Silver Lining ❥ daerin

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐: 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

𝚂̷𝚊̷𝚐̷𝚎̷

I stood in the middle of the large, empty dining area, setting the table with a mix of excitement and anxiety. The space was vast and echoing, with only a table and three chairs to break up the emptiness. The rest of the house was still being unpacked, and it felt like a cavernous shell waiting to be filled with memories and warmth.

I carefully placed the plates and glasses on the table, trying to make the best of the sparse furnishings. The food was simple—nothing more than what we had managed to unpack so far. It wasn't much, but it was a start. As I adjusted the placement of the utensils, I heard my parents calling from outside.

"Sage, can you come help with the boxes?" my mother's voice drifted through the open window.

"On my way!" I called back, grabbing a quick drink of water before heading outside.

The driveway was bustling with activity. The moving truck, which had been packed to the brim earlier, was now half empty. Movers were carrying boxes and furniture into the house, and my parents were directing the process, their faces a mix of exhaustion and determination.

I was about to step closer to help when a loud rev of an engine cut through the evening quiet. My heart skipped a beat as I turned to see a sleek, black motorcycle roaring down the street. The bike's engine growled aggressively, the sound piercing the calm of our new neighbourhood.

I watched as the motorcycle, ridden by a woman in a leather jacket, sped past. The bike was fast, and the noise was almost unbearable. The rider maneuvered effortlessly, and before long, she turned into the driveway next door.

My stomach twisted with a mix of frustration and unease. I had always been sensitive to loud noises, and the motorcycle's roar seemed to disrupt the tranquility I had hoped to find here. I knew I had to keep an open mind, but the idea of living next to someone with such a noisy vehicle made me nervous. I didn't want to judge her based on first impressions alone, but it was hard not to worry about how this might affect my already fragile sleep schedule.

As I stood there, trying to shake off the annoyance, the moving truck's door creaked open again. I turned my attention back to my parents, who were gesturing for me to come over. I sighed and walked towards them, doing my best to focus on the task at hand rather than the disruptive noise.

"Can you help us with this box?" my dad asked as I approached.

"Sure," I replied, grabbing the box and carrying it into the house.

Despite the noise and my worries, I reminded myself to stay positive. This was a new beginning, and I needed to give it a fair chance. I tried to focus on the good things—the fresh start, the new surroundings, and the chance to make new memories.

I carried the box into the living room, setting it down among the other half-unpacked items scattered around. The space was still bare, but it had potential. I could picture it filled with our furniture, the walls adorned with family photos, maybe even a few plants by the windows. It would take some time, but eventually, this house would start to feel like home.

As I stood there, lost in thought, my mum walked in, wiping sweat from her forehead. "Thanks, Sage. We're almost done with the heavy stuff. After dinner, we'll start unpacking the rest."

I nodded, offering her a small smile. "I've already set the table. Just waiting on you two."

She smiled back, the tiredness in her eyes softening for a moment. "You're a lifesaver. This whole moving process has been... a lot."

"Yeah," I agreed, glancing around at the boxes. "But it'll be worth it."

I followed her back outside to help with the last few boxes, the air still tinged with the faint scent of exhaust from the motorcycle next door. I tried not to think about it, pushing away the irritation that threatened to bubble up. It wasn't fair to judge my new neighbour off of one loud entrance, even if the noise had already rattled me more than I cared to admit.