Aria Hale stepped through her front door. She fumbled up the stairs without checking if anyone else was home. The scent of cedar wafted through the house. Aria turned into her art studio right next to her bedroom. It was big and had a large bay window. Aria had scattered around scraps of fabric and stray buttons. There was a string of ribbon nestled under the rug. She plopped down on the grey swivel chair and spun around, swiping her socks across the hard wood floor. Aria jumped when she heard a thump behind her.
A jumble of boxes dropped onto the floor. Mrs. Hale stood next to them, inspecting the clutter in the art room. Aria watched her mom eyes move from wall to wall. Aria rose her eyebrows.
"When do you think you will start packing, young lady?" Aria's mother questioned, nudging the empty boxes further into the room.
Aria shrugged, "Well, I'm not exactly adjusted to the idea to moving to California. I mean, I will be leaving everything; my school, my friends, the big city." Aria sighed.
Her mother picked up an askew paintbrush and spun it between her fingers. "Honey, I'm sorry. If I knew someone you could stay with until you graduate then..." She trailed off, setting down the paintbrush.
Aria's eyes widened. She though of the wonderful possibility of staying. "I would miss you, though," Her mother finished.
Aria gave her a half smile, "I would miss you, too."
Later that evening, Aria sat at her sewing machine. Her foot lightly pressed down on the pedal. She rested her head on her hand and watched the needle repeatedly go up and down. Suddenly, Aria's head propped up. She reached for her phone and composed a text.
She wrote: HEY BROOKE :) ANY CHANCE I COULD STAY WITH YOUR FAMILY FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF?
Aria laughed at herself. She had just met Brooke that day. She figured it was worth a try. She would do anything to stay.
