PROJECT: NYNE

Part One/Chapter One: Xena [Edited]

PART ONE

Chapter One: Xena

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My mother glared up at me over her glasses' rims, her lips pursed in a tight frown. I stood near the middle of the living room, while she sat with her legs crossed to match her arms. 

"Don't argue with me Xena, the house is already bought. There's nothing you can do, so save your breath." She sighed as she set her book down on the coffee table and took off her reading glasses. I could tell she was tired of hearing my complaints and was a bit flustered, but I felt like she wasn't really hearing me. Being my father's daughter, I was a persistant and stubborn person so I continued on with my nagging. My mind was focused on one thing, and one thing only.

I could not let her move us to some little town in California. I had heard many bad rumors about that place, and even though they probably weren't true, I wasn't too keen on finding out for myself. Besides, I was perfectly content in Chicago... sort of. Sure, there was only one person who actually accepted me, for me, but it was all I'd ever known. I didn't need some stupid little California place to make me feel better.

"But... but Mom!" I pleaded, running out of ideas. We must have been going at it for over an hour. I was surprised Xavier, my seven-year-old little brother, hadn't woken up yet. "Please! You can't do this! You know no one likes me! I'm a freak!"

 "-Xena"My mother cut me off. I scowled. You aren't a freak. You're just... special. No one else is like you..." Here she seemed to space out, but blinked back into reality. "But that doesn't mean no one understands you. Those other kids are just jealous, is all. ...You need to start fresh. No one knows about you in Cali. And this big city is unsafe. It will be a new experience-"

"-I don't care about new experiences. This is home."

"Xena..."

"Dad would agree with me," I mumbled. I knew it was a low blow and regretted it as soon as the words left my lips. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't..."

My mother gave me a stern look, then closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Go to bed. We have a lot to do tomorrow."

"Mom, I..." 

"Go on."

I stared at her, and she dismissed me with a wave of her hand. I felt like screaming, but I thought better of it and slunk into my room. With a groan, I fell flat onto my sleeping bag, which had been carelessly tossed on the ground that morning. I buried my face in my fluffy pillow and cried for a while, then stole a glance around my room. It was faintly illuminated by moonlight, and my everything was packed into cardboard boxes. I sniffled, and sighed. There wasn't anything but the pillow I could chuck across the room to satisfy my anger, but I didn't want to let it go.

Yeah, they won't be same as the people here... they'll be worse. I thought miserably.

I was so pessimistic, and was sick of it, yet also well aware of the fact that there was nothing I could do about it. I pouted for a while, pitying myself. Soon enough, I realized I wasn't accomplishing anything, so I curled up in a tight ball and attempted sleep. After a few long seconds, an image materialized under my closed eyelids.

Dad.

I hadn't really thought about him in years. For a couple moments I pondered on what had stricken this memory, then decided it was from my mumbling to my mother only minutes before.