That boy next door

chapter one: Moving

" I'll miss you Ari,"my best friend Layla smiled warily as the tears ran uncontrollably down her face.

"I'll miss you too,I already do," I said hugging her tighter.

"C'mon girls you'll be just fine,so please hurry we have to go," my mother's voice rang loudly in the air ruining our little moment.

" I love you," I whispered kissing Layla on the cheek before running over to the car where mom was waiting impatiently.

I waved Layla one last time before getting into the car and closing the door behind me. I didn't even wait for her to wave back at me because if I did I'd probably jump right out the car to meet her and change my mind which I just couldn't do.

"Seat belt please young lady,"my mom said tucking the loose strand of hair on my face behind my ears. I did as she said giving her a small smile.''Look Ari,I know this might be had but you..._ "

"Mom please,not now okay I'm really not in the mood to talk about this,"I shook my head cutting her off harshly.

I didn't mean to be rude but right now was not the time for these stupid long talks and lectures. The past few months of my life had been so hectic that I didn't even know what to think anymore.

Mom started the car,not saying not another word. I guess I was a bit too harsh because she was extra silent for the for the longest while ever and now I was beginning to feel really guilty.Maybe I should apologize.

"Mom," I sighed turning my head to watch her.

"Yes honey,you're okay ?"mom replied giving me a warm smile before putting her focus back on the road.

"Yeah I'm fine , I just wanted to apologize for being a bit rude earlier,"l said leaning towards her to give her a quick kiss on the chick.A sweet little kiss here and there always does the trick.

"It's okay honey,I know that this is very had for you and you are trying your best to cope with the situation ," mom said giving my hand a comforting squeeze.

''M-mom h-e's gone and he's never coming back...,h-he's never coming back mom ,god I miss him so much,"I stammered the tears ran down my face wildly soaking my shirt.

" Ari,look at me baby,"mom stopped the car and palmed my cheek turning my face towards her.

" It's okay to hurt ,it's okay to cry and talk about it .Honey its okay to let it all out because keeping it all bottled up inside .....,honey it's going to eat you alive. Letting the pain and the hurt out doesn't make you weak and I know you hate the fact that you seem weak ,but honey you're not,you,re strong."

"You're the strongest person I've ever known and I love you for that. If I didn't have you right now I'd probably be going crazy. But that's not the case here ,we have each other and we can get through this,together."

"When life hits you down ,you have to get back up .It won't be easy honey but we got this. I use to think that if your dad died then I would never be happy again but now that his gone I look at you and I see joy and peace. You're my happiness, my life and my light and once I have you I know no matter what it'll all be okay,I promise."

Mom stared at me expectantly but I was speechless, to in awe to mutter a word. When she realized my silence she continued.

" I know that you are mad at me because we're moving but Ari I'm doing this for us. We need a fresh start and it would be in our best interest that I take this job offer,don't you think."when I still didn't answer mom gave my hand a gentle squeeze."Say some.....-"

"Mom thank you, I'm not really mad I'll get over it.It's just th-a-t this is s-so hard," I begun stammering as the tears started to blur my vision once again.