The wishing door

Chapter 1: New beginnings

After living in the same house all your life things become normal and a part of your everyday schedule, except when things don't. Things changed when dad suddenly got a new job and moved out with all his stuff, only leaving behind some money and faint memories, or were they all dreams? Ah, who cares, I get to live with my mom and little brother! It was fine until dad stopped sending money and cut us completely out of his life. I kind of saw it coming though to be honest, though most of my memories of my dad are mixed in with daydreams, the arguments my parents had were very real. It's better for them to be seperated, less trauma for my brother and I! What started out as a loving, well close, family turned into a single, hardworking, mother of two. I tried not to cause my mother trouble by never going on any school trips and just taking the leftovers from my friends at school. I know she's doing her best for us but I wanted to take some stress off of her back.

Remember when I said things become normal when you've lived in the same place all your life? Well that changed for me when I got the sudden news that we had to move out. Apparently dad was taking the house in the divorce, he didn't want us so mom got full custody, what a great father. Grandma was kind enough to put mom in her will before she died though and gave her full custody of her house. I never knew my grandmother, I apparently look a lot like her even though i've never seen her before. So it was time to pack up and start a new life.

The cool wind blew in my face making my hair fly, you'd almost think I was in a tornado. Light music was playing from the radio, some classics from the 80s. My mother softly humming to the current song while driving past the autumn trees and houses that were soon going to be my new familiar. I would be listening to my music but it would be hopeless with the powerful wind blowing through. Deep breaths are all that can calm me with this hair that I wish to chop off at times.

After a million bathroom breaks and what seemed to be thousands of are we there yets, we finally pulled into the driveway of this ranch house. There was a beautiful big oak tree in the front yard, dusted with light shades of red and orange and a few brown leaves laying on the ground below. The house was fairly put together, a few spots of chipped paint and it definitely needed a clean up, but overall it almost seemed like someone tried to keep it decent while waiting for someone to take over. Mom put the car in park but just before we could get out of the car she said, "Listen, I know this is going to be hard to adjust to but let's try to make the most of it. We can set some ground rules after we get unpacked and maybe get something to eat but for now let's check out the house and settle rooms. If I remember correctly you both get your own rooms." A squeal from the back was all my mom and I needed to know that Rue was ready to roll.

We all stepped out of the car and Rue ran around to the front, running up to the door first. "I don't know where he gets all that energy from," I mutter under my breath. Mom tells me that someday I'll miss having him around, I think I can disagree. Always having an energetic person close by can get annoying, especially when they're related to you, but nonetheless he's all I've got. "Woah, slow your roll there Apple Pie, the cars not on fire," I call while walking up to the house.

Now that I'm closer I can get a better look at it. The structure is nice, and it really does feel like a place I can call home. It's actually quite beautiful, grandma had some good taste. Opening the front door, you're hit with a smell as old as time, not a bad one but one that seems so familiar, you just can't put your finger on it. Rue ran off towards the kitchen and mom and I soon followed after. There was a circular table with two chairs sitting beside each other. Some outdated newspapers spread across the table from various years collecting dust just to be thrown out.

Rue was going through the cabinets with mom while I went to look around some more. I head left of the kitchen and find the bedrooms. "Well since I got here first I think it's fair I get first choice." There are 3 bedrooms, as mom explained before we got here, the master bedroom which was obviously her's and two regular sized rooms. It was an obvious choice for me, picking the one closest to the bathroom and the kitchen. Chefs kiss.

The room was dark and dim from the closed blinds with only the small lines of sunlight hitting the carpet. Twisting the blinds open and letting the last of the sunlight spill into the room, I got a better view There was an old tattered dresser and a queen sized bed covered in dust and old sheets. The carpet, what seemed to be white, now a greyish yellow, hopefully there were no animals to influence that yellow. Little thuds echo across the house and a thud at the door is followed by a small whine," Aw I wanted this room! Do you think we could trade?" I look at Rue for a second as he attempts to make puppy eyes, "Yeah no. I was here first." Rue gave an upset look as he ran back into the kitchen yelling for mom.

I set my phone on my bed and head back into the kitchen, leaving it there will encourage me to go back. I head outside to see the back of the car open and mom handing Rue things to bring inside. Rue being the little Shera he is, tries to bring in all the pillows, his luggage, and stuff that was in the back seat with him on the ride here. Of course everything was falling so I grabbed a few things and he ran inside. A quick thank you from mom and some kitchen appliances and I'm heading back inside. When walking back inside a shadow passes by in a hurry. I try to ignore it but I can't. I dropped the stuff off inside and ran back out to the front. Rue, still going back and forth from the car, noticed I was creeping towards the big oak tree. "Don't think you can get out of this, come help mom and me!" "Mom and I," shouts back from the car. "Same difference!" Walking towards the tree I see a flick and swish of a tail.

Meow.

A little cat rubbing against the tree steals my heart in an instance. An Aww comes from behind me and, like a child, Rue tries to run up and pet the cat. "Woah hold on, you don't want to scare it!" Rue had the biggest pleading eyes and a slow turn of his head, "But it's so cute! Please can I pet it? Please?!?!" Mom heard the commotion and walked towards our spot to notice the cat still rubbing against the tree only a little more on edge from the yelling. "Let's leave the cat alone for now, it's getting dark and I would like to get this stuff in the house as soon as we can. If the cat is still here by tomorrow we can pick up some cat food at the store and try to find it's owners.

With that we got up and finished unpacking the car as the cat stood by the tree confused as to what we were doing, watching our every move closely. We went to the closest gas station to pick up something for dinner, when we got back the cat was fast asleep under the tree lying with the fallen leaves. We ate at the table and got ready for bed. Looking out the front window was Rue in his pajamas. "The kitty is still there," Looking up at me, "Do you think we'll get to keep it?" "I don't know Apple Pie, we'll have to see if the kitty has an owner first and then it's up to mom. Taking care of a cat is a big responsibility and a stinky one." We both looked out to see the shadow of the curled up cat, a mere outline of light surrounding its fur.

Rue got up and ran to the bathroom to brush his teeth and I soon followed after. Brushing my teeth and changing into pajamas I laid a blanket over top of the sheets on the bed, I don't trust them. Deciding to put my clothes away tomorrow, I grab my phone and check my messages. A message from mom from earlier when she needed help unpacking, messages from a group chat of all my friends, and a message from ... dad?