Something New

Part 2:

Pulling up in the drive way, I already knew to expect my mother wanting me to do something awkward for our new neighbors.

"Adam! Come here habibi!" My mothers sweet voice called.

"Hi Umi." I greeted, giving her a kiss on the forehead. My mom is so much shorter than me. She comes as tall to my shoulder.

"Take this pita and hummus to the new neighbors. They'll love it."

"Mom, they're black. They're not gonna want this stuff." I said, looking down at her.

"Hush, they will. Now go take them the food. Say it's on the behalf of the Nadeem family." She pushed me out the door and watched me walk up to the new neighbors door. I rolled my eyes and rang the ivory colored doorbell.

A heavyset man who looks about 50 or so answered the door.

"Hello, can I help you?"

"Um, yes. I'm Adam Nadeem. I live across the street. We'd like to give you this." I babbled on.

"Oh! How kind! Come on in." He smiled, opening the door wider.

I walked in the well decorated house and followed the jolly man into the kitchen. A woman with short jet black hair, wide hips and familiar eyes walked into the kitchen. "Well hello sweet heart!'

"Hello, I'm your neighbor Adam."

"Adam, nice to meet you!" She pulled me in for a warm hug.

"Oh Nubia, don't scare the boy!" The jolly man laughed, then directed his attention towards me. "My wife is a little touchy."

"It's okay. I don't mind." I smiled.

"Well, I'm Nubia Jones and that chubby man right there is Kreg Jones." She laughed, taking the food out of my hands. I looked around the kitchen. Its' bright colors like, yellow and red. Fall colors. I noticed a painting hung above the sink. It was beauiful, swirls of dark purple accented with vivid silver.

"I see you noticed our painting." Mrs. Jones smiled, reading my mind.

"Yes, it's amazing." I replied in awe.

"Yeah, our daughter painted it and insisted it'd be put in the kitchen. It doesn't really match..."

"She's an amazing artist. You guys have some serious talent on your hands." I said, defending the girl who created such a piece.

"Why thank you sweety, would you like something to drink?"

"No thanks, I should head back home. My mom is probably waiting," I said walking towards the front door.

"Well you're welcome over any time! Tell your mother we should have dinner sometime." Mr. Jones offered kindly.

"Okay, I'll tell her. You guys have a good night." As I walked out the door, a dark purple Sonata pulled into the driveway blasting Daft Punk.

"If you do it right, letting go all night-" out stepped Anhayla, carrying two boxes.

"Anhayla? You're my new neighbor?" I bubbled happily and in almost disbelief.

"Adam! Omg, you're the one who brought over hummus and pita! I hurried over soon as I got the text from my mom."

I grabbed one of the boxes and walked with her to the front door. "Yeah, we're Lebanese. My mom made it."

"Gee, that's so nice. We haven't gotten a welcoming gift in so long."

She took a seat on the peach swing that hung from the balcony and patted the empty seat next to her. I put the bo downc and sat.

"I really like it here so far. I was a little nervous at first, but it's a thousand times better." She spoke.

"Why a thousand times better?" I quirked an eyebrow.

She smiled at me, her warm brown eyes meeting with my hazel ones. "Because I met my awesome new neighbor."