Close As Strangers

Chapter One

   It's hard leaving your hometown. I don't even want to move away, but I have to. My family is small and broken, consisting of one younger sister and my mother. My father, well, he was an alcoholic, a man who acted as if he hated his family. I've always protected my sister from him and his evil ways, but I couldn't always be there to protect my mother; it killed me to know that I couldn't do anything about everything that was going on. Everything happened in a flash. Things used to be easy, but everyone knows that things change over time and I, along with my sister and mother, have to accept that.

   I've never been here before; I've never even heard of this place. What're we doing here? That's all I can bring myself to think as we drive through the small town, music blaring through my headphones. My mother seems sad, broken. I don't blame her. I'm not looking forward to going to a new school filled with people I don't know. Will I make friends, or enemies? Everything is happening all at once and I don't know how I feel about it quite yet.

                                                                                                 ***

   At least I don't have to share a room. I thought to myself as I unpacked my things. Honestly, I think that unpacking is a lot harder than packing and takes up a lot more time. A sudden knock on my new bedroom door interrupts my thoughts.

   "Come in", I replied to the person knocking at my door.

   "Hey, Devon", my mom said softly as she walked in. "How are you holding up?"

   "Okayish, I guess", I replied bluntly.

   My mom sighed softly before answering. "I know, it's hard moving away from all your friends...But, we need this. We need a fresh start"

   "I know, mom...I know. I just don't know how I feel about everything quite yet, that's all", I smiled a bit.

   "Do you need help unpacking your things?", she changed the subject after nodding and smiling back.

   "No, I got it. Thanks, though. How's Amy doing?", I asked a bit worriedly.

   "She seems to be doing alright, but I'm not sure. Maybe you can try talking to her", my mom smiled softly. "Well, I'm going to go finish unpacking my things. Let me know if you need anything", she said before walking out of my room.

   I went back to unpacking my clothes after my mom walked out of the room. Every item I pulled out of my bags reminded me of home and brought back simple, yet stupid, memories. I'm sure everything will be somewhat better by tomorrow morning; 10 hours left until I have to be up for my 'first day' of school.

                                                                                                   ***

   I was somewhat right. Things were a little better, but not a whole lot. I'm all ready for school on the outside, but on the inside, I'm terrified. What if people don't like me? Amy comes running down the stairs with her hair pulled up in a messy bun and looking cute as always. She looks more ready than I am, but I'm not going to make assumptions.

   "Are you ready? I'm driving us to school", I asked Amy, grabbing the arm of my backpack nervously.

   "Yea..", she let out a deep breath, as if she was holding it in forever. "I'm ready", Amy relieved herself with a smile.

   I smiled back and looked at my mom as she walked towards the two of us.

   "Have a good day, girls", my mom smiled with tears welling up in her eyes.