I never thought this day would come. I did know it was going to happen but I never thought it would be this soon. The day finally came, and I was definitely not ready for it. I didn't realize it was going to be this hard. To say goodbye to a place I've known since birth. To say goodbye to everyone and everything I've ever loved. Since last year, I had been through a prostrating process of applying to universities overseas, and in may, Yale university granted me with a scholarship. My parents were overjoyed; they wanted nothing but the best for me. They had worked so hard and I was dedicated to make them proud.

"Roseline!?!" My mother shouted from downstairs. "I ain't getting any younger down here."

I snapped my suitcase shut and opened my room door, "I'll be down in a second ma." I shouted back, earning a 'you better' from her.

I wrapped my hand around the doorknob and turned to move out of my room but before I closed it I glanced over my shoulder. I recollected all my precious moments in just one last glance. The ceiling was decorated with my friends and I's hand prints, I remember the day my father had to hold us up so we could do it because, at the time, we weren't tall enough. It started when we were ten, and as the years went by, we would do it as a reminder of where we were coming from. I smiled as I gazed down at my bed, remembering the heartwarming moments with my parents and friends, the sleep overs, and the night I snuck a boy in and got caught. That didn't end well. My room was basically my comfort zone, I'd be in there all day and night, blasting music through my headphones and dancing shamelessly around the room in the safe knowledge that no one could see me.

I took a deep breath and closed my door, the 'DO NOT ENTER' sign waving it's goodbyes. I remember the times when my parents would purposely barge in, just to irritate me.

I made my way downstairs with my luggage and walked to the car. My father took the suitcase from me, and placed it in the trunk along with every other thing I was taking with me. I rented a car, that way I didn't have to experience the pain of telling my parents goodbye. I'm sure I would likely change my mind before entering the airport. I don't think I've been away from my parents for more than a month, and that was only for summer camp. My family had always been my rock, they were my inspiration for everything. I don't know how I'll function without them to cheer me on. We agreed to communicate through technology but it wouldn't be the same as having them here. To hug, to hold...to receive kisses I pretended to hate; mom would always kiss my cheeks.

I looked at my mother when I heard her sigh deeply, she held out her hand with a gentle glance of inquiry.

"There isn't a chance I could pack you both in my suitcase, is there?" I chuckled sadly to myself. I took my mother's hand, and gave her my bravest smile.

She cupped my chin, "You are about to do amazing things, about experience everything you have dreamt about. Honey, this is a new chapter of your life," she told me, giving meaning to every word.

"And," dad added walking towards us, "as one of my favorite saying goes, 'You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one."

"Michael McMillan," I finished.

"We will be here waiting for you Roseline, and we will miss you every day that you are away." Dad said, trying to stay strong for mom and I. "This is your opportunity, take it." He advised.

Mom removed the necklace from her neck and held it out to me. I stepped back in surprise, "Wait, grandma gave you that. I can't possibly take it." I argued. I knew how much mom loved the necklace as it was the only thing that reminded her of her late mother.

"Yes, she gave me when I was going through a specific period of my life. It helped me through a lot and that's what I want for you." She came closer and hooked it around my neck.

"When my mother gave me this, I was going through my darkness times, I almost gave up." She smiled at the distance memory. But this reminded me of my worth."

She eyed the necklace. "Above all, write each chapter with dignity, confidence and pride, never forget your worth. Never forget who you are and who you are meant to be. That's what she told me." My mom and I had talked about the difficulties I was likely to face as a black in a white country, but I didn't think it'd be unendurable as she made it out to be.

"Thank you mom," I smiled gratefully while my hand reached out to touch the necklace.

"And sweet heart," dad called. "I know we already discuss this, but you need to be careful. The world is a-"

I playfully rolled my eyes, "yeah dad, I know. Most people aren't as welcoming and charming as others. I will be careful but I'll also stand my grounds." I said briefly.

My mother cried out and ran to me, "my baby," her sudden outburst startled me but I caught her hug. "I'll miss you so much."  I returned the hug and tears started to spill, "I'll miss you too mom, I love you."

"I love you too. You have grown up so fast." She said through hiccups.

Dad signed as he watched us sob, "honey, you need to let go." He tried putting us apart but mom shrugged him off,after a while mom let me go.

Dad then took me in his embrace and kiss my forehead, "I love you." Was all he whispered, after all I knew how hard this was for them. It was the same for me.

"I love you too young man." I replied.

"I'll see you both soon." I said getting in the car. I watched dad comfort his wife through the mirror as he waved me off with a sad smile. I drove a few more minutes then my childhood home disappeared.

I saw a woman standing from the rear view mirror of the car, she had her hands akimbo and even from afar i could see the scowl on her face; that was Mrs smith, she was once our neighbour whose daughter was trafficked to united states to be a sex slave; at least that was the rumour going around, no one really knew what happened to her. She had made it her job to see that no one leaves the community to go abroad, i understood her pains but she didn't have any control over my life. I watched her walked back into her home just before I passed the sign board that said "Leaving St. Mary".

The place that helped groom me into the woman I am today. It was as if, I was leaving apart of me behind, but I always had the memories with me. And I'd be back soon, with a better vision of myself.

I've never been out of my country, Jamaica. It was scary but also exciting, I've already accepted the pros and cons of traveling away. This was something I needed to do as I  had to make it work. Whatever the outside world had in store for me, I was ready. I wasn't going to back down from a challenge.

My name is Roseline Gabriel, a proud, young, black woman, and I'm ready for anything the world throws at me.

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