Aythea

My New Home

 It's a bright morning in the small city of Prestin, Washington. It's the opposite of what I wish it was. Right now I'm supposed to be packing my things, but instead, I'm observing the surroundings outside my window. Sitting there, I notice the pale blue exterior of the homes going down the street and the cars parked there. Though I wasn't close with anyone who lived nearby, they were people I had grown up around, and some of the other kids I had gone to school with.

I then move my gaze further along, and I see the park across the street, where I've been going since I was able to walk. Me and my parents had spent countless hours there, and apparently I had taken my first steps on the grass of that exact park. Dad tells me stories of days at the park from when I was little as often as he can. I frown at the thought.

My attention is interrupted when I hear faint footsteps grow louder as they approach my room. I take one last glance outside, then climb off of my reading nook and walk over to the bag sitting on my bed, putting the last of my belongings inside, fiddling with one of the few stuffed animals I'm bringing along with me. I glanced at the pile of the ones I wasn't bringing with me sitting in a box next to the bed, shoulders dropping a little.

There's a knock, and the door opens. Mom walks into my room from the edge of my vision. She sighs, sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Hey sweetie, how's the packing going?" She asks, smiling at me.

Without looking up I reply, "Fine, I'm just getting the last few things packed up." I hesitate, then look up at her and ask, "Is this move really necessary?"

She looks at me apologetically and says, "Eidri, there's not really a preferable way around this that your dad and I are comfortable with. You're only fourteen, and on top of all the changes with work, you've been left on your own much more than we're comfortable with and want you to have a proper guardian around more than we can be."

I frowned but nodded in understanding. "I know. But it still sucks. As much as I love Aunt Aria and Uncle Jensen, I'd prefer to be around you and Dad."

"I know sweetie, I know. It's hard on Dad and me as well. But this is the best option we could come up with. Thank goodness your aunt and uncle are so open to this idea or I'm not sure what we'd do."

I shrugged, not having anything to say in response.

"Look on the bright side, you've always been so good at that. You'll get to see them more and you'll have even more areas to explore with them. Plus," she continued, "you'll have your little puppy plush with you." She grabbed my nose playfully, shaking it then putting her hand back in her lap.

I smiled sadly. "I guess you're right. I just hope the adjustment isn't bad."

"I hope so too, but I don't think it'll be much of an issue for Aria and Jensen. They're so excited to have you there and get to see you more. Plus they've been around since forever."

"I'm excited too, but I'm still trying to grasp the fact that I'm going to be living in Norcosta and not here anymore. It's still so weird." I left out the fact that I really wasn't confident about the situation.

"I'm sure it is. You know you're always able to call or email us if you need to." She pauses for a moment. "We do need to get going soon, it's a long drive. But remember this much, I do think you'll adjust quickly, you're a tough little girl." She stood up and kissed my forehead, pulling me into a tight hug.

I hugged her back just as tightly, then said, "Okay, I'm gonna take my last bag out to the truck." I swung the bag over my shoulder and headed downstairs, towards the front door.

As I started to step outside, Dad grabbed me in a bear hug, swinging me around, and in turn I squeal and laugh. "Hey! How's my little girl?" He set me down, then kissed my forehead and smiled.