The Truth Hurts

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

- one month later -

Today was the day. The day that we were moving from Virginia to California.

Our neighbors and friends went by our house all morning saying good-bye. I would miss them but I needed freedom from this place. I had been stuck here all my life and it wasn't any fun. I'd done every single thing there was to do in Virginia. Moving to California was going to be a fresh new start for me and my family.

* * *

"Flight I-518 has now landed Sta. Barbara, California." The speaker overhead in the airplane announced.

We got our bags from the compartment above and waited patiently to get out of the airplane.

Once we were done with the baggage claiming area, we saw our Aunt Elena waiting by the exit.

"Oh my! You little kids have grown!" Aunt Elena told Danny and I, giving both us a peck on the cheek and a hug.

I gave her a smile and hugged her back.

Aunt Elena was driving us to our new house since we didn't have a car yet. While on the way there, my mom and Aunt Elena catched up on whatever they had to catch up on.

"You guys are gonna love California!" Aunt Elena gushed. "Sta. Barbara is amazing!"

A few minutes later, we arrived at a one-story house. It was plain and simple with a garage and a beautiful front yard. The house was just a few streets away from the beach.

"Here we are!" Aunt Elena cooed.

We all got out and took our luggage inside the house.

The house was like any other American home with a kitchen, a living room and a dining room. It also had a basement and had four rooms on the second floor. My room was medium-sized and I was excited to decorate it.

"Now, since school is still on going, you'll be toured at your new schools tomorrow, okay?" Mom informed Danny and I . I was a high school junior while Danny was in the third grade.

We nodded and then we all went our separate ways to unpack and get comfortable in our new home.

* * *

"This is the school's cafeteria." Mr. Lee, the principal of my new school, gestured to a double-door that had CAFETERIA labeled on it.

I nodded and he nodded. Then there was silence. Talk about awkward.

It was Thursday afternoon, classes were ongoing and I was being toured around my new school by the principal. How awesome.

We went through the whole building, showing me the library, the office, the classrooms, the gym and the football field.

Walking from area to area had exhausted me and by the time it was over, I was glad.

"If you have any other questions, you can ask me anytime." Mr. Lee said with a smile. He was of Chinese decent and was tall.

"Yes, sir." I gave him a small nod.

"See you on Monday!" He waved and went inside his office.

I walked back home feeling good and nervous at the same time.

Being the new kid was going to be hard. I didn't know what to expect. What if I didn't make any friends because people thought I was different? Man, I wish I was more friendly and less awkward.

Once I got home, there was nobody there. My mom and Danny were probably still at his school or something.

I went up to my room and checked myself in the mirror. My long brown hair was still in place. My green eyes looked tired. I looked white as a ghost, I needed to get a tan soon. I had the normal height of a girl but I had always wanted to grow taller and become a model. As if. That wasn't happening in a million years.

"We're home!" Danny yelled from downstairs and I trudged down the stairs to see them.

"I'm so excited to go to school!" He jumped up and down. The boy had to calm his nerves but I couldn't blame him, I was a bit excited too. Excited to start over in that matter.

Danny's green eyes were filled with joy and his brown hair was flopping up and down with his jumps.

"Calm down, little boy." I told him while I messed up his hair with my hand.

"Ugh!" He complained and swatted my hand off his hair. "You do not touch the hair."

"Aww, when did Danny boy suddenly care about his hair?" I asked him while I chuckled.

"Apparently, Danny met this girl today at school and he says that she's the most beautiful he's ever seen." Mom called from the kitchen. You could tell from her voice that she was smiling.

"Little Danny's got a crush?" I looked at him and he blushed. "Our baby's growing up!"

I tackled him to the ground and tickled him. He was laughing uncontrollably and was asking me to stop.

"Stop the chaos! It's time for dinner." Mom said.

"Danny and I both stood up and raced each other to the kitchen.

We were eating and telling each other about our day when mom decided to give a nice and short speech.

"Now I know it's hard to move and get used to things, but I hope you two have fun here." Mom said looking from me to Danny. "My decisions are always based on your happiness and what's good for you."

"Mom, don't need to get all serious on us!" I told her, joking around. "How about we just enjoy the meal for now?"

They both agreed and so we continued stuffing our faces with food.