Moving Forward

Two- Getting settled

When I got back from my jog, I rushed inside and put my iPod back in my purse. Then I came out of my room and headed out side to help dad unload the truck. But he stopped me in the kitchen.

"You should eat first." He said. He forgot again.

"Dad, how many times do I have to remind you? I don't eat breakfast. I can't eat this early in the morning or my stomach won't sit right with me the rest of the day." I sighed.

"Oh, right. Okay, well then. What are we waiting for? Let's get this stupid thing unloaded."

The next hour was dedicated to just getting everything out of the truck and on to the lawn. Then my dad would have one of his agents bring it back, or whatever. The best part is we don't have to pay for the mileage or the truck rental. It was all covered by the government. But that meant we had to do all the work ourselves. Not that I mind. I like work. It keeps my brain busy. I don't like to be left with my thoughts very often. Mainly cause I miss my old friends from before we started moving. And my mother. And a bunch of other sad memories are locked up inside, and I don't want them taking over. So I like to keep my brain busy. One of the many reasons I keep such good grades and I'm in plenty of advanced classes. I even studied over the summer. I guess you could call me the average nerd, but I'm also the loner. Sort of like the out casts, except I don't get a group. It's just me.

But this year I was going to try and not worry about who was ignoring me or being the new kid. I was just going to blend in. Slip past all crowds. Do my work and get out. That was my game plan.

Once we finished getting it all out my dad made a phone call and we took a break. It was almost 10:00. I decided to have an early lunch. I made myself a sandwich of the left over stuff in our cooler. Then I got out a yogurt cup and some granola. When I was finished I asked my dad if my enrollment into my new high school was official.

"Yeah, you are. The first day is Monday of next week. You have four days to relax before summer vacation is over pop tart. I have some important stuff to take care of, and a few phone calls I need to make. I'll be in my office if you need me. Tomorrow we are having a landline put in." He said, distractedly. I nodded in acknowledgement.

"OK dad. Talk to you later. I'll be in my room on my laptop." I sighed knowing that once again he was returning to being a business man. I wish he could at least be a dad half the time. But in stead he's 10% dad, 90% business. And 100% busy. I will just have to make myself at home. I found my way to my room for like the fifth time and plugged in my cord for my laptop, thankful that dad pre-ordered wifi for our side of the complex. We lived in 179 B on 94th and ... well, you can't expect me to remember it all. I just got this address. Anyways I logged on to my email and checked to see if I had any mail.

Nope. None, as always. I logged on to the school web site to check it out. It seemed alright. Just your average everyday high school. Not perfect but better than I was expecting. I checked my schedule page but nothing was posted yet. I guess I won't know until the first day of school. The drill is always the same. I have to visit the admissions office and make sure everything was in order and get my schedule and books. Oh and a locker. I eventually moved on and just started to play games.

A while later my phone dinged, telling me I had a text.

Come here, we need to talk - Dad

Yes sir, be there in a sec - Me

No NOW - Dad

I hopped out of bed and rushed down the hall, to dad's office. Something must be very wrong, he never types in all caps.

"Hey dad, what's up?" I asked, stepping into his office.

"It turns out that I need to work late but I wanted to take you somewhere before I head in. It's a surprise! But we have to hurry I only have an hour before I have to go in." He was acting weird.