It was pouring outside when I got out of the taxi. The driver handed me my luggage and drove off instantly. I checked my pockets to find nothing but my red passport and air-pods. I looked around and found a man looking my age smoking a cigarette.
"Could I have one of those?" I asked while walking over to him. He didn't answer, just opened the box and pointed it at me. I put one of the cigarettes in my mouth and looked at him. I didn't even realize he had already handed me the lighter. I smiled awkwardly and put the fire near my face while taking a deep hit. "Thanks" I said before walking away.
I was supposed to meet my uncle here, at a bus station, in a different city. Different continent actually. Maybe one day I will tell the full story. For now I am simply staying with my uncle for my junior year.
I finished the cigarette and dropped it on the ground, stepping on it to make sure it's not burning anymore.
My hands were freezing because of the rain, so I put them in my pockets. There was something inside I don't remember putting. I take it out and find out it's a lighter. A simple black BIC lighter with a purple flower. How did it get in here... wait shit I forgot to give it back to that guy! I turned around to where he was standing but he was already gone.
Soon my uncle Christopher arrived. He got out of the car and smiled. "Well hello there, Hartley!" He pulled me into a tight hug. "Hi Chris, how have you been?" I asked. "Great, here let me take it for you." He grabbed my luggage and put it in his truck. "How was your flight? God I love flying at night, wish I was there with you" said Chris. I've always loved talking to him, so easygoing and laid-back.
I didn't even notice we were next to his house already. Did I mention that he was rich? Well he's a neurosurgeon which means he spends most of his time at work making paper. He doesn't have a wife nor any children so he's living alone. Chris's house wasn't huge or anything, yet it was luxurious and cozy at the same time.
He started showing me around.. "And here's your bedroom, I made sure you get your own bathroom and a built in closet. What do you think? Oh and I didn't know what color should I paint the room so I went with this light gre-" I cut him off. "Chris, i love it. Really." I hugged him. "It's more than I could ask for." I said. My uncle smiled, "Good, because I'm not touching a paintbrush ever again."
Chris headed towards the door "I'm gonna get your luggage and give you some time to rest, the jet lag must be crazy!" he said before walking out.
I laid down on the huge bed thinking about the next Monday. It's gonna be my first day at school which makes me really excited but there's so much that could go wrong. Soon I was fast asleep.
———
I woke up feeling so refreshed yet so confused. At first I didn't even recognize the room I was in. I stood up and headed towards my bathroom.
I washed my face in cold water and took all my toiletries out. I started putting all my stuff where I wanted them to be. Honestly it was so fun since I've never had my own bathroom.
When living with my parents I had to share everything with my mum, and let me tell you - it was getting so annoying. She didn't realize that I'm 17 now and that I need my private space. At least her brother gets it.
After doing my skincare and brushing my teeth I went downstairs to find my uncle, but I've only found a note stuck to the fridge.
Hi Hartley! Hope you slept well. I had to get to work earlier than I expected (so sorry about that) so I won't be able to make you any breakfast. Feel free to look around the kitchen and if you don't like anything there's some money on the counter top. Will be back around 9 pm.
He did in fact leave me some money. There was a 20$ bill right next to me. I was strictly taught to eat what's left in the fridge and to buy only what you really need but c'mon. I'm literally in US without my parents, gotta live a little.
I quickly changed into a pair of oversized jeans and a dark green vintage long sleeve. I put my old skateboarding vans slip ons, a reminder to buy a new pair because these look like they're about to break down any minute. I took my phone, my AirPods and my new keys and left the house.
I searched up where's the nearest Target, turns out it's only half a mile away so I decided to take a walk. Not as if I had any other options to choose from. I can't get a driving license, since I'm on a visa, I also couldn't take my board with me to the airport since it's so expensive to pay for extra luggage.
I put my airpods in, opened spotify and hit play to whatever was playing. No, never mind. I scrolled down to most recently added song to my playlist and played that. "Ain't Nothing Changed" by Loyle Carner.
.....
Soooooo that's the first chapter ig. Not much going on but i had to give you some backstory and stuff.
There's gonna be more dialogues and action but damn writing is hard.
Oh and 1k words???? I will try to reach around 2k per chapter but we'll see how that goes.
