Life As We Know It

Changes

Authors note: the blonde older woman is Thea's mom April. The dashing older man is Mr. Jackson.
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3 months into the school year, pretty boring. I don't even know why I need to go to school, half the stuff I don't care about or is just too easy. Cassie's made new friends and hasn't been able to hang around me that much. But we always save the weekend for each other. Mom's back as well, she seemed happier this time around which is weird. A few things have changed but it's not so bad.
"Thea, come here for a second" yelled mom from downstairs. "Why?" I yelled back. "Just come here," she yelled again. I grudgingly got out of bed and went downstairs. "Mom, its like 7 pm aren't you usually getting ready to leave or something?" I questioned. "Not tonight, could you go next door and see if the Jacksons want to come over to dinner?" She asked. I didn't even notice she was cooking, because she never does. Ever.
"I'm sure they're busy or have already eaten dinner," I said as I turned around and started heading back up the stairs. "Can you at least go check? This is my thank you for keeping an eye on my daughter when I was gone pasta" she giggled to herself a little. I raised my eyebrow, "You know I'm 15 right? I can pretty much take care of myself." She turned to face me, "I know you ate junk food the whole time, unless you were at their house. That's not exactly taking care of yourself hunny." I rolled my eyes, "Fine fine, I'll go ask but don't be mad if they say no or already have plans."

10 minutes later.....
"Okay so I guess they all wanted to come," I told her as we walked in. She smirked at me and then started greeting everyone with hugs and how've you been?"
"April, how was your trip? Good news I hope" asked Mr. Jackson. "Yes yes, that might've been another reason why I invited the whole gang here" she giggled again to herself. By now we were all sitting down and started eating mom's famous pasta dish, let me tell you though...not so good. She never was a cook. "Oh I'm so excited to hear!" Cassie burst out. "Well I met someone while in New York, he's a pretty well known photographer there. Anyway he taught me many things and basically asked me to move there! He said he'd help me steer my career where I want it to go" She said excitedly. I just stared, Mr. Jackson stopped mid bite, Cassie dropped her fork, and Jamie (who is Cassie's brother) just kept eating. Like something big was not just announced.
So mom's super excited to finally get noticed and we are all in shock. I mean we are used to her doing and saying crazy, ridiculous things, but usually never a follow through. "Um good for you? Are you actually going?" I said questioning this decision. "Hey that's not very sincere nor nice Thea. I know you just started high school and you probably don't want to move, but ---" she started saying, "uh yeah. I am not moving, hell no!" I interrupted her. Everyone kinda just stared at us, except Jamie, who only cares about the food. "Well maybe if you had let me finish you'd know I was gonna tell you, you could stay here" she said. I let out a sigh, thinking that was super close to a big life changing event for me. "But only if the Jackson's will let you stay with them. Because I'm planning to sell the house" she smiled at me and then got up from the table to clean up her plate. Mr. Jackson looked over at me still a little surprised, "I mean we do have a spare bedroom, well it's the attic. We'd have to clean it up a bit, but I'd be happy to have you. Your family." "Yeah you're my sister and it could be really fun," Cassie said after realizing this wasn't a dream. Jamie looked at me and said "You're cool people, I wouldn't mind." I'm glad they accepted me and all but I don't like change. How exactly will I get my alone time now?
"Well see looks like it's settled, I'll put the house up for sale tomorrow!" Mom said excitedly. I don't know why but I feel like there's gonna be more than just this that's changing in my life this year.

One week later...
Mom's in New York now, living her dream. I do hope it works out for her, I'm just surprised she didn't even try to ask if I wanted to come. I mean I wouldn't have, but I just wish she showed me that she actually wanted me around. All I have now is Cassie, my best friend, my sister. I mean of course there is Mr. Jackson and Jamie but it's not the same, they don't completely understand me the way she does.
"Thea are you just gonna stand there day dreaming? Come help," Cassie nudged me with a box. We are cleaning the attic now, since it's the weekend and we're all free. Even Jamie's helping out which is weird and hopefully not just out of sympathy. "Yeah yeah, I was just admiring the view from up here" I replied. They had a big circular window on the opposite side of the stairs. It was a pretty view, seeing the sun shining down on the trees and flowers. Watching the birds fly around. You could almost see the city from there. I knew San Diego was beautiful and all, but maybe I haven't really appreciated it much. I picked up a box and headed down to the basement, that's where all of their old, dusty attic stuff was going. There's still so much to clean still and then move all my stuff from the old house too. Mom sold everything else she wasn't planning to take. A few people have checked the place out so far, but hasn't gotten a bid yet. I wonder if mom will come back and visit me still. I wouldn't mind a phone call every now and then. I might actually miss her now that I know she's not just gonna come back after a week or so. I just hope she doesn't forget me.