A New Beginning

Chapter 3

Okay so first off I'd like to say some apologies for both of my books. I haven't been good with updating or writing. I'm terribly sorry for this. 8th grade is extremely tough right now, and it doesn't help that I took all advanced classes. I will try my best to write some chapters for this book maybe the Foreign Exchange Student. I'm not completely sure if I'll have time yet.

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I walked along with my mom and Katherine to our new house. It was only a short walk to the house, so it was silent with only our thoughts in our minds. Will and his family were walking in front of us, so I decided to walk a bit faster to walk beside him.

"Hi." My words were awkward, and foreign to me. Similar to my new life. Will cast me a sideways glance.

"It all feels so weird, ya know? I already know who I'm going to marry. What if we hate each other? What then?" Will's face contorted into a frown. My hand automatically slide onto his back, and rubbed up and down soothingly.

"I have no clue, Will. Whoever this governor is will get a piece of my mind for making our lives like this. It's beyond idiotic and-" My voice started to get higher with each word, and Will had to put his hand on my arm. I stopped. His hand was calming, something that was unusual to me.

"Calm down, Claire. It's okay. Everything will be alright." I just nodded my head at him. "I'm gonna go check out our new home, but if you need me just come get me. I'm here." He gave me a large hug, and walked away leaving me with my mother and Katherine.

"Let's go check out our new home, girls!" Mom tried to sound happy and cheerful, but it didn't work well. Tony was on all of our minds.

"Yay!" Katherine cheered and ran towards the doorway. She probably was the most unaffected by all the events that had happened. Mom and I followed her to the doorway, and I waited while Mom unlocked the door.

"Welcome to our new home girls!" My feet moved before my brain could catch up. The house was very modern. Once you walked through the door you were in the living room, and then from there the kitchen opens up which was pretty big. I walked through the kitchen and saw a dining room, and the master bedroom and bathroom. Finally I walked up three stairs that led to four doorways. The doorway on my left had my initial on it. I opened the door to find a huge bedroom with a window seat. It also had huge bookshelves filled with books, and a polaroid camera lay on my bed. The bed was simple, but elegant. The quilt on top was solid black while the sheets were damask. My dream room had been created so far. There were two smaller doors in my room. I looked in one to see an empty closet, frowning I looked in the next door to find a large bathroom.

"Mommy! Mommy! Look at my room!" I overheard Katherine exclaim. I smiled to myself, and looked out my window. Will walked down the street with his head bent down focusing on the gravel beneath him.

"Mom! I am gonna go outside for a bit!"

"Okay, sweetie. Be careful." She yelled back to me. I ran down the stairs taking two at a time. Once I reached the living room I noticed a figure was at the door. A knocking began, and I quickly opened the door. Chase and another man were at the door.

"Hello. Can I help you?" I asked. Over Chase's shoulder I saw Will walking. Will gave me a quick glance, and then started to stare at the ground again. I returned my attention to the two men in front of me.

"We've decided to place the partners together immediately. We need a larger population quickly." The man explained. Chase just stared at me.

"Okay? And that means?" I asked impatiently. I was ready to receive his point.

"This means that you will be required to move in with Mr. Waters by tonight. You have the afternoon to decorate your house, and spend with your family. Enjoy." The officer stated and walked off. It left Chase and I in an extremely awkward silence.

"Want to take a walk?" Chase asked and extended his arm for me to slip mine through. I did this without thinking. I needed to find what was wrong with Will, and spending time with Chase was not helping the situation.

"So, how long have you been here?" I wanted to get a good estimate of how much experience these people had.

"Around six months. My mother knew the governor here very well, so he took me in when things got tough. My mother died earlier this year from cancer." Chase led me to a house, and I followed. "This would be my house."

"Chase I am so sorry. I lost my dad recently this past year too. When the sickness broke out, we lost all touch. I miss him so much." Tears quickly came, and I brushed them away discretely not wanting him to see me cry. Chase gave me a small smile, but didn't ask questions.

"So we would share a bedroom, and bathroom..." I guess he saw my face, because his face went red and he fumbled his words. "..I mean you can always stay in the guest room until you're ready to stay with me." I chuckled at his embarrassment.

"Thank you." I was grateful. I decided to jinx my luck. "I really need to speak to my friend..do you mind?" Chase's face showed a hint of worry.

"Be careful when you are around him. The leaders do not enjoy citizens going against their rules. Oh, and be careful what you say. You never know who is listening." Chase warned and hugged me. "Be back here by 9. That's curfew for girls who are not with a chaperone." His eyes glint with humor. "Kidding, kidding. It's really everyone's curfew. I'll see you at 9."

"Bye Chase." I said to him and waved goodbye. Now I had to find Will. I scanned the streets, and thought a saw his back. Looking from side to side, I took off in a fast walk. The guy stopped, and I only saw the side of his face before his disappeared into a doorway. He looked familiar but I couldn't be sure. Suddenly I felt arms go around my waist, and a hand appeared to block my vision. Oh no.

"Guess who?" It was only Will. I sighed with relief.

"Is it Barney?"

"Very funny, smartass." Will used to have a phobia of Barney, and I am guessing he still did. I turned around in his arms, and Chase's words went through my head. Mentally, I shoved them to the back of my head, and looked up at Will. His smile might have reached his eyes, but his eyes told something different.

"What's wrong?" I asked curiously. Was he suspicious of the people here, too? He looked in my eyes, and looked away while scratching at his neck. His next sentence would be a lie.

"Oh ya know just nervous."

"Will-" I warned. "Care to tell the truth?" His grin turned into a frown, and he was vulnerable.

"It is my partner. Claire she is awful. You are supposed to be happy when you marry someone, not hate them." Will whined to me.

"Maybe you are overreacting? I mean you could end up-"

"Don't you dare say I could end up liking that. It is the governor's daughter, and she's a bitch." He yelled the last part loudly. I tried to cover his mouth, but it was too late. People started to pay us attention.

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