Today I am leaving for Georgia. 

My family doesn't  know yet though. I took Ash's advice and decided I would surprise them. 

As I pack for my weekend away I listen to music. Nobody knows this but I am a secret Coldplay fan. 

Currently 'Strawberry Swing' blasts through my earbuds as I neatly fold a shirt before placing it in my suitcase.

"Now the sky could be blue..." I sing making my way back over to my closet. 

I have decided that I will spend today with my family and then tomorrow with Austin before leaving Monday morning. 

My flight today leaves at twelve and it's currently nine fifty.

I am pretty sure Desiree is still asleep which is why I have my headphones in, in the first place. 

As I hum the tune of the song I think about how my family will react to me being there for the weekend. I just hope they don't try and pressure me to stay. 

I hope by going there I can show them how happy I am here. That this is the kind of life I have always dreamt of.

After my suitcase is packed I get dressed. Then I head out to the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast. 

I am leaving for the airport in ten minute. 

River offered to drive me since the studio him and the band use is close to the airport. 

Popping some grapes in my mouth I wait for him to come get me. 

I am not scared to merge lanes anymore. I did it the other day so fast even River was shocked. I even parallel parked. 

I plan to try and get my license soon. River thinks I'll pass, he seems to be the only one though. Desiree and Ashlynn can't really talk though, they haven't been in the car with me recently. 

Anyways he has faith in me and I have faith in myself. I know I'll pass and then I can drive wherever I want. Well I would need a car first. 

I am saving up for one, cause why not. 

My phone dings and it's River letting me know he's here. 

I grab my bag and suitcase, heading out the door. 

When River sees me he gets out of the car and pops the trunk so I can throw my suitcase in side. 

Then we get into his car and he pulls out of the parking lot. 

"Are you excited to see your family?" He asks as we slow down at a red light. 

I pull my legs under me, "Completely. Well mostly my grandma, she's my best friend. I've told you that she's the one person in my life who thought I should come out here when I got the offer from the agency. I don't know what I would do if she wasn't in my life." I ramble. 

"Do you ever go see your family?" I ask him. In the two months I have been here he hasn't gone home to see his family. 

River nods, "Sometimes." 

"Do they ever come visit you here?" I ask curiously. "Once." He says his hands tightening around the wheel. 

Ok I am prying and clearly making him uncomfortable. Time to change the subject. 

"Did you finish the Umbrella Academy?" I ask. 

We were going to watch it together but never found the time, so instead we promised each other we would watch it separately and then talk about it. 

He nods and my eyes widen, "How, I'm still on season one." I say and he shrugs. 

Cool. 

When we get to the airport he turns to me, "Do you want me to pick you up Monday?"

"Could you?" I ask. I hadn't asked anyone because I didnt want to be a bother. I could always uber it back to the apartment. 

He nods and I smile, "Thanks Riv." I get out of the car and grab my bags. I turn to wave at him and he waves back before driving away. 

Then I sit on a flight for almost four hours. 

When I land I get a uber to my parents house. 

On the ride there I text Desiree to let her know I landed safely. She texts me that she hopes I have a good time and that Kai is making sure no one plays Mr. Green. I always play him when we play clue. 

The car pulls up in front of the house and I get my bags before heading up the porch steps. 

I knock on the door as I shift from foot to foot. 

The door opens revealing Rachel, when she notices it's me she smiles. 

"What are you doing here Ava?" She asks as I walk inside. "I came for a surprise visit, so surprise." I say looking around the house for any signs anyone else. 

"Oh mom and dad are trying to give grandma a bath." I turn to look at her wide eyed. 

"She can bath herself." I say and Rachel shrugs, "I said that too but mom insisted it was too dangerous for her to do it alone incase she slipped and fell."

That poor woman can't even shower in peace. 

Rachel and I sit down on the couch. 

"California's changed you." She says eyeing my clothes. 

I wasn't wearing anything revealing. I had on high waisted brown jeans, white Air Force 1's, a white crop top and River's flannel. I put it on during the plane ride when I got cold. 

I guess the sliver of skin in my mid section could count as revealing but I wore cropped tops here all the time here because of the heat. 

"How so?" I ask and she shrugs again, "Not sure you just seem different."

"Good different?" I ask curiously. 

"Just different. Want anything to eat?"

"No thanks I ate on the plane."

A voice echos from the hall, "Rach who's here?" Mom calls out. 

"It's me mom." I call out and a few moments later both my dad and mom come into view. Their clothes soaked. 

"Honey you came home." My mom says and the relief that fills her eyes tells me she things I came home....permanently. 

"Just a surprise visit. I go back Monday." I say and I can see her happy expression falter slightly. 

I stand and go to hug them but then remember their soaked clothes. 

"Oh let me get memaw out of the bath and change." My mo says heading down the hallway. My dad heads upstairs to change as well. 

I sit back down on the couch. My mom comes out with my grandma. I give her a hug and I now feel at home. 

She sits down on her recliner and my mom and dad sit down on the two seater. 

"So Ava how is California treating you?" Dad asks me. 

"Great actually. I kind of have a group of friends now which is super fun, every week we have game night." I say smiling to myself. 

Then I remember they are having game night tonight. I wish I could be there. 

"So who is in this friend group. Austin mentioned there were a lot of guys."

So he told them about his visit here. Figures. 

"Well there my roommate Desiree. Ashlynn who also models for the same agency. Luca who is actually an influencer. Then there's River, Spencer, Kai, and Cole. They are all in a band together."

"Isn't River the one Austin was worried about?" My mom not so quietly whispers to my dad. He nods. 

"Oh I forgot to tell you guys that I am learning how to drive." I say to try and get their attention away from River. 

"That's great hon, who's teaching you?"

So clearly I am not getting their attention off of River. 

I play with the sleeves of the flannel, "River, he's the best driver out of the whole group."

My mom quirks an eyebrow. "Did he get anything out of teaching you how to drive?" She asks. 

I look at her confused, "What do you mean?"

"Well I am sure he didnt do it out of the goodness of his heart." Rachel adds. 

"I think he did. River is a good guy, don't listen to everything Austin says." I say defending River. They have never even met him. 

"If we listened to everything that came out of that boys mouth you'd be the town hussy." Grandma says. 

I know what's she's referring to. The guys I have to work with sometimes. Plus that most of the people in our group are guys. 

"Does Austin know you're here?" Rachel asks and I shake my head, "I plan to surprise him tomorrow."

As I sit there and talk to my family I notice my framed picture on the mantle. She really did make mom put it up there. 

I end up asking them how things are here and then we eat dinner. 

At exactly five p.m.

After dinner we talk some more in the living room before I head up to my room for bed. 

It feels so weird to be back in my old room. I only left it two months ago yet it feels like years. 

Desiree texts to ask me how my time was here so far. I tell her it's good, leaving out the parts where they feel they know what's best for me. 

Then I go to bed. I get to see Austin tomorrow.