Faria

Chapter One - California Folks

The sun looked me in my eyes as the car chugged along in the jam packed road. My shirt clung to my damp skin, and my tangled hair hung loosely at my back.

"Mom, did our car stop working? I swear, I saw a turtle run past and he was laughing at us. Laughing, mom, laughing!" I groaned, leaning forward.

"Sweetie, we'll be there in a minute, don't worry. You just focus on finishing your work." my mom replied, still staring at the road for any chances of escape from the crowded battlefield.

I sighed and leaned back in my seat, arms folded against my chest. We were moving to California and at that time, it felt horrible. I had expected it to be magical, wonderful, something I could've bragged about. Yep, the chances I had of liking that place was as big as a crumb. A disintegrating crumb.

     "Come on Nina, give mom a break. Besides, you'll make new friends and visit the Golden Gate Bridge and do all of that stuff." Emmie, my big sister said.

"I need a break." I grumbled, slouching in my seat.

Emmie's actual name is Elliot but she orders everyone to call her Emmie. She's also pretty nice. Not like other siblings. She also calls me Nina instead of Nikki, because that's what I used to call myself when I was little, and she likes that instead of Nikki. She helps me with my homework when mom can't, (which is a lot) and she's my babysitter when mom can't come home from work.

Which brings us into the reason why we are moving. Mom is a teacher at the Timmle Middle School, (the name always makes me laugh so mom never allows me to stand in front of the older teachers but sometimes she doesn't have an option. The teachers in their 60's or 70's get offended and say, "ARE YOU LAUGHING AT ME! DISGRACEFUL CHILD!!!!". The old got a temper.) and she got a job opportunity at another middle school with higher pay for the same amount of hours. Fortunately, this school never does unscheduled meetings, so she can tell us if she will have to come home late that day and I will know when to call my friends. Unfortunately, it's in California. It would've been a good trip but it wasn't. Here's why.

First of all, we missed our flight because I thought I lost my passport but then I found it in my suitcase. Then, we found out that mom's new school won't let mom join if she doesn't come soon. So that left us with no other choice then to go by car. And now...we're stuck on the highway.

Typical.

"Have you finished your work Nikki?" my mom calls out from the front seat.

"No, 'cause I don't wanna" I grumble.

"You have to, otherwise you won't be caught up to the others in your grade." my mom persuades. 

"Fine."

I stare at my work, trying not to roll my eyes.

I've always had a grudge with homework and I don't think that problem can be fixed.

I stare at the snooty numbers and sneer at it.

After a while, I finish my homework.

"We there yet?" I ask.

"Almost, we just have to-" my mom begins but Emmie interupts her.

"The Golden Gate bridge!" she squeals, taking out her phone and clicking a picture because she obviously wants it as her phone's wallpaper.

I take out my phone and take a picture too because, well, why not?

Emmie leans over and peeks at my phone.

"OMG, you are amazeballs at taking pictures! Can you send that pic to me, I wanna make it my wallpaper and bragtomyfriendsaboutit!" Emmie comments, squeezing my hand.