The next morning, I awoke at eleven. Huh. I usually woke up at ten. Oh well.
I got up and stretched. After I heard a few pops, I grabbed some clothes from my bag. I went in search of the bathroom. I soon gave up and knocked on Jeremy’s door.
“Jerry? I can’t find the bathroom.”
His door cracked open a bit. Jeremy’s hair was pointing in all directions, his tired eyes almost glaring. “There’s one downstairs, by Dad’s room.”
“Anywhere else?” I whined.
He shrugged and shut the door again. I groaned and turned around.
“Oh!” I grinned and opened the door before me. Yes! We didn’t have to share a bathroom with Dad.
I locked the door and started my shower. I took some time today, but not too much. I got out and dried off before taking a look at what clothes I grabbed. It was my teal skinny jeans and black t-shirt Jeremy got me for my birthday.
I was grinning as I pulled them on. I dried my hair with my towel and walked out of the bathroom, tossing my clothes in the hamper. I knocked on Jeremy’s door.
“Jeremy! Get up! We have to finish unpacking today!” I jogged downstairs. Dad sat in the kitchen. “Good morning, Father.” I bowed only slightly.
This was protocol for mornings. I would wake up. I’d wake up Jeremy and shower. Then, I would make Dad breakfast.
I immediately went to the fridge. I heard Dad mention toast. I shut the fridge and grabbed two slices of bread, popping them in the toaster. I waited.
After a moment, Jeremy came downstairs, dressed in his old blue jeans and the Beatles shirt I got him last month. He bowed to my father and proceeded to pour my father his drink. I buttered the warmed toast and gave it to my dad. At the same time, Jeremy handed him his coffee.
“Anastasia, make you brother breakfast.” He sipped his coffee.
I nodded. “Yes, Father.”
This was a normal morning for my family. I would make dad breakfast. I would make Jeremy breakfast. Rarely would I have time to eat.
I grabbed some more bread for Jeremy. When it popped up, I spattered some peanut butter on it, put the toast on a plate and handed the plate to Jeremy. He smiled softly and he ate. I stood behind Jeremy, hands clasped behind my back.
“Good, Anastasia. Go outside and finish unpacking. Jeremy will join you in a moment.” Dad spoke, softly gnawing on the crust of one slice of toast.
“Yes, Father.” I ran outside, straight to the back of the car.
I noticed more people were outside today. Madelyn was outside, along with a boy and three other girls. To the left of the house, the boys that were out last night were there. To the right, was a pair of children with their parents. I ducked my head down and opened up the trunk. There were only about two boxes left. One box was my notebooks and the other was Jeremy’s novels.
In my peripherals, I saw one of the boys next door running towards me. I turned. He was a little pudgy, but his straight, dark hair made him look nice. His bright green eyes were a just a little nervous. The boy wore a baggy, dark grey t-shirt and jeans.
When he didn’t speak, I did. “Hi…”
“Hey. I noticed you just moved in. I also see you met Maddy. I’m Grey.” He grinned, showing perfect teeth.
“Huh? Oh, yeah. If you’ll excuse me, I have to finish up.” I plastered a smile on my face.
“Oh, right! I’ll see you around, new girl!” He laughed as he went back to his buddies.
“Making friends…?”
I whipped around to see Jeremy. I let out a relieved sigh. “I thought you were Father for half a second.”
He frowned. “Come on, we should hurry. Dad said as soon as we finish, we have a free day. School starts tomorrow.”
I groaned. “We have to go..? I thought that since we moved here, we wouldn’t have to.”
He ruffled my hair. “Just hurry up.” Jeremy grabbed his box and went inside. I soon followed suit.
After we finished unpacking, Dad said we were allowed to go outside and explore a little. At this, Jeremy made a face and went to his room. I headed straight for the door.
“Anastasia, make sure to be back by midnight.” Dad called.
“Yes, Father.” I hurried outside.
I put on my tennis shoes and jogged around, behind the house. I grinned.
Just what I thought.
Miles of woods were stretched out behind the houses. The trees were tall and slim. Most of them were, at least. I heard a long, low howl that sent shivers down my spine. I jogged into the darkness of the many trees.
After about five minutes of running, I found a large, strong tree. I sat on the forest floor, leaned back against the tree. My eyes shut.
I heard a twig snap and leaves crunch. A gasp.
My eyes opened to see a tall, slim boy with spiked blonde hair stared at me. His bright blue eyes were wide.
“Hi…” I sat up, biting my lip.
“Uh…Hi.” He grinned.
“Can I help you?” I raised an eyebrow.
“I heard you just moved in.”
“Yeah, I did. Does word just travel quickly around here?” I leaned back.
“Sometimes. Though, I saw when you guys pulled up last night.
I smiled. “That makes sense, then.”
“I’m Drake.”
I nodded.
He looked a little saddened. “I should go…” He muttered, before running off.
Finally. My eyes shut once more and I drifted off to sleep.
