To Astrid, With Love

1

2005, October

Astrid

"Honey, can you go and get the other boxes in the truck?" I heard mom call out from the living room.

"Okay," I replied almost to myself.

I grabbed the last box and heeded myself up the porch and into the room. "Mom, where do I put this?" I hum as I track on my toes around the place like I was familiar of it. I grew up moving from one house to another, as much as I wanted to feel familiar with them, I started to try and not to. If you were my parents' daughter, don't. Just don't waste your time.

"Put it by the fireplace, honey. Thanks!" I heard her respond from the front door.

"I'm checking the rooms, mom!" I yelled as I semi-jogged towards the wooden stairs and I didn't hear her reply.

I got up to see two rooms, enough for the three of us, I guess. I reached out to grab the knob of the first door, wooden. Everything here was wooden. I felt the dust particle stick to my sweaty hands as I twisted it open, revealing to me a room—an average one. It wasn't that big but I could fit a bed and a study table inside, only, I would have to ask for a queen-sized bed.

Today was a different day. Today was exhausting, and I didn't even know why...

I plopped myself down onto the bed, forgetting that the room may or may not have been occupied before. Instead, the dust particles crowded the air and I was left to choke, coughing. Not to mention the fact that some of it got into my eye, so basically, I can't see anything with them closed.

I gasped for air and stood up, trying to fan away the dust like it would help.

After regaining myself, I walked over to the window and peeked over. The window gave me an overview to our front yard. Grasses and a mailbox..and a fence. I slowly drag my gaze to the side and see dad talking to one of the neighbors. This was one thing about changing homes, dad always seemed to know everyone across the town. He didn't have any problem adjusting.

I wish I did too, with the school. I never really had long-term friends. I was never entitled to have one because of all these moving. Well, technically I did have one, Abby. Abby from sophomore year, but it was hard keeping in touch. We would meet from time to time, I had her house number, that's why.

"Astrid! Come down, honey!" I heard mom call out from the bottom of the stairs.

I sprinted down the stairs and found mom waiting, "Go ahead to the truck, we'll be having dinner outside. I don't think I can cook here tonight, there's too much things to move around." She smiled at me exhaustedly.

I nodded and went ahead to the truck then climbed on the backseat. Dad opened the driver's seat and turned the engine on.

"Where are we off to?" Dad asked mom when she got into the passenger seat.

"Off to that Chinese restaurant we always go to." She shrugged and gave dad a smile while he was wiping her forehead sweat.

That was a good thing with dad and mom's relationship. No matter how life was hard for us, they never really had the time to yell at each other's face. They were always so caring and sweet to each other. That was also one thing that I wanted to be of my future husband, just like dad. I wanted to have what they had. Well, I'm still eighteen, so I don't think I have to worry about finding a stable relationship for now.

We drove off from the neighborhood to the busy streets of the city when I heard mom speak from the front seat. "Honey?"

"Hmm?" I drifted my gaze from the window to her.