The New Kid

Chapter 1

Justin's POV

It's been 2 weeks since my mother died in a fatal car crash. I still can't get over her being gone. The woman who had raised me ever since I was born till I was 17 years old... It's going to be hard to get over this. I try not to cry, because crying isn't going to do anything to help me. Sure, it releases stress and all my anger for her leaving me behind like that but what else can I do other than move on.

Move on: a phrase easy to say, but now that I think of it, I am for sure not going to be able to get over my mother's passing. I had made up my mind that I was going to move to California once and for all with the money I had saved up from working at several part-time jobs. I have always wanted to be a singer even though I am probably one of the shyest and uptight people you can ever meet. My mother had always encouraged me to keep going until I achieved my dream. Oh, how I wish she could have seen me achieve my dreams...

I better get some sleep because I am leaving tomorrow on the first flight to California.

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I woke up and got ready. My bags were packed from the previous day. I still had doubts of doing this because I was going to be living on my own once I got to California. You might be thinking how can a 17 year old guy get a place to stay at in California- well let me just tell you, I am very lucky to have my elder cousin, Michael, also at California. Of course, I am not going to be living with him. He owns a motel which I am going to be staying at for free until I get a job and get myself settled. It will take a few weeks I guess, make it a few months actually.

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As I got on the airplane to California, I thought about all the memories I had with my mother and father. My father had left us after my 8th birthday. He and his young girlfriend got into some trouble over here in Stratford for using illegal drugs so they just left town and we never heard of them since. It hurt my mother a lot, but I did not really feel anything because I had only known him for 8 years and he didn't even live with us. He just stopped by sometimes to hang out with me. Whatever.

The airplane made its way and we were in the air. I have to admit that I am terrified of airplanes. Just the thought of being in mid-air is really frightening. So I decided on sleeping to pass time.

After some time, I felt somebody tap my shoulder. I looked up to see one of the air hostesses telling me the airplane had landed. I got up and got my bags and got out of the plane. I went into the airport and grabbed a slice of pizza. I didn't eat anything since before I got on the flight. I hate airplane food.

I was walking around when I heard someone yell my name.

"Justin!"

I turned around to see my cousin Michael standing behind me, smiling. I walked towards him and rejected his hug, letting him know I wasn't the "hug" person. He just smiled.

"How was your flight?" he asked.

"Fine."

He walked me to his van and I put my bags into the backseat. I sat in the front beside him.

"Justin, look I know we hadn't ever talked much but I want you to know that I will always be here for you." He said. I just nodded. "Especially after what happened to Pattie, I hope you know that-

"No, not especially after what happened to my mom. I don't need your special attention. I can take care of myself! I just need you to lend me a room for a few months and I'll be out before you know it!" I spat.

Michael just stared at me for a few seconds and nodded. I know that I was being rude but I can't take another thought of my mother. Each time I think about her, I feel depressed and blame myself for not being by her side when she died. I came here to forget about her death and focus on my future. That's what she would have wanted too...

We got to Michael's motel, and I have to admit, it wasn't like those old ugly motels you see in the movies. It was rather nice, rather fancy. There were more than 30 rooms and there were a lot of people staying in by the looks of it. Michael walked me upstairs to the second floor where my room was. I was expecting him to give me the cheapest room in the motel but he did the exact opposite. He gave me one of the best motel rooms I had ever seen. There was a huge, cushiony bed with white pillows and blankets. The washroom was huge. The room itself was huge. There was a 50" inch plasma television in front of the bed. My mouth was open and that's when I realized Michael staring at me.

"Uh-Uhm, thanks man." Was all I could blurt out.

"Hey, no problem kiddo. Just promise me no trouble over here, alright? Lots of people come in to stay here so I don't want them complaining, ok?". I smiled and nodded.

He left the room and when I was about to slump down on the bed I noticed some papers laying on the desk. I took them and realized they were my new schools sheets and schedule. Michael must've dropped them off over here without me noticing. I have to admit that Michael seems like a pretty good guy.