Charlie! It's time to go! Aren't you ready yet?"
Mrs. Veronica Wilson's voice echoed through the house, carrying that mix of urgency and motherly patience only she could manage.
Charlie trudged down the stairs, his backpack slung lazily over one shoulder and his expression heavy with reluctance.
"Come on, baby," his mother said with a forced cheerfulness. "We've talked about this. Moving to Japan is going to be fun! You'll meet new people, learn a new language"
"Speak for yourself, Mum," Charlie muttered, his tone sharp but weary. "I barely have any friends here in America. I suck at learning new things, and my social anxiety is off the charts. How exactly am I supposed to survive in Japan?"
Veronica sighed softly and placed her hands on his cheeks, her eyes full of compassion. "Listen, baby. I know this is hard for you..it's hard for me too. But it's just a three-month stay, alright? I'm also trying to help you,if you don't meet people we'll never get rid of your anxiety
We'll be back before you know it. Think of it as a short vacation."
Charlie frowned. "That's exactly what you said four years ago when we moved to China for eight months. Those were the worst months of my life, Mum.I could only imagine what people thought of me. You know I'm terrible at talking to people. The only friends I've ever had are Simon and Victor, and you've known them since I was born. Why can't I just stay here and study while you're gone?"
"Charlie," his mother said firmly, her voice losing its softness. "We've gone over this a hundred times. You're coming with me. This is for your own good, and that's final."
My name is Charlie Wilson, and I'm a nineteen-year-old who still clings to his mum like a lost child. Not like I want to, she just worries about me a little too much.
Mum works as an ESL teacher
she teaches English abroad. Her job involves a lot of traveling, though she usually works online. My dad left when I was ten, saying he didn't need us anymore. I'm an only child.
I remember watching my mum in court, pretending to be strong, pretending she didn't care. But when we got home, she'd cry into her pillow until dawn. I was too young to know how to comfort her, so I'd just sit beside her, listening to her sobs fade into exhausted sleep.
A year after the divorce, she picked herself back up
smiling, laughing, working again. That's my mum: full of light, always pushing forward. She's everything I'm not.
I've always been quiet... withdrawn. Making friends never came easy. I wanted to become an architect once, but that dream died when I realized architects actually have to talk to people. Now, I just look for jobs that don't require much human contact.
Mum, on the other hand, has friends everywhere. She's radiant, with that kind of smile that makes strangers want to talk to her. Even after the divorce, she dated a few men, but none lasted. She always said, "They're just not right for me."
Despite everything, I love her deeply. She's done everything for me, and she's never stopped showing me love.
Last year, I took the college entrance exams
but I failed. Simon and Victor passed easily, and I was left behind. Mum told me not to worry, that I'd have another chance, and my friends stuck around, helping me study and keeping me company. I've been working harder than ever since then.
And then, one morning, she hit me with the news that ruined everything.
"We're going to Japan!"
I swear my heart stopped. If there's one thing I hate more than exams, it's moving. And yet, here I am, on a plane to Japan with two hours left before landing, my stomach twisting like I'm on a rollercoaster.
I WANT TO GO BACK TO AMERICA,
I screamed inside my head.
******
"Oh, isn't this place beautiful?" Mum exclaimed as we arrived at the apartment in Tokyo. "It's big and fancy, don't you think?"
Charlie didn't answer. He just stared blankly at the walls as she led him to his room.
"This will be your room, sweetheart. I hope you like it," she said with that ever-hopeful smile.
Charlie dropped his bag on the floor and collapsed face-first onto the bed.
"Charlie, baby," his mother said gently, sitting beside him. He turned away, staring at the wall.
"Sweetheart," she whispered, brushing his hair from his forehead. "I know this is hard for you
and it's hard for me too. But I love you, and I'd never do anything to hurt you. You know what they say
the only way to overcome your fears is to face them. Please, just give this a chance. Meet new people. Experience new things. You can't hide forever, Charlie. You'll have to face the world someday."
She smiled softly, her voice almost a whisper. "I have a feeling something exciting is waiting for you here in Japan. This time... I really do."
She patted his head, then stood and quietly left the room.
Charlie sighed, staring up at the ceiling.
"Exciting?" he muttered. "Yeah, right."