“But I want to be an artist” Misty protested as her father filled out the papers for a medical academy he wanted to send her to for the school year. “Nonsense” He replied as he put the form in an envelope and sealed it. “A career in medicine is much more practical.” Misty sighed “But dad, I don’t care about practicality. I want to be an artist.” Her father turned away and walked out the front door with the envelope in his hand. As soon as the door slammed, Misty ran for her room to call her friend Lauren. “I’m going to a boarding school in Oregon” she exclaimed as soon as Lauren picked up. Both girls were silent for a moment until Lauren began to panic. “Why, when?” she demanded. “I don’t know, and as soon as the school year starts” Misty answered. Lauren swallowed loudly. “You only have a week?” she whispered into the phone. “Yeah” Misty replied with a sigh. “I’ll tell everyone” Lauren said softly. “Ok” Misty answered, hanging up the phone. Misty was packing a few of her most important belongs, her paints and brushes, her sketchpad, and the locket her mother gave her when she was very young. The door slammed downstairs. “There’s a letter from your Mom” her dad yelled. Misty got up and hurried downstairs. Her mom was on a business trip to China and wouldn’t be home for months. Misty read the short letter very quickly.
Misty,
I’m doing fine, thanks for asking. How are you?
Everything is going very well here in China.
Have fun at your new school and trust your father.
He knows what he’s doing.
Love,
Mom
Misty sighed and set the letter down on the counter. “Thanks” she mumbled to her dad who was standing by the window. “I’m going to go finish packing now” “Ok, see ya” He said without turning around. She trudged up the stairs and into her room. Instead of packing, she laid down on her bed. “Only for a minute” she mumbled before falling asleep.
She was leaving tomorrow morning. “One more day until my life is ruined” she muttered to herself as she finished packing a few last minute items. She zipped up her suitcase and dropped it in the corner of her room next to the one she had borrowed from her mother’s closet. “Misty, lunch” her dad yelled from the kitchen. Misty groaned and marched down the stairs. After lunch she got her suitcases from her room and loaded them in the car.
Misty slept most of the drive, which took all day though they lived in Northern California. Her father woke her up as they reached the outskirts of town. She could see the old school looming in the distance. It took them about twenty minutes to reach the group of tall buildings made of stone. Misty stared out her window. “This place looks like it’s been abandoned.” she observed as they pulled up to the closest building. Her dad quickly got out and handed Misty her bags. “Bye, I can’t stay I have to be somewhere” Misty just waved as he sped away from the school, leaving her alone to stand out front.
