Comfortably Numb

Chapter 1: Getting Things Started

All my life, I have always hated change. It started when I was eight years old. Growing up in Texas, I had a good life, considering my young age. I remember I would always play with my neighbors who lived in the house front of mine. We would play dress-up, hide and seek, and play outside. You know, normal little kid things.

I went to school, and I made fast friends. Even my parents became friends with their parents! It seemed like a perfect life, right? But, there is always a downfall in some point in time. My papa died of liver cancer when I was nine years old. It never affected me much, considering I was never really close to him, but since he was my mother's father, she was devastated.

She wanted to move to the town he lived in so she could take care of her mother. The town was only a hour away, but I was totally against it. I remember the brown cardboard boxes, the emptying of rooms, and the 'for sale' sign in our front yard. I hated it. Why did I have to go, when everything seemed fine?

We moved to the new town the summer before fourth grade. Our new house was bigger than our old one, and my new room had a large window with a window seat underneath. I liked it, but it just didn't feel like home. My mom told me if I wanted it to be home, I had to make it home, so I tried, for my mother's sake.

Mom's grief didn't last long, and she got over the death of my papa quickly, which was good. My nana, her mother, had a bit of trouble, but she soon busied herself with other things to get her mind off of him. My mom got a new job owning a small boutique downtown, and my dad went into the police profession. Things seemed to settle down, and I started to get used to the new life.

Then, school came along. Saying that I was scared was an understatement. I was terrified. I didn't know anyone, and I was worried that no one would like me. My mom considered home schooling me, but soon settled on the fact that if I wanted a good life, I needed to face my fear and meet new people.

I remember buying many new clothes, in hopes of boosting my confidence, which it did. And when the first day of school came along, I was ready. Scared, but ready.

People stared at me, but I expected it. I liked my classes, and my teachers. I started to like this new school better than my old one. I met some new people, and they were all very nice. I made friends with Kasey, a young girl with bright red hair and dark blue eyes, Jonathan, who was a bit shy, but had the cutest freckles spread across his face, and lastly, Nina, who was bright and lively, with the straightest black hair I've ever seen. They all accepted me quickly, and we became very good friends.

Things went great, and it seemed like everything was perfect. My grades were a little above average, I made quite a bit of friends, I found a boy I had a crush on (his name was Peter, totally the eye candy of fifth grade), and once junior high came around, I fell in love with sports.

Volleyball, track, and soccer became my life. I focused all my attention to those sports, and it was my getaway from everything. I loved volleyball the most. Most people consider it such an easy, girly game, but in reality, it takes skill and logic. I like how it's kind of like a puzzle, and once you all are in the correct positions, it all works together perfectly. And when you're in the game, you seem to forget about everything else around you. It's just you and that ball. Volleyball is an escape from everything.

By the end of eighth grade, I loved my life. I had all the friends I could ask for, the grades were good, teachers were nice, and my parents were happy. I went to high school, and continued on with my sports, and grades became harder to maintain, but I did it. I made more friends, and even found a new boy to like. His name was George, and he had a six pack. Life was good. But, when everything seems perfect, there is always a crack in the road, waiting for someone to trip.

My mom and dad started fighting over financial issues. My dad got fired from his job, and the money Mom was bringing in just wasn't enough. They started to scream and yell, and I remember lonely nights huddled in my sheets, scared to come out. I remember praying over and over again, hoping that they would stop. That a miracle would happen and everything would be okay again. But, a miracle never came.

Right before school let out for summer vacation of my sophomore year, Mom and Dad got a divorce. Mom couldn't handle it, and Dad didn't want to be with my mom anymore. Mom took me, and Dad got everything else.

What were we supposed to do? That's right, pack up and leave.

So, here I am, at the local airport in Dallas, waiting for my flight to Los Angeles, California. My mom wanted change, and even though I despised her decision, I couldn't back out now. So here I sat with my mom, everything we own at our feet, waiting to go halfway across the country to a place I have never been. And you could say I am scared sick.

"Are you excited, sweetheart?" Mom says with a hopeful look in her eye. It makes me feel guilty, knowing that I'm not excited at all about this new life ahead of us. I was planning on finishing high school with all of my friends, and then when college came around, that's when we would go our separate ways. Not now.

"Just a little scared!" I said. I mean, that was halfway true. She gave me a smile. "Don't worry about a thing, Grayson. It's just you and me! You'll love L.A. Amazing places to shop, eat, beaches, and even some cute boys," Said Mom, with a little wink.

"Mother!" I say back, laughing at her. I loved how my mom was always hopeful, even in the worst situations. Mom leaned back in her chair and let out a breath, "I think this will help both of us. Maybe us getting away from everything will help, you know? I know you were doing great in school, and you had friends, but sometimes change can be a good thing."

"I sure hope so,"

********************

welcome to my new story, Comfortably Numb!

i really hope you enjoyed the first chapter and i will update it regularly.

thanks for reading! if you liked it, tell me :)

-austyn xo