Marked By Fate

1 - Living Anew

"Pack your stuff now darling. We're moving tomorrow."

Those words came out of my mom's mouth yesterday. I'm now sitting on the backseat of our car on my phone texting my friends goodbye.

"Malayo pa?" tanong ng younger brother ko na nakaupo beside me.

"Just one more hour left Max." dad responded.

Max groaned "My butt is aching. I don't think I could handle this pain much longer!"

I rolled my eyes and said "Oh quit your whining Max. So dramatic."

"Whatever." he says and grabs his PSP.

I put on my earphones and shut my eyes hoping for a good nap.

.

.

I felt a hand on my shoulder "Wake up darling. We're here."

I opened my eyes and saw mom's face above mine smiling "Great, move your butt now darling. Grab your stuff and pick a room." she said.

I nodded and picked up my bags beneath my feet. I got out off the car and took a good look at our new house. It's not bad. Bigger than our old one. Walking in, mom instructed us on where the rooms were. "The room upstairs on the left side is larger than the one beside the bathroom." mom added.

Tumakbo si Max beside me and yelled "I call dibs on the larger room!"

"No fair! Beat you to it!" I yelled back and ran to him trying to out beat him.

I have longer legs since I'm taller and was the first one inside the large room.

"Ha! You can't outrun me brother." I teased him.

"Dang it!" He groaned in defeat.

"Don't worry, one day you'll be taller than me." I gave him a reasurring smile and patted his head.

"I know sis." He huffed and went to the other room.

I then started unpacking my things after Dad brought the boxes with my stuff in it in my room.

I designed my room in my liking. Silver and white sheets, implying simplicity yet elegant which complements the pure white painted walls. I grabbed my photo album full of memorable pictures in our old town with my family, friends and loved ones and made a collage of them on the wall over my bed. I left blank spaces to fill in with new memories in this new town.

Looking at my work, I smirked, satisfied. Looked around in search for what to do next, shall I paint my walls or add some more decor? There's a plain white space in the wall where I can paint and do artsy stuff. But I decided to do that when I'm in my 'inspired' mood where creativity flows and pops in my mind in an instant.

I looked out the window, sun's setting.
I suddenly hear knocks on my door and it opens. "Time for dinner Elouise." Dad says.

I nodded and replied "I'll be there in a sec."

"Don't make the food wait too long now." He joked and left.

I quickly changed into my sleeping clothes; pj's and a loose shirt, tied my hair into a messy bun. And went downstairs.

"So, what can you say about our new home?" Mom asked.

"It's nice, larger than our old one." Max said.

I sat down beside him. Said the prayer before meals, at naglagay na ng pagkain sa plato ko.

"What do you think Elouise?" I heard mom ask.

"Hm? Pardon?" I mumbled with food in my mouth. I wasn't really paying attention to what they were talking about. You see, I love food that much and when I endulge in it, I sometimes keep my focus in eating and ignore the surroundings.

"You weren't paying attention again? Seriously El, you should change that bad habit of yours." Dad firmly stated.

I sighed "Sorry okay. I'll try to pay attention more when I'm eating. It's not my fault mom's cooking is divine."

"Hindi na nag wowork yang lambing mo nak. I already know that." Mom said and half smiles. I shrug and continue eating.

"Ano na yung sabi mo kanina ma?" I asked her.

"Sabi ko, what do you think of this new town."

I took a sip of water, replied "I haven't really explored the whole town yet mom obviously. But I bet it's cool, the house is great though." and ate again.

"Good to know darling. Your dad and I put a lot of effort finding this house. It might cost a bit much but we've already took care of that. Staying a housewife gets quite boring."

I raised a brow "So, what do you mean?" I asked.

"Other than my promotion, your mom found a job here too. To help me pay the bills." Dad explained.

"Really? That's great mom!" Max responded happily.

"As what? Where?" I asked.

"Well, thanks to your dad's co-worker who owns a restaurant, I am now their sous chef."

"Woah. That's amazing mom."

She smiled "Oh, by the way your classes start next week. We'll be buying your school supplies tomorrow afternoon."

"At what school?" Max questioned.

"Westview University." Dad answered.

After dinner I checked the school online and found out that it was a huge school in this town. We also were required to wear uniforms (which mom already took care of). It's quite different from my old school, it was a small school without uniforms. And being a small school; we knew each and every student.

But my old school was strict with discipline, there were no bullies, we lived at peace. I hope Westview would also be the same.