The past few months had been awful and with my future in front of me, I thought now was the time to travel and see some of the cities on my ever growing list. University could wait another year, for me to return. My best friend Tara and my family thought, that I was being stupid for putting my education on hold, when 'I was destined to become a great scientists in a biology field,' or so they kept telling me, literally none stop since the first time I had suggested the idea of me travelling. They said that I could travel after graduation and that I would have the opportunity to study in another country, so why did I have to go now? Well I felt like I deserved a break from studying, after pushing myself to work hard for years to excel in school and of course after my break up with my ex-boyfriend, Tony. 

I had thought we would last, that was until he humiliated me and rudely dumped me on a date at the cinema. There had been no warning. Everything was going great and we were happy together or so I had thought. It had taken me 3 months to get over the heart break and shame I had felt. Even now, I wasn't over it, not one hundred percent, so that's why I thought if I went traveling and go enjoy myself seeing and experiencing, new things with no deadlines and no pressures, I would be able to finally get over it. 

Now, I was in my bedroom with Tara whom were helping me pack my bags. "How's this?" I asked her holding up a short sleeved lemon yellow top.

"Great, if you are planning on going somewhere hot," she replied staring at the open suitcase on my bed. 

Then I began folding the top as she asked, "why do you need to go?" She asked it as she looked up at me. 

"I've already told you," I answered, placing the now folded yellow top in my suitcase. 

Tara replied with a sigh of defeat as she knew I wouldn't give her a different answer, before speaking. "Is this about Tony?" She questioned, finally. I had been waiting for her to ask me that as I had an hunch she thought that was the reason. 

"A little bit," I replied, placing some shorts into the suitcase.

"You can't run away from your problems," she stated. 

"I'm not running away. I just thought that it would be best to go and have some fun, take my mind off of him and school for a little while," I said. 

"OK, then. When will you be back?" She wondered. 

"Not sure, but I'll be back before next year," I told her. 

"Send me postcards?" She asked, now sort of half smiling as if she was warming up to the idea of me leaving. 

"Of course," I said. 

"I think you should take this too, in case you get cold," she suggested holding up a white jumper.

"Good idea," I agreed. "Put it in," I added as I continued to search for other items to take with me. 

Tara put the jumper inside the suitcase. 

Later, after I had finished packing and had checked to make sure I hadn't forgot anything, Tara went home. We were now down stairs and Tara stood next to the front door. 

"I'm going to miss you," she said as she threw her arms around me and pulled me tightly in to a hug. 

"I'll miss you too," I replied, hugging her back. 

"Have fun," she ordered.

"I will," I said and we stopped hugging. 

"Bye," she said as she left my house.

I called, "bye," after her and then shut the door.

I wish she was coming with me, but she is starting uni this year. Besides I'm sure I'll have fun on my own, I thought as I headed upstairs to bed, to get the energy I would need for my long journey tomorrow.