Where We Should Be

Chapter 13

Ariana's P.O.V
I don't say a word in the taxi ride through New York to our new house because I'm too busy taking everything in and overthinking everything as normal. What if the house is tiny and dirty and I'll have to share my room with a screaming baby? What if it's ages away from the city and my school? What if I don't take well to school over here and I'm bullied and there are horrible girls like... What if I can't fit in? My throat feels tight with anxiety. I'm so far away from everything that makes me feel safe. These huge buildings, busy people, rude drivers, shops, noises; so many noises! Everything beginning to make me feel trapped and suffocated, I sit back in my seat and take a big, deep breath. With closed eyes, in my mind, I list any good things I can think of about being here:
1) So many shops.
2) Summer holidays are months long.
3) The boys here are meant to be super cute!

I hear a door open and realise we've stopped driving, we must've arrived at the house! I open my eyes immediately and stare out the window at hour new house. My mouth almost falls open at the sight of it but I can't let my parents see me reacting positively to any of this so I bite my lip and hurry out the large car to get my suitcases of things.

I smell fresh greenery and turn from the boot - or 'trunk' now I'm in America - to take in the sight. So far all I can see is a large, neatly cut hedge surrounding the premises and large black gates. Peaking over the top is pale wood and big glass windows. It looks so modern! The roof is flat and there is not a single brick in sight unlike all the houses back home. Are all houses in America this big? I'm shocked to find that inside, I'm really excited to explore the house but on the outside I just let on a small smile and sigh heavily as I walk past the stressy parents.

I watch as mum walks up to a small gadget near the gates and types in a code. I can't help but grin as the gates open automatically revealing a beautiful house that looks like something out of 'Grand Designs' - a tv show that anyone above the age of 30 chucks on while they're doing the ironing or whatever they do. It is quite interesting though, as boring as it may sound. I wonder how my parents afforded a house like this in such an expensive area! I guess the job here is really good.. Maybe I've been a bit hard on them this past couple weeks. I realise they wouldn't be doing this just to be difficult, it has negative effects on them too. 

On the other side of the gates, it's even more special! My eyes fall upon a short, white, marble staircase leading up to a cute oval-shaped door. Catching my attention, mum fiddles around in her handbag for some keys, making eye contact with me briefly. She sees me smiling and I see her relax a bit more. It's that moment I feel a little wave of guilt wash over me for making this even harder for them but I quickly brush it off before anyone notices.

I feel dad's comforting arm touch my back, leading me into the house from behind me. As soon as I walk in I have to bite my lip to repress my excitement. I'm not going to be so grumpy with everyone but I was being a bit too unfair before I saw the house and the city. Dad lets go of me and smiles, "Go ahead! Check out your new place!" I smile back at him and mum for the first time in 2 weeks and wander off to explore the house and claim by bedroom!