Breaking the Rules

Chapter 1: The Rule of Meeting

"Heck yeah! I win. Pay up Ando!" I yell as I jump up off the red, soft rocking chair. I stick my hand out and wait for him to hand me the two dollars. Yeah, I know two dollars isn't a lot, but it adds up.

I'm currently in my twelve year old brothers room playing a game of Call of Duty. We've both become pretty good over time, so these games get kinda intense. That's why we decided to start betting on them. We never know who's gonna win. It's never a lot of money, but like I said, it adds up.

He takes his leather wallet out and hands me two rinkled dollars. I thankfully take them and put them in my jean pocket.

"Another round?" He looks up at me with that award winning smile, even after loosing the last game. That's something I love my brother, he is never a sore loser. He uses his loss as a motivation to win next time. This makes it hard for me to say no.

"I wish I could, but I have homework to finish. Maybe later." The corners of his lips fall into a slight frown. I wish I could play another because I love spending time with Andy, but homework comes first.

"It's Saturday, can't you do it tomorrow?" His eyebrows fure in curiosity. Did he forget? I always do my homework early. You never know when something could come up, and not finishing homework isn't acceptable. I have these set of rules for myself to follow. Completing homework is very important. I need the best grades I can get.

"Tomorrow I'm hanging out with Jessica. So I have to finish it tonight." I explain to him. Andy signs but understands that it needs to be done. I head to my room, and immediately get started. I am almost finished when my eyes start to burn and ache for sleep. I force them to stay open just long enough to finish. Once I'm done, I doze off into a deep slumber.

*****
"Lex, I think your getting new neighbors!" A voice tells at me while I feel a consistant bounce on my bed. Ugh, who would be this happy at this hour? Jess would. Everything starts to come back to me, and I start to wake up. Jessica's coming over today, and she's always a morning person. I don't understand how. What's to like about mornings?

Jessica's my best friend. We have been friends ever since 3rd grade when 4th grader push me off the swing so she could take it. Jess marched over and helped me off the floor. Then she pushed the girl off the swing like she did to me. Looking down on her, she told her to never do that to me again. We were close ever since.

Wait? Did she say new neighbors? As in the house that's been vacant for 6 years.
"What?" I reply as I rub the sleep out of my eyes. My voice sounds scratchy and gross. Then again, I just did wake up from a way too hyper person at 8 o'clock.

"Your getting new neighbors." She repeats in excitement.

"Come here look." She gets off my bed and returns to the window. I groan. I somehow manage to get off the bed to see what she's looking at. I stumble to her on my shaky and tired legs. A beeping sound of a moving truck starts to ring. God those are annoying. I look down from the window and I see the new family moving next door.

I notice a middle aged lady. Probably in her mid 40s. I'm guessing she's the mother. Next my eyes wonder to the stern mad standing near to her. His hair is styled upward. He gives off a sense of authority through his appearance. I also spot a little girl whom looks around 5 or 6. She has on a pink, polka dot dress, and is playing with her dolls in the front yard. She's adorable. What a cute little family. It'll be nice to have them as neighbors.

"Yeah. That's nice." I shrug it off and walk back to my bed. Nothing too exciting. Ive never interacted much with my neighbors. I'll probably go say hello to them and introduce myself tomorrow. I want to let them settle in.