It All Began When...

1. Redwoods

"People say that the bad memories cause the most pain. But actually it's the good ones that drive you insane..."
- Unknown
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They sat there confused.
I commenced with the story.
"It all began when... "
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June of 2016

I put the last of my boxes in my Aunt's car.

I didn't even want to look at the stupid rotting house before I left. I mean my stupid rotting house. Yup, I, a 14-year-old girl, owned a house. Cool, right?! Not. It was mine, well, to be fair when I turned 18 it was, but I didn't want it either way.

I was convinced it was cursed by my old crazy neighbor. She totally had it out for my family. I guess she got what she wanted. I was moving far from here. Hundreds of miles.

Washington, say goodbye to me,  Olivia Wren Woods.

I was moving to California, baby! Okay, I wasn't that excited to move. I was moving in with my Aunt Reagan, sister of my mother,  Megan. Oh! Did I mention that my parents were de-

"Redwoods -err- ", I turned to her with a pained expression, or at least I felt that way. "I mean, Olivia, are you ready? We have to get going soon!".

"Yup", I closed her trunk with an unintended strong amount of force.

I looked up at her embarrassed. "I-I'm sorry I didn't mean to-"

"Oh don't you worry darling! It's fine!" she tried saying as convincing as possible. You might be thinking, "What a nice merciful aunt", please,  she's only cutting me some slack afraid that I'm some sort of sheet of glass that will shatter any moment with a certain kind and amount of words or something like that.

She actually really loves her car, all her cars truthfully. I mean that's all she has really.

She's a 36-year-old woman with no romantic status or children. She's an independent successful business woman living alone in California with an amount of money that can possibly be used to support a family of 15. Yet, it's still just her. Or I guess the two of us now.

She got in her car right away afraid to say anything else wrong.

I went around to the passenger seat determined to not look at the stupid old house.

I got in and my Aunt Reagan says before we go, "Take a good look around Olivia. You won't be seeing this place for a long time". Great, I thought while still looking ahead not bothering to take even the slightest glance and waiting for her to start driving.

I felt the car begin to move out of its parking spot.

As much as I tried not to, I couldn't help but give that stupid old...grieving house a last stare as we drove away. I felt a tear slip and I saw the memories from that house slowly replay - from painting it, to the last happy day I had with my parents in there - then at the blink of an eye,  those memories were pushed to the back of my mind to worthlessness.

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After about 15 hours later, I had not cared to keep track anymore, we finally arrived to whatever they called this city. I was here, at a place so foreign and different to me than where I used to live.