Sally Campbell; A New Face

Chapter 1 ~ Home?

Sally.
The name I was given at birth. Named after someone, someone named Sal. I may have been born a female but I can assure you I'm not one. I go by Sally, or Sal. Sal Campbell has a nice ring to it. But mostly Sally.
One day, I had asked my mother why she named me Sally. I haven't gotten the full story yet. One day I will, but for now it remains unknown to me. I'm crammed in an old, rusty car with my Grandparents. Grandpa is driving, Grandma is in the passengers seat enjoying the sun through the windows. I'm stuffed in the backseat, my luggage on both sides of me. I sit crammed, holding a camera that has a strap going around my neck loosely. Mom gave me this as a gift. She's sick. She had fallen ill about 3 years ago, but it worsened as I grew up. She got too sick to take care of me, now she's in the hospital full time and I'm being sent to go live with my Grandparents back in her hometown. I've heard that I'm also attending her old school. Ashley Campbell is my moms name. I love her to death. She gave birth to me even though my father had left without a word. Things were difficult for us by we made it by. I'm going to miss mom while I'm here. Although I know it's for the better, I can't shake the feeling that I'm going to feel more alone than ever.

I fiddle with the camera mom gave me as a parting gift. I examine the straps and buttons. Its old, still has some dust on it. It's a poloroid camera from when she was a kid. She told me she used it for all kinds of adventures. Maybe I'll make some memories like she did.

"Well look-y here, Sally." Grandma Smiled, turning back to meet my eyes. "We're here. In your new Town."

My new town?

"Great..." I lied.

It wasn't great. I don't want to be here. I miss mom. I tilt my head so I can see past the luggage. I look out the window. Staring for a bit. The sun is bright today. The light peaks through the rows of trees we're passing, blinding me momentarily. We drive pass shops, old and new, but no matter what. It all looks dull. It's like this place is devoid of life. Of color. Soon, we pull into the driveway of an ugly tan house.

"Alrighty, young lady. This is it. This is home." Grandpa smiles, turning the key to bring the engine to a halt.

Is this really home? My grandparents never got the whole non-binary thing. Which would be fine if I wasn't non-binary. But here we are.

"C'mon out sweetheart, we got alot of unpacking to do. You've got school in the morning and its already 5!" Grandma opens the car door for me, and grins.

I maneuver my way out of the crammed car, making sure to hold my camera tight. When I get out, I stand there for a second. Taking it in. I wonder what my new school will be like. I've been to plenty, Mom and I always had to move around. But.. I've never moved this far. What if I make no friends? Wait, what am I talking about, I did fine the last three schools. I had like one friend there. I see grandpa at the door, fumbling for his keys with a handful of luggage.

"Let's get a move-on, Sally!" Grandpa hollers, carrying some bags and suitcases into the house after he had finally unlocked the door.

"Okay!" I yell back, I grab a bag of my clothing and a small suitcase of my art stuff, Grandma has the rest.

I slam the car door and walk into the house. It's... definitely something. I've been here before, but not when I could remember. Probably when I was a wee-little Sally. It smells like Grandparents. And looks like it too. Grandma drops the suitcases in the floor and waves me over into the hallway. I follow her. She stands infront of a white door, holding the nob.

"We didn't know if you'd like it, but this is going to be your room."

"Oh she'll love it!" Grandpa cuts in from the kitchen. "I just know it."

Grandma smiles. They're doing their best, I know. But if they could try just a little harder and get my pronouns right...

She opens the door, the room looks.. nice. For real this time. I walk in to get a better view. Theres a loft bed, fully made. It has a desk underneath. I walk towards it and place my art suitcase next to the desk on the floor. I turn around and theres a mirrow. It has gold decorative roses around it. It looks fancy. It's like an oval shape. I look at my reflection. My dyed dark blue, short hair looks messy from being in a car for 9 hours..

"It's.. it's great Grandma, thank you." I smile a bit, probably for the first time in a while.

"Oh good-y. What a relief." She sighs, "Well, hun. I'll let you get settled. We'll make dinner."

"Okay, Grandma." I nod, "Thank you."

She shuts the door and I walk back to the loft bed desk. I remove the camera from my neck and place it on the desk. I'll take a picture later. For now I think I'm just going to unpack.

The door to my room opens. It's weird calling it my room...

"Hi hun, dinners ready. We're at the table." Grandma smiles softly.

"Okay." I smile back. "I'll be out in a minute."

She only nods and shuts the door, leaving. I put away my last shirt, and sigh before leaving my room. I find my way to the dining room and sit at the small dinner table. Grandma sitting on one side, and Grandpa sitting on the other.

The silence as we ate dinner was so loud. I truly wanted to shrivel up and sleep in my bed back home the whole time. After we finished the chicken. We started to clean up. Atleast I think it was chicken...

"Sally, hun. You can go get washed up, we'll deal with cleaning up." Grandma offers, scrubbing some dishes in the sink.

"Uh- okay grandma. Uhm, where is the bathroom..?" I ask, bringing my plate to the counter.

"Grandpa will show you."

I turn around and grandpa leads me to a yellowing bathroom. It's small, has a tub and smells of cleaning supplies.

"Here ya go lass," he passes me a towel. "Don't scold yourself. Our water can get really hot."

"O-okay Grandpa, thank you." I really don't know what else I could say..

I go back to my room to grab a change of close, grey sweatpants and a sage green oversized t-shirt to sleep in. I go to the washroom and prepare myself to shower.

He was right, it does get hot.

"Ow!- shit." I yelped a few times.

I got out, suddenly tired. I head to my room, greeted by grandma setting a cup of tea on my desk.

"Oh dear-y me. I hadn't noticed you were there. Here you go, hun. It's chamomile." She smiles softly and begins to walk out.

"Thank you.."

The door shuts, and I stare at the tea. I take a seat, the chair squeeks. My wet hair dripping onto my shoulders, I take a sip. It's warm. The perfect temperature. My eyes focus on the camera sitting on the desk too. I.. I miss mom. I really do. I hate this. I want to be home, home is with mom, wherever she is.

Notes

sorry I couldn't write more, I really wanted to get this out. Hopefully you all like it :) I plan on updating in two days.

P.S. Sallys blue hair has nothing to do with Sals hair :)