The train squeaked on the brakes and came to a stop with a slight jerk.
I hesitated a moment before stepping outside through the open door.
There was a terrible hustle and bustle on the platform. Countless times I was jostled roughly and once a particularly hectic businessman stumbled over my suitcase. When I asked if everything was okay, I only got a venomous look in response. I took a deep breath. That went off well.
I looked around, but I couldn't make out my father anywhere. I had to get out of this crowd as quickly as possible. I bit my lip and started working my way through the crowd.
I took a deep breath when I reached the escalator that took me off the platform.
When I stepped through the glass outer door, my thoughts were so deep that I promptly bumped into someone.
"Sorry!" I exclaimed, startled, and looked up.
"It's okay, it didn't happen," the boy replied, whose bright blue eyes immediately cast a spell over me. I smiled uncertainly and grabbed the handle of my trolley a little tighter.
"Maybe we'll see each other again!", He said and gave me a radiant teeth-whitening smile that made my knees go weak. I couldn't get a sound out so I just nodded my head. The boy disappeared into the station building and I looked for what felt like 20 minutes.
My father's voice made me look away from the outer door.
"Mila!"
The tall man with the dreadlocks came up to me beaming with joy. I smiled too now, dropped my bags and walked over to him.
He closed me with the words “Well, my big one?” In his arms. I closed my eyes and tried to hide a tear, but it stayed stubbornly in the corner of my eye.
We broke up and I took a closer look at the man I hadn't seen in the past five years. He hadn't changed at all.
"I know that sounds cliché now, but ..." he began. "You grew up damned!"
I laughed and picked up my suitcase again.
"The same goes for you! I have a feeling you've grown even bigger!"
Dad grinned furtively and picked up two of my bags.
I followed him to his black Chevy Impala that he had parked near the train station. Lost in thought, I stroked the dusty roof of the car. It had been a long time since my father had driven me around with it.
"All aboard!"
That tore my mind. I got in with a blast and slammed the door. I almost expected Dad to reproach me, like my mother, that it wasn't going to be a truck. But he started the car as if there was nothing to complain about.
As I drove, I leaned deep in my seat and buried my mouth and nose in my jacket.We drove a good way into town, but contrary to my expectations, the distance between the houses did not get closer, as it was actually usual in other large cities, but wider and wider. I was amazed to watch the thick foliage of the trees on the roadside, which grew more and more the closer we got to the city center. After a few minutes, Dad drove the classic car into the driveway of an apartment building.
I got out and looked at the bright facade of the two-story house.
"It's nice here," I said and smiled at the tall, personable man who was standing next to me. He smiled back and took my bags out of the trunk.
"Wait, I'll have something too!" I shouted and picked up a bag and my trolley case.
"If you insist," he grinned and walked past me to the front door.
As he was about to put the key in the lock, the door swung open and we almost bumped into a small group of girls.
"Whoa!" One of the girls gasped and took a step back. "Sorry!"
Dad raised his hand. "It's okay, nothing happened, Sakura!"
We walked past them into the house and I took a quick look at the girls. The one who almost bumped into us had short pink hair. The other two once had light blonde and dark blue hair. They eyed me briefly, but then went on.
"The three of them live right next to us. They're actually quite nice," Dad said and began to climb the stone stairs. I took a deep breath and then followed him.
Once at the top I tried to hide my slight breathlessness by taking deep, long breaths.
"You get used to it," I heard Dad say.
"I'm fine," I snapped and followed him into the apartment.
It was small, but clear and comfortable. Dad showed me to a room behind the last door on the left.
I put my bags down at the foot of the bed and looked around. The furniture looked fairly new: a large desk, bookcase, wardrobe, and wide wooden bed.
I went to the window and looked out. From here I had a great view of the back garden. There were old fruit trees everywhere, some of which were already full of fruit. I had to admit, it was really nice here, for being in the middle of a big city.
Then I went to unpack my things and set myself up a little by hanging up a few posters.
In the evening I sat on my bed with my legs bent and stared into the air through holes. Tomorrow was my first day of school at the local high school and I couldn't be more nervous.
Then there was a knock on the door of my room. I hummed a "come in"
My father walked into the room and sat down with me on the bed.
"Well, my big one? Are you excited already?"
I swallowed hard.
"I'm dying, dad!"He laughed softly and took my arm.
"You don't die that fast!"
"Yes!" I replied defiantly.
I leaned against him and closed my eyes. Suddenly I got so tired ... And no sooner had I made my mistake than I was already immersed in the world of dreams.