on my plate and nod. "No drinking."

Dad repeats, "No drinking," dropping his food and crossing his arms over his chest.

"No clubbing."

"No clubbing." He waits for me to explain the remaining regulations before nodding.

I glance up from my plate once again. "No walking alone at night."

"That, too." He gestures with his finger. "And don't talk to strangers on the street."

My dinner utensils fell to the floor. "I'm not a toddler." There is frustration in my voice.

Mom shakes her head incredulously, rests her chin on her fist, and watches us with a laugh.

Dad gives me stern looks. "You are not, but there are criminals out there--"

"All right. I understand," I interrupted, unwilling to listen to his lengthy tirade about the presence of psychos in the world.

Dad says, "Good," but then he narrows his eyes at me.

That look is familiar to me. I haven't mentioned the most crucial rule yet. When I say, "And no boys," I feel deflated. I understand.

"No boys. No boys at all," Dad says with unyielding authority.

I sulk while jabbing my fork into the meat on my plate. I whisper to myself, "God, my love life is doomed." "I'll never meet my soulmate."

When I glance up at Dad, he simply shrugs and goes back to eating lunch. "Your soulmate is not in college," he corrects.

I tell them, "You're not a psychic."

My father is so anti-college boys that he won't even allow me to live in the university residence hall that doesn't keep boys and girls apart.

He bought me a new apartment in town, one of the best with the best security, because he said a stalker could just walk in.

That is such a waste of money, isn't it? I firmly believe that my father is insane.

"How would you know that I wouldn't meet my soulmate in college?" I put him to the test.

Dad says, "That's obvious," as if it were quite evident. "I'm not allowing you to date yet, so you'll only meet him years from now."

My mouth falls open. "Years? For what length of time? Until my 30th birthday?" I nearly scream.

Mom lets out a sigh, and Dad nods. She is aware that there is no end to this discussion.

I lean back against the chair, and a scowl comes to my lips. I say, "You two met when you were in high school," simply.

As silence descends, Dad swallows. You got it.

"That was complicated--"

I kept yelling, "Max is already engaged, and he's only a year older than me," while raising my hands in support.

With a sigh, Dad looks at Mom as if he's pleading with her to support him and help him win this debate. Mom merely gives him a raised eyebrow.

Dad turns back to face me. "That is a unique situation. He says, "Max is a true gentleman," as though there are no other boys but his nephew. "Besides, Sienna isn't allowed to date either--"

"Sienna isn't allowed to date until she turns 25," I scream. "You're worse than Uncle Vaughn."

My loud voice causes some patrons in the restaurant to turn their heads in our direction, and I boldly place my forehead against the table. I look up at Dad when he laughs.

"You're right." He gives a proud smirk. "I'm worse than him."

Too exhausted to argue, I zip my mouth. In any case, I am aware that I will lose. As long as he doesn't haul my ass back to Texas, I'll follow his instructions.

"I'm going to miss you." I give Mom a big embrace before we go. This warmth is something I will miss.

She kisses my forehead and holds on to me more tightly. She cups my cheek and gives me a loving look as we start to move away.

Her words, "You're going to have a great time here, honey," seem to pick up on my anxiety. "Slacken up. Enjoy yourself. Make lots of new pals. Despite some of her remarks contradicting Dad's statement, she says, "Don't stress too much." That isn't important to her. All she wants is for me to be happy.

I do my best not to cry as we both sigh together. I must admit that this is the first time I've lived alone without them.

When I turn to face Dad, his arms are already spread wide. I feel like I'm five years old when he throws me into an embrace.

He doesn't seem to want to let me go. When he gets in the car with Mom, I know that Dad will let it all out, even though he always acts tough around me. I won't be shocked if Mom says she needs to persuade him once more on the way home.

I say, "Don't worry about me," as we start to back off. The grief in his eyes makes my heart throb.

Dad finally letting me live a thousand miles away from them still seems unreal, but it's time for him to give me some leeway. Without a doubt, a semester is shorter than four years.

"You don't forget the most important rule, do you?" My eyebrows furrow as Dad asks.

The most crucial one? I assumed it was about boys.

After he examines me closely, it suddenly occurs to me.

"Always pick it up when you call." I smile.

We give each other another hug while Dad smiles.

The most crucial thing is that I don't conceal anything from them or lie to them. I should thus not ignore them anytime they call, no matter where I am. All they have to do is listen to my voice to determine whether or not I'm truly alright.

"Remember." He gives me a wary glance. "Don't skip your meals."

He speaks as though I haven't matured once again. I resist the impulse to roll my eyes, but I also know that I will miss this inquisitive aspect of him.

My heart is fighting now as I see Mom and Dad get into the car. Being apart from them is difficult, despite my desire to live independently. Mom and Dad will always be my haven, regardless of how wonderful my current situation is.

I gesture at them as Dad lowers the car window. My eyes nearly filled with tears.

"Bye," I say with a smile on my face, even though I'm feeling melancholy.

"Honey, we'll see one another very soon. I cherish you. Knowing that they will return soon to see how I'm doing, Mom smiles.

"I love you, too." I watch as Dad sighs behind the wheel while I squeeze her hand.

"I love you, Dad."

He sighs and smiles at me. "I love you more."

Following our farewells, after Dad gets behind the wheel, I watch them drive away until the automobile vanishes behind the property gate.

I spin around, gazing up at the towering structure before me. My new apartment.

I had to cover my eyes with my hand because the light was so bright when it hit my face. It's among the most opulent residential buildings I've ever seen. It is undoubtedly a high-end apartment because it is so tall and opulent.

It was useless to argue with Dad, but I wish he didn't have to pay for this home for me. He would only give me the best, particularly when it came to security and safety.

The penthouse at the top of the skyscraper narrows my vision, and I squint. The owner stays at the top, I recall a staff member telling me. The owner of this amazing property must be extremely wealthy, regardless of who they are.

Stepping back into the flat with resolve, I swear to myself.

I intend to take full use of my stay in Washington. This university exchange program is going to be fantastic.

'But still following Dad's rules,' a voice in my thoughts adds. Naturally.