Feels Like Home

Chapter 1

"This is fucking bullshit, Dad," I muttered as he pulled the car out of the driveway. I couldn't help myself; I turned around to watch my home disappear before my eyes as we made our way down the road. Just like one of those stupid teenage drama movies.

"You know I won't tolerate that kind of language, Harper." I turned back around, in time to see him grab Stephanie's hand, bringing her knuckles to his lips as she smiled sweetly up at him.

I made gagging noises, though the thought of actual physical affection between my dad and his girlfriend really did disgust me. To my surprise, Stephanie laughed. Probably just trying to get on my good side. "I don't get it," I continued to protest, though I knew it was pointless. I was already in the car with them, on our way to our new 'home'. "Why can't I just finish out my senior year here? Mom is here, Blake is here, all of my friends are here..." I trailed off. I knew if I thought about it too long I would start crying again.

"We've talked about this," he said, looking at me through the rearview mirror. "Your mom doesn't have full custody of you. Until you turn 18 and are legally your own person...you have to stay with me. I'm sorry," he said softly.

I didn't respond. It took me by surprise that he was actually apologizing for uprooting me, and royally fucking up my life. I wasn't sure how long we rode without speaking, the only thing keeping this car ride from being completely awkward was the radio playing in the background.

I felt my phone buzz in my lap.

Blake <3: i miss you babe

I rolled my eyes at the text. Fucking asshole. I quickly typed out a response.

Me: you could've come to say bye to me

I waited a few minutes before getting a response. Blake <3: i wasn't getting up that early lol

Reading the words on the screen only made me fume. I let my phone drop to the floor, trying hard to fight the tears back. I was moving several hours away, and my own boyfriend didn't even care enough to see me off.

It didn't take long for my beautiful home of Atlanta to slowly dissipate before me. Eventually, after however many hours of driving, all that I could see was fields and trees for miles. People actually lived like this?

Just as I was starting to get restless, the car turned down a long gravel driveway. After a few moments, we pulled up to a large house. Yes, it was gorgeous, absolutely. Something you would see on HGTV. But it wasn't mine. I didn't want it. I prefered our little city studio apartment over this big ass house any day.

I gathered my belongings out of the backseat (well...as much of my belongings that would fit in the car) and followed my dad and Steph up the front porch steps. "Alright, hun," Stephanie said as she wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Go pick out a bedroom, alright? I think you'll like the one on the main floor," she said suggestively. When I looked up at her, she gave me a wink.

I sighed. I had no idea what the fuck she was getting at, but I didn't argue. I dropped my bags as we entered the front door, and began my exploration.

"Babe," I heard my dad whisper to her. "isn't the master bedroom on the main floor?"

I heard her quickly shush him and swat his arm. I snickered quietly to myself, quickening my pace through the empty living room. Maybe Stephanie wasn't so bad.

It didn't take me long to find the master suite. I made my way through the oversized living room, and down a tiny hallway. At the end of the hallway was a single door, which led to my bedroom. I pushed the door open, and nearly had to pick up my jaw from the floor. The room was huge, with large windows through which I could see a large, beautifully green backyard. There was a set of French doors, which opened up to a small porch, with stairs that led to the yard. "Holy shit," I whispered to myself. The walk in closet was amazing, something I had always dreamed of. It was the size of my bedroom back home. I also had an en suite bathroom with beautiful stone floors, a large tub and a glass shower. Somewhere in the back of my mind I could only imagine how much this house must have cost my dad.