Forever?

Moving Day.

"Vivianne, are you all packed?" Mom called softly to me through the doorway of my bedroom.

"Yes." I sighed as I closed my sketchbook.

We were moving away from our city, and were off to Pickering, Canada, which was an hour away from our old house. I sprang from my sheet-less bed and sauntered downstairs.

"Get in the car, honey. It's time to go." Dad murmured while standing in the kitchen doorway. I nodded solemnly.
I slowly walked around and breathed in the musty wood scent of our house- just to remember the scent of the house that I grew up in. I stepped outside and headed towards the car.

~~

"Welcome to our homely abode." Mom cheered, rolling down the car windows as we pulled up towards the driveway. I gradually opened my sleepy eyes. It was a large brick stoned house with an abundance of trees in the front yard and a fairly large backyard.

"Looks great." I said sarcastically.

"Cheer up, Viv! You're going to love it here in Pickering, Canada!" Dad told me.

"I guess." I replied doubtfully. We got out of the car and went up to the rustic door.

"Keys?" Mom asked Dad.

"Here you go, sweetie." Dad replied, handing her a set of keys. She quickly turned the keys in the wooden key latch, and the door swung open. I stepped in and absorbed the scene. There were high ceilings, a grand staircase, and large rooms.

"Go pick out your room." Dad whispered, pushing me towards the grand staircase.

"Ok!" I said cheerfully. I walked up the long
spindly staricase. I counted how many doors were present: five rooms in total. I went into the first room, and I knew instantly that this room would fit my needs perfectly. It had a window seat overlooking the woods, sloping ceilings, and hardwood floors. I plopped onto the springy mattress, and closed my drowsy eyes.

~

"Wake up." Mom yelled, shaking me awake. My eyes flew open. I looked around confused. "You fell asleep in your new room." Mom said, sensing my puzzlement.

"What?" I moaned.

"The neighbors have invited us over for a "get-to-know-each-other-dinner." Get up and put something nice on!" Mom urged me.

"Ok, but one small problem. All of my clothes are still packed away in the moving van.." I replied, springing up from the bed and rubbing my eyes. Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw four cardboard boxes which marked, "clothes."

"Nevermind, thanks."

"You need to be downstairs in fifteen minutes maximum." Mom hopped out of the room.

I rummaged for a skin-tight black shirt and gray leggings. I quickly got dressed, put some mascara and eyeliner on, grabbed my phone and jacket, and hobbled downstairs.

We walked to the white-bricked house across from us.

"Do they have any kids my age?" I asked.

"I'm not sure, hun." Mom murmured, knocking on the door. A friendly man with a gruff beard opened the door, and shook each of our hands firmly.

"My name is Manuel Mendes. It is a pleasure to meet you." He smiled, gesturing for us to walk inside.

"Shawn and Aaliyah, come meet the guests." He called, his firm voice echoing around the quaint household. A little girl with a giant pink bow in her hair flew downstairs.

"Hi. I'm Aaliyah!" She said bubbily.

"Eric, Kelly, let me show you around." Manuel smiled warmly. They trailed behind him.

"What's your name?" Aaliyah asked, shaking my shoulder.

"Vivianne. How old are you, anyways?"

"Nine years old. Come on, follow me upstairs." She led me up steep carpeted stairs.

"Shawn! Where are you?!" She called.

Suddenly a tall, masculine boy walked out. He smiled a straight-toothed smile.

"Hi, I'm Shawn." He breathed.

"Holy..." I gasped.

~
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