The House Next Door

Chapter 1

I stared at an empty suitcase laying on the floor of my bedroom that I was soon leaving. I couldn't bring myself to move, but in my heart I knew I had to. My name was Haley Smith, and I was leaving my hometown of Columbia, forever. I was moving to Lexington, which meant different schools, and friends. We were relocating because of a job offer my dad had gotten a month ago, and he decided that he wanted to think about it with the family. Sadly, that did not include me, so I didn't have a say on how I wanted to live. I'm seventeen, for goodness sakes! I should have a say, but my parents are the strictest people I know, so that wouldn't be happening in the immediate future.

I glanced over to my drawer and decided to take the clothes out and put them in the suitcase. I quickly shoved the clothes into the suitcase and zipped it shut hastily. This move was going to be the end of me, I thought. I didn't have a high tolerance of pain, so anything changing would be hard for me. I threw the suitcase on my bed and grabbed another.

Fifteen minutes later I had finished packing my clothes. The next thing on my list was packing up my bookshelf. I had to go downstairs and grab the box where some of my stuff was supposed to go. I glanced at each book with care because books were the one of the most important things to me. All the books on my shelf were already read. That didn't ever stop me, though. I got tempted every second to pick a book up and read over and over again. Anything but this would suit me. I got nostalgic easily, so every time I would look at a book, it would make me want to cry.

My knickknacks and such were the things I saved for last. Other than books, they were my favorite thing to collect and savor. They frame who you are, so why shouldn't you love them? I had special bags for them. They had padding inside so they wouldn't break. The one thing I hate most is when one of the spines to my book breaks or when one of my knickknacks break. I packed them in carefully, thinking back about each memory they would hold.

When I finished, I checked my phone to see what time it was. I had already packed up my clock, so I didn't know what time it was. Not knowing what time it is kills me, because I hate being late. 

I texted Chloe: "Hey, I'm all packed up. So not ready to leave! Be here at 9:30 tomorrow because that is the time I am leaving. Lots of love! ~Haley" I hesitated to press the send button for a second. I didn't even know why, but a voice in my head told me: "She's going to be mad at you."

Chloe is my best friend. She and I have been best friends since second grade, and that's the longest I've been friends with someone. She has been there for me multiple times, especially when I've needed it. She's showed me support through many decisions, and that was going to be hard to leave.

Hey guys! I hope you have enjoyed the first chapter of The House Next Door. It was fun writing this first chapter! I would like to give a shout out to megan_gymnasts. Her new story is called The Lighthouse and it's really good! She's a very talented writer so you should check her out! Happy reading loves!