Brooklyn (A Paul Lahote Story)

Chapter Eight

As my left foot hits the dirt ground, I exhale, the sound of the breeze getting caught in the trees fills my ears, encouraging me to move faster.

I twist with the trail, dirt being kicked up from behind me as my ginger locks bounce in the pony tail, some sweat dripping down my forehead. I check my FitBit, looking at the time to see that I've already been gone for almost two hours. I think I can head home now. I think to myself as I start to follow the path back to the large house, the house I couldn't sleep in last night.

Have you ever had that problem where you're in a new place and can't seem to fall asleep? Well, that happened to me. I was twisting and turning all night, Skie sleeping on her bed next to mine, and my mind kept wandering off to thoughts that I've put on hold. Paige, the new house, why we moved, school, Becca and Drew, why we had those people help us, the pervert - all of those things just decided to dance through my mind, causing me to lose sleep.

So when 6 o'clock rolled around, I got out of bed, put on my blue workout leggings and matching sports bra, let Skie out to go to the bathroom before exploring the woods. At first, I was scared I was going to get lost but I found a small trail behind the house, perfect for me to run for the time I needed to.

I exit the woods, my Adidas sneakers crunching the dry leaves as I make my way to the back door of the house. The lights in the kitchen are on, signaling that my dad is up and at it.

I enter the house, checking my phone to see if I got any missed calls; none. I frown slightly, wishing that Becca would've tried to call me but I shrug it off, walking into the brightly lit kitchen with thousands of boxes still crowding the space.

"Morning.." I say, walking around my dad as he gathers his cup of coffee. I open the fridge, pulling out a water bottle before jumping on the counter, taking a swig of water.

"Morning princess. How's your finger?" He asks and I look at my bandaged fingertip, showing him before smiling.

"Almost like new!" I laugh, taking another sip of my water.

My dad chuckles, looking at me before taking a sip of the boiling hot coffee. "Good.. I'm gonna go and check my e-mail before unpacking the living room, wanna help?" He asks and I nod, hopping off the counter, placing my bottle on it before running towards the stairs.

"I'm gonna go shower real quick!" I shout, Skie following behind me.

Finally, just me and him.

~*~

"Oh my gosh! I remember that!" I laugh, grabbing the photo of when I was a little girl and had whipped cream all over me.

When it was my fifth birthday, my dad had the brilliant idea to spray whipped cream all over me instead of my ice cream sundae. My mom, being the angle she was, took loads of pictures and videotaped my dad chasing me around the house. That birthday was a day I will forever remember.

"Yeah, I remember you running around the apartment, screaming but you couldn't hold it because you were laughing so hard." My dad chuckles and I smile, grabbing the frame before placing it on the top of the fireplace.

"Forever a fantastic memory.." I whisper, standing back and crossing my arms. My dad wraps his arm over my shoulders, kissing the top of my head as we admire the many pictures: my mom, family photos, my mom and dad, my mom and me, pictures of just me.

Our little quiet, happy place is interrupted by a knock at the door. My dad moves, causing me to watch him leave the room before snapping out of it, gathering the many empty boxes and folding them up.

"Oh no, no, no... You can't do that!" I hear the fake voice that belongs to the bitch of a blonde; Paige Morgan.

"Do what?" My dad kindly asks and I roll my eyes, standing up and walking over to the pile of empty boxes, placing the folded ones next to them.

"If you're going to move on with me, you need to get rid of all of those pictures!" She exclaims and I snap my head in her direction, glaring at her.

"No, and we never will. Right dad?" I ask, looking at him. He smiles softly at me before nodding, shrugging at the blonde.

"Right. And that is something I can promise." He says, patting her on the back.

Way to go dad!

~*~

I sigh, falling backwards on my bed with my eyes closed, relieved that I finally unpacked my clothes. Only a few more things to unpack...

I hum softly, looking around the plain room as I begin to think about what I should paint it. Maybe a grey color with an accent wall of white and grey stripes...? I think quietly to myself, tilting my head.

Maybe I could paint it grey with a blood red color as the accent..? I squint my eyes, staring at the blank walls. What to do, what to do..

I sit up, hearing paws patter their way into my room and I smile, looking at the blue eyed husky before rubbing the top of her head.

"Hey girl!" I laugh, watching her long tail wag from side to side. "What color should I paint this room?" I ask her, causing her to tilt her head at the unknown words.

"Same.." I sigh, looking around the room.

"The dog should be outside at all time!" I hear Paige shout and I groan, falling back against my bed as I cover my eyes with my forearm.

When will she leave?!

"Skie is fine to wander around the house as she pleases! If you want to change that, you have to go and talk to Danielle about it." I hear my dad explain softly, causing me to roll my eyes.

She's amazing alright...

I hear footsteps make their way up the stairs, causing me to quickly get on my feet, closing and locking my door before turning off the lights. I signal to Skie to jump in bed and get comfy before taking off my leggings, climbing into bed myself.

Looks like we're turning in early tonight...

________________________________
A/N: Hey guys!

So, I know nothing really happened in this chapter...It's just a filler!!! There will be more action and what not in the next chapter, promise!

Anyways, please leave your thoughts down below and let me know what you think/hope is going to happen next and don't forget to vote! (If I get up to FIVE COMMENTS I'll update two more times this week!!)

Until next chapter,
C