The House

Sunny Palms

Ten hours had passed since we left. Two hours ago we stopped somewhere to rest then we got back on the road. I'm super excited about starting over, but what if my secret gets out? No, Aria don't think about the negative. Focus on the positive. I glance at the time. It's 1:47 in the morning. I yawn and try to get some sleep.

"WAKE UP WE'RE HERE!!," I hear my mom scream. I grumble some forbidden words and look at the time, 2:34. I look out of the window and all I see is fog. "Are you sure we're at the right place?," I ask. "Don't question me," she snaps. I sigh and get out of the car. I walk a few steps to where I can see and there it is --Our house. Our house is bricked with a big front yard. The house is gorgeous! I can't say so for the area but the rest of the houses are beautiful too. Maybe I can finally feel like myself again?

I get the bags from the trunk and head into the house where my mother was at. As soon as I step onto the front porch something felt off. It was like I stepped into another dimension. As I got to the front door I immediately felt cold. I shivered and walked in. The inside of the house was just as gorgeous as the outside! The walls were a light shade of gray, floors were a chestnut colored wood the kitchen was a light shade of yellow with black appliances. For the first time in months I sort of felt happy! "Nice to see you in a good mood," my mother said while walking in to hug me. I hugged her back. "The furniture won't be in until 5 this morning. Until then why don't we celebrate by beer?" The smirk I had on my face quickly feel when she said beer. I stopped my drinking after the incident happend. I mean I give in at times but I stopped. I left the room and headed upstairs. "How about wine?!," she called after me. I didn't answer her. "More for me," she shrugged.

As soon as I got up the stairs, it was like the atmosphere changed. It was colder up here than downstairs. I shivered and turned on the lights. Even with the lights on, the upstairs still seemed dim. Maybe the lighting needed to get fixed? I walk further down the hallway to find which room I want. I settled on a dark gray room and started imagining where I should position my furniture. I had a weird feeling that someone was watching me. I turn around and no one was there. I walk out of the room and down the stairs. Mother is sitting on the living room floor listening to music and getting drunk. I sigh. It couldn't of been her.

I went to get my suit case from the door. "Hey A-Aria. Wanna J-join," mother drunkenly asked. I roll my eyes and shook my head no. I get my suitcase and I practically run upstairs before she could say anything else.

I go into my room, close the door behind me and sit on the floor. I get out my journal and start to write. 30 minutes later I check the time--3:45 A.M. A few minutes later I hear the door creak open. "Mama" I thought, "Why would she be trying to play a prank on me at a time like this?" "Because she's drunk," I said aloud while rolling my eyes. I walk to the door to tell her not to scare me like that. I open the door and no ones there! My heart started to race. I ran downstairs to see what mama was doing. She's still sitting on the floor drinking. "H-Hey Sw-Sweetie! W-Wanna-," I cut mother off before she finished her sentence. I sighed and gave in. "Yes mom I do want to join you," I said while grabbing one beer. After what I just encountered I need a drink. She beamed at me and we started talking.

It is now 5:09 and we were awoken to a sound of a doorbell. "UGHHH!! GET THE DOOR!," mother grumbled. Well considering that she had 5 beers, she's going to have a hangover. I look over to where I was laying down at. One bottle of beer. I think I did good. Usually I would drink close to 4. I get up to get the door. It's the movers with our furniture. I help them bring boxes in while mama sits against the wall holding her head. An hour later we were done unloading. I thanked them and they left. I take my boxes up to my room. I hear footsteps behind me. I turned and looked back. Nothing. I pick up my speed and hurry to my room. I close the door behind me and tried to calm myself down. I grabbed my journal and started to write to get my mind off of things. Once I calmed myself down I heard the door creak open again. This time I think a saw a dark shadow figure! THAT'S IT! I think I need to leave for a little bit! I raced out of my room and took my jacket since it was raining out. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest! "Aria? Where are you going," mother called after me. "OUT," I yelled back.