Chasing Her

Chapter 2: New Life

Taylor's POV

The ride to my aunt's and uncle's house was a long one, to say the least. Not because of the time or distance but because the only thing I could think about on the way there was that it was actually happening. This wasn't all just a bad dream, this was real, and it's my life now. Max, Haley, Kylie, my mom, I won't see them at all, or at least not as much as I used to. I'm gonna miss them but I have to steel myself for what I'm gonna have to go through until my dad lets me come home if he ever does. 

We finally arrive at the house and it is not small I can tell you that much. I have only been here a few times before only because it's so far away. It's three stories including the basement that they converting into a mega game room. With five kids I'm sure it can't be easy but my aunt and uncle make it work. They even have a few dogs that the kids primarily take care of. 

You must be wondering, how in the world do they afford to keep all those kids taken care of, along with the dogs, and pay the bills at the end of the month? It's fairly simple actually, my aunt is an orthodontist while my uncle is enlisted with the Marine Corps, he has been for the past eight years. My uncle has always been a role model for me and helped inspire my career choice. Once I graduate high school I'm going to college to get my criminal justice degree to become a  K-9 Officer. I've already been applying for cadet programs by home which I can kiss goodbye thanks to my dad. 

Anyway, we finally get my stuff inside where I'm greeted by the kids, who some feel the need to jump on me and knock me down. Let me introduce you to all five of them, the oldest is 15, then 13, then 10, then 7, then 4, I'll start with the youngest, Damian. He is always full of energy and can run laps around literally anyone. I swear there isn't an off switch on him, which explains why he was the first to scream and jump on me when I walked in the door. 

Next up we have Stephanie, we just call her Steph, she's also energetic but only after she gets food, how she isn't 200 pounds yet amazes me. Every time I see her she has a snack or is eating something, whether it's a cookie or dirt, all she does is eat. 

Next is Grayson, the video gamer and techie of the kids. He always has a headset on or a gaming console in his hand. TV not working? Get Grayson. WiFi going in and out? Get Grayson. He's the quieter of the kids as well, not many friends, he prefers to work alone. Once Grayson gets a job that's all he works on until it's done. 

Finally to the teenagers. First, we have Tim, who's 13. He is the classic bookworm nerd type you see in any movie or tv show. He is one of the smartest kids you will ever meet. His guilty pleasure that not a lot of people know about is his love for superheroes. He knows anything and everything about any superhero. Although he is a bit dorky he does have great ambition and we all know he's gonna do great things one day. 

And last but not least, Jason. He is the oldest of the bunch and the most athletic. Always doing a sport or two. His grades aren't the prettiest but he makes it work. He lives, breathes, and eats sports. Jason would do anything to keep doing what he is doing, whether in the gym, field or track, that is when he is in his happy place. He even managed to convince his parents to make his bedroom a weight room.  I will not be surprised if he makes it to the pro leagues. 

After I manage to get up with the help of Jason and Tim, my aunt and uncle show me to my new room until further notice. They call it a guest room but to me, it's like a master bedroom. It has its own bathroom and a TV with a queen-size bed. They leave me be to get unpacked and to make myself at home, after all, I have school the next morning which I am not ready for at all. 

The first person that decides to visit me while unpacking was Steph. 

"So what did you do to get kicked out? Drink alcohol? Sneak out and get caught? Get arrested?" 

I laugh and shake my head at her. "No, no I didn't do any of that actually."

"Then what did you do?" I look at Steph and all I see is confusion and innocence. I feel terrible and I'm not sure what to tell her. 

"I uh, made my dad angry with some choices that he disagreed with."

"Like what?" I just laugh and shake my head at her.

"Why don't you ask your parents?" Her eyes light up and she dashes out of the room. I can already tell that these kids are gonna drive me crazy. I finish unpacking after having similar conversations with Damien and Grayson. The older two couldn't care less as to why I'm here. I think they are just happy that they finally get to see me for more than a day at a time. 

After dinner, I get myself ready for bed and for school the next morning.  I make sure that I have my school stuff ready and my confidence. Back at my other school, my ego was huge and I have Kyle to thank for that. Being at a new school without the reputation is going to be a humbling experience and honestly, I don't think I'm ready for that.  I have a game plan for this move just like how I always have a game plan for the next game or Haley's next big idea. I decided that I'm going to go into this almost cocky, like everyone already likes me but they don't even know me. I won't let comments get to me and I'll do what makes me happy. And the most important part of it all, they'll know me for who I truly am, the person that my dad rejected, and the person that I am so proud of. 

Tomorrow is going to be a rollercoaster and an experience, to say the least, but not for me, for everyone else, because Taylor Nash has arrived and she's ready to show everyone who she is, whether they like it or not.