Glancing at Charlotte, I couldn't help but hate her a little bit more than a second ago. The burning feeling was intensifying in my chest, ready to explode any minute now.

We were currently in a taxi, heading to JFK airport. The close distance between us was not a great idea at the moment, and I've been putting all my energy into not snapping at Charlotte.

I was released from the hospital three days ago. The doctors wanted to make sure there was no further damage to any of my organs or brain, even though I insisted that I felt fine and just wanted to be out of that building.

I was hoping to be released even earlier so that my mother wouldn't have a chance to pick me up from the hospital, but it seems that luck has abandoned me lately. The doctors were very adamant on keeping me in the hospital until Charlotte came to collect me. Ever since then, she hasn't let me out of her sight.

Since being released from hospital, Charlotte didn't waste any time packing up my things, mostly clothes since I insisted that I won't be staying in Los Angeles for long. I was convinced that Auntie Olive and Uncle James would regret their offer of me staying with them after spending a few weeks with me. I knew they were lovely people, both lawyers, and they weren't exactly high profile lawyers, but from what Charlotte told me they were rather successful at their jobs.

"Aunt Olive and Uncle James will be waiting for you at the airport. Please be nice to them and don't cause too much trouble," said Charlotte whilst tugging at the hem of her black pencil skirt. Her eyes cast downward, unable to meet mine.

My mother is quite successful herself; she has her own small architecture firm. I know she loves her job and it has been her dream for as long as I can remember. She worked very hard for it, and finally managed to save up enough money to invest in her own business and create a firm from the ground up. However, in order to accomplish the things she has, she not only sacrificed her marriage but also her relationship with me.

"Don't worry, I'll cause just enough trouble to spice up their lives a little bit," I replied while a smirk started to form on my face. To be completely honest, it was only partly a joke. They were the ones who thought it was a great idea to welcome me into their home, and the only thing I wanted to prove is that they made a huge mistake letting me into their lives. Who invites a heroin-addicted girl whom they haven't seen for years? Why would they commit to such a venture?

"Amber, do not cause them unnecessary stress. They have enough of that with their jobs and you don't need to be adding to that," said Charlotte, frustration dripping from her voice.

"Maybe you should've thought of that before sending me on my merry way to their home," I snapped.

Charlotte didn't have anything to say to that. I knew she had been talking to Auntie Olive for a few months now. According to my mother, their scheming chats had started back when I first found myself in the hospital. Charlotte told me how worried she was and how she asked Auntie Olive for advice, on how to deal with me and my so-called 'issues'.

In return, Auntie Olive was very supportive of her sister and was very keen to listen to Charlotte's problems with her rebellious daughter. I bet she was getting bored of her perfect life with her perfect husband and golden boy son.

The thing that really surprised me at first was that it was my aunt and uncle's idea for me to move in with them. Apparently they wanted to meet me in person and try to help me the best way they can. After Charlotte started talking about how many young people got addicted to drugs and alcohol, I tuned her out completely.

In a way, I wasn't ready to face my problems head on. I'm was aware that my problem was a serious one and that it had to be dealt with, but by dealing with it, I'd have to face my other demons.

____________

Neither of us spoke for the remainder of the ride to the airport, both of us lost in our own thoughts.

After about twenty minutes had passed, the taxi pulled up outside the airport. As we both got out and collected out bags, Charlotte paid the driver, and we headed inside.

The airport was hectic of course; this was New York after all. People were rushing to get to their gates on time and others were leisurely walking through the airport, knowing they had plenty of time to get to their flights on time. I turned towards my mother, looking into her hazel eyes.

"Okay, you don't have to follow me to my gate you know? It's not like I will run," I joked trying to lighten the mood between us, although after seeing her face, it might have had the opposite effect. Charlotte's eyes widened slightly, and I could see that the thought of me skipping my flight and going back out onto the streets made her nervous.

"I know you won't but it doesn't mean I'll give you the opportunity to do it anyway," replied Charlotte, playing along with the joke even though she definitely didn't find it funny.

We both headed towards the check-in desk, getting my plane ticket printed and bags loaded onto the plane. After we were free of carrying the heavy baggage, we saw a cafe nearby and decided to get ourselves a cup of coffee each. As we were sitting at our small round table in silence, neither of us knowing what to say to one another, my mind started to wander.

Looking around the airport, I could see lovers, friends and families being reunited and saying goodbyes. I could see happiness and I could see sadness. Both of those feelings were very foreign to me - I couldn't relate with what the people around me were going through. My body and mind had long been numbed by drugs and disappointment.

After we finished our coffees, it was time for me to go to my gate, and say goodbye to the city of New York.

"Alright call me when you land and when you're with your auntie and uncle okay? Please be good and I will see you during the Christmas break. I'll try to get some time off and come out to LA to see you," Charlotte said as her hazel eyes formed a crystal clear barrier and her lips trembled slightly.

"Okay, I'll call you, bye mother!" I replied as nonchalantly as I could whilst turning and walking away from her, and towards my gate. I knew she cared about me and that she loved me, but our relationship was far from perfect. There were many things that I wasn't ready to forgive her for.

I walked through the gate without any problems, and once on the plane, was able to find my seat quickly. Realising that it was a window seat stopped me in my track. Whenever I sat in the aisle seat, I'd get really bad travel sickness. Charlotte must have remembered the little detail from when I was a kid and we'd travel for my dad's job. The memory of me being sick, and my dad stroking my hair made me smile.

Without wasting much time, I settled into my seat and pulled out my phone and headphones from my little backpack. It's a six hour flight to LA, and all I planned to do during this time was sleep and listen to music.

All the flight attendants were showing the safety demonstration at the front of my row, but I ignored them and continued to look out of my window. I only had six hours to come up with a plan on how to avoid my relatives and return to New York. I did have some money that Charlotte gave me which I could use for a return ticket, or maybe I should get off the plane now?

It's not like my mother was still be waiting by the gate, so I could get away with not turning up in LA at all. The only fault with this plan was Auntie Olive and Uncle James who were both expecting me in a few hours, and who would definitely call my mother to let her know when I'm not there.

Maybe spending some time with my rich relatives wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Maybe I could make it work?

Just maybe it would all work out.  

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