One of a Kind// chris collins

Chapter One

T o n i - Chapter one

The sun was hiding behind the clouds as my mother walks in singing. I groan and roll onto my back, covering my face with my pillow. I feel my bed dip as her hand rests on mine that is holding the pillow down on my face.

"Come on Toni. We just finished unpacking yesterday and all you can do is sleep?" I nod but realize she couldnt see it with the pillow covering my face.

"Its Summer mother. Im supposed to be sleeping my day away and staying up all night." I mumble. I hear her chuckle and lift the pillow off of my face. "Can I please go back to sleep?" I see her shake her head making me frown.

"We have to go get some food for the house. We have nothing to eat and im pretty sure you're starving." I hear my tummy grumble and nod my head, watching her disappear into my closet.

"I can pick out my own clothes mom." But she doesnt care. She places my maroon sweater on my bed along with my white high waisted shorts and a pair of socks.

"Get ready and meet me down stairs in half an hour. Thats all im giving you before I drag you to the car by myself." I snort and stand up following her out of my room and to the bathroom down the hall, stopping in the door way.

"Like you could drag me down the stairs and to the car." She turns around and smirks at me, pacing a hand on her hip.

"No, ill just get your step dad to carry you out." My eyes widen at her threat. I close the door and lock it behind me. Undressing and turning the shower on, I get in and do the usual things.

When im done, I dry my hair and wrap a towel around my body, walking out of the bathroom and to my room. I get dressed and curl my hair, adding my black and white snapback along with makeup. Last but not least, my black and white vans.

"Are you done yet?" I open my door and walk out typing away on my phone. Im at the top of the stairs when my mom sees me and smiles. "You look beautiful Toni." I smile and look up a little.

"Thanks mom. Can we go now?" She nods her head and walks out of the house with me following behind. I plop myself into the passenger seat and turn the radio on.

"I hope you make friends this year that arent a bad influence like your old friends were." I chuckle and look at my mother who was starring out the front window.

"Its Canada mom. Im pretty sure I can make friends that dont do the things I used to do." I see her smile and I start humming to the song playing on the radio. "Well lets hope there isnt any bad ones." I glance at her and see my mom smiling.

"Of course you would pick the bad ones. My little rebel, just like your father." My smile turns into a frown at the thought of him. It just hurt to think about him. "Im sorry Toni." I shake my head and put on a smile.

"Its whatever. I just hope you can find a Wal-Mart here." She laughs and nods her head before turning into a parking lot. "Well I see you found one." We get out and walk into the store seeing that it was hardly packed.

"Okay, grab a cart and take this half of the list. I will take this half, text me when you're done with the list and I will find you." I grab the long list and nod my head before walking off into the market part of the store.

Walking through each isle grabbing what we needed and something for me. I grab dill pickle chips and ketchup chips, tossing them into the cart. I grab a 12-pack of cocacola vanilla and look over the list to see that I got everything, and some.

I text my mom were I am and stand by the cart, playing on my phone. When she finds me, we check out and shove everything in the car. On our drive back my mother looks at me and places her hand on my thigh.

"I hope you dont mind that our neighbors are coming over." I look up from my phone and groan.

"But we just moved in and shit. Cant they wait another day?" My mother gives me a stern look which makes me cross my arms and pout.

"They're coming over for dinner and I would like you on your best behavior." I nod my head and stare at my shoes which now have dirt on them from stepping in a puddle.

"How did you meet them anyways? I mean we havent even been here for 3 days yet and you already are inviting people over that we dont know that well." She nods her head and places both hands at the top of the wheel.

"I was outside this morning on a walk with your step dad and they were on the porch talking and we just kinda had a conversation and he invited them for dinner." Thats my step dad for you. Always making plans without asking. "They seem nice Toni. They have kids too, maybe one of them is your age."

"Fine. But im not happy about this." My mom pulls into the driveway and looks at me.

"I knew you wouldnt be happy. Thats why im cooking chicken wings tonight." I squeal and hug my mother, kissing her cheek. "Happy now?" I nod and get out of the car right when my step dad comes to help with groceries.

"Need any help?" My mother thanks him as I walk into the house and place the bags on the counter, my mom walking in along with my step dad who was laughing at something. "So Toni." I raise an eyebrow and lean against the counter.

"Yeah? You dont have to wait for a response all the time y'know." He nods and puts the milk in the fridge, along with orange juice.

"Okay then." He scratches his head and turns to face me. "I had the mover guys put up the trampoline." I drop the rest of the sacks onto the counter and run out of the kitchen to the back yard. I kick off my shoes and get on. 

I giggle as I jump on it, my hat almost falling off as I do a front flip, landing on my butt. I lay back and stare at the sky that was covered in white puffy clouds. Wind blowing around, making the trees sway. I had to admit, I really dont want to go back to California anytime soon.