The Compatible

Chapter One.

[ Chapter One ]

"I can't hold these suitcases anymore." I groan in exhaustion, setting down the stressful weight from my arms. I was never very strong, especially in my arms. 

"Alright, we can stop here then." Mom sighs, setting her suitcases down as well. One of the nice men who offered to help us with the rest of our luggage stopped the luggage cart beside us. "Gracias." Mom smiled, handing him a five dollar tip. He grinned back and thanked her. As he disappeared back into the automatic doors of the airport, I looked out to the beautiful view. Florida was definitely something I was going to get used to.

It was much warmer and sunnier than Minnesota, no doubt. The sky was clear blue with no clouds to threaten the weather. I was happy about moving here- starting a new life, once again. Leaving Minnesota didn't bother me at all, it was just pure cold temperature. I was born in Florida and then my mom, dad and I moved to Wisconsin when I was only two, but  when my parents split, my mother and I moved to Minnesota when I was thirteen. Now, her and I are back where it all started... and I really think I am going to like it here.

"There's Stan!" Mom exclaims, pointing to my Uncle who I spotted immediately. 

His hand held two small boxes wrapped in wrapping paper while he approached us, obviously some gifts. "Hey!" He gave my mom a hug first as I waited for my turn. When it was, he picked me up and spun me around making me laugh as he put me down. "What's up, kiddo?!" He would call me that ever since I was little. "These are for you two, open it in the truck." He handed each of us the gift with our name on it.

"Thanks, Uncle Stan- you really didn't have to."

"Really Stan, we're the ones that you're sharing your condo with. It should be the other way around." Mom added sincerely.

"Ah, shut up. It's just a little welcome gift. We should get going, its pretty damn packed today." He advised, sparing no time to grab our luggage off the floor and leaving us with the cart. He was pretty muscular, which didn't surprise me by how much weight he was carrying. If it was me, my arms would of fallen off. We packed all the luggage in his truck before getting in and driving off on the road.

My mom and I both decided to open our gifts on queue as soon as we got in the truck. After removing the top, I saw that it was a necklace. It had my birthstone on it- a Tanzanite for December. I honestly thought it was beautiful and very thoughtful. I looked over to my left to see that my mother got a pearl necklace, which I'm sure she was happy about. She has been wanting one for a while.

"Wow, Stan. Esto esta bello." Mom grinned. Sometimes her Spanish side comes out. Uncle Stan has always wanted to learn so I'm sure he doesn't mind.

"De nada." He smiled confidently. I giggled. Even I, who didn't even talk Spanish very good, knew he was a bit too early.

"I love mine, too. I really wish I brought you something as thoughtful as this." I pouted. " But maybe this will help," I dug through my bag searchingly for the leftover Hershey bar I had on the plane. "Here, it might not be very expensive but trust me when I say this, it really makes you a very special person to me if I'm giving you some chocolate that I was really looking forward to." I spoke the truth, chocolate is my primary necessity... I don't often share.

"Thank you, I will guard this with my life... in my stomach." He devoured it within seconds before looking back to the road.

Mom and him began to talk as I zoomed out and just paid attention to the view we were passing by. In all ways, it was the opposite from Minnesota, just pure Floridian scenery and I was definitely loving it. The people were all outside enjoying the sun and water, as well as the sports that I'd imagine Floridians play all the time- even in Winter.

I really wish I had grown up around here, but too bad we just had to move. It's not like it was for any good reason either. I could have grown up around at least a family member, Uncle Stan. In Wisconsin and Minnesota, I have no family members. Uncle Stan is pretty cool, he gets along with my mom way more than my dad- yet, they're brothers. But I wouldn't blame him, everyone is kind of fed up with my father's drinking problem. It almost seems like being clean will never be an option for him and I just cannot deal with it. Every time he calls, he's never sober. I can't remember the last time I've heard or seen him sober.

That was the problem at first with our dysfunctional family, and ever since mom and dad split, his problem seemed to have escalated quickly.

"Tori," Uncle Stan's voice caught me off guard.

"Hm?"

"Did you hear what I asked?"

I guess I wasn't completely on planet Earth. "No...? I'm sorry, what did you ask me?"

"I was telling Ana-maria about how I could consider you helping out around my gym. Even though you're only seventeen I can get you to work for a little bit of money by cleaning the pool and stuff so you guys can slowly get on your own feet." He looked at me through his rear-view mirror, expecting for some kind of response. He owned a gym, LA fitness.

I knew I couldn't decline the offer. No matter how silly and immature I remember him to be most of the times, right now he was speaking to me as an adult and I knew saying no wasn't an option. Every kid feels that way towards the adults. Sure they give you two options, but they secretly only allow you to pick the one that benefits them because otherwise it is disrespectful.

"Sure." I didn't have much of a problem with it anyways. I'll be making some cash.

"Perfect. We're here!" 

I looked out of my window to see a bunch of, what I'd say looked like luxury condos to my eyes. They were painted beige and they all looked pretty big. I just really hoped that his wasn't on any other level except for the first floor since I am awfully afraid of heights. I saw how there was more than ten floors, creating a giant terrifying looking building.

Right cross from the condo complex was a fascinating view of the beach. Sure I'd never step foot in the water, but I sure as hell wouldn't mind the perfect view every morning.

Uncle Stan guided us into his condo before moving any of our luggage. I was happy to find out that we were on the second floor, which wasn't too high. As soon as his keys stopped jingling, his door was unlocked and he opened it, letting my mom and I in first.

"Ladies, mi casa es su casa."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N:

HIII *FIRST* STORY SO THANKS FOR READING BEAUTIFULS! If you liked it so far, vote and comment. If you don't, vote anyway ;* It'll mean a lot xx

[Esto esta bello- This is beautiful]

[De nada- You're welcome]

[Mi casa es su casa- My house is your house]