Not So Bad

Chapter 1

I felt something warm brush against my forehead. It wasn't hard, instead it was gentle but I immediately woke up anyway. I searched my room and saw that the time was five o'clock a.m. I then did a more thorough search and saw nothing again except for the dim light my alarm clock made. Then a shadowy figure stepped out into a sliver of moonlight. The figure looked like a woman's body and then I quickly realized that it was her. I couldn't see her very well but I still knew that my mother had come into my room.

Confused I asked, "Mom why are you in my room? Is something wrong?"

"Shush. You have to talk quieter. I'll explain in the car ride there." She whispered.

Car ride! Oh yeah she had a lot of explaining to do.

"Go pick up that suitcase and those bags and follow me, but be very quiet. We don't want to wake up your dad." She told me.

What the hell was she talking about and how did she have time to pack my clothes? Ok just calm down Payton, get your suitcase, follow mom, and stop thinking about the stupid suitcase! I hesitated for a moment, not knowing if I should trust my own thoughts or not, but then decided to get my suitcase.

I didn't bother to get dressed because I knew that I wouldn't have time to so instead I just stayed in my pajamas. My "outfit" was a pair of navy blue shorts with pink and purple polka dots on them and two sparkly pink buttons, and a plain light grey hoodie sweatshirt with one long pocket to fit both of my hands into that said Glenbrook South Titans. (the high school I went to in Chicago) The letters were in navy blue and outlined in gold.

I followed my mom outside my room and to the stairs. As we crept down the stairs I slipped but then regained my balance. and made my way down. Since the stairs weren't near the front door my mom had to go and get a flashlight so we could see where we were going. As she turned on the flashlight there was a path of shining light. It looked so beautiful in the pitch black room. It was so bright that it looked like it was glowing and I could see the tiny dust particles floating individually in the air.

When we made it to the front door my mom got the car keys and opened the door slowly and carefully so that it barley made a squeak. The cool, fresh air felt good on my hot skin but I had bigger things to think about. I still didn't know why my mom got me up this early in the morning, but I didn't have a good feeling about it.

My mom guided me to the dark grey accord. I felt the metal and it gave my chills. I decided to stay in the car while my mom put the suitcases in the trunk. As I plopped down onto the seats I rubbed the soft cushions. It felt good to lie on something soft besides my bed. The seats were all black and like a panther they had stripes of a different black fabric too. Weird? Yes I know but whatever.

Soon my mom closed the trunk and got into the car. I was sitting in shotgun so I was right next to my mom. She turned to look at me so I faced her too.

We stared at each other for a moment longer until she finally broke the silence by saying "I know your probably wondering why we are here right now."

Without thinking I quickly nodded my head.

"This is hard for me to say to you." She continued.

"And I know that you might not agree with this decision but its for the best."

A thought crossed my mind and assuming the worst instead I finished for her.

"You and dad are getting divorced." I spoke regretting my decision.

She looked at me confused then said "No honey your father and I are fine."

I relaxed in my seat and sighed a breath of relief.

"But there is still something I need to tell you." She adds.

"Ok what do you need to tell me?" I ask her.

"Payton like I said this isn't easy for me to tell you." She sighed.

"I'll just start from the beginning. Your father has been having a really hard time with his job and making money, but he kept trying. A little later he had to get laid off. Searching frantically for a job he found his one and applied for it and they accepted him. Unfortunately the work position he got isn't in Chicago." She said.

My body stiffened as I heard this.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean that we are moving to New York City."

****

I forced myself to hold in my tears. I will not cry, I will not cry, I thought.

I didn't want to look at my mom so I stared out the window only to see my neighborhood. Remembering all the good memories I had on this street I turned away, fearing that I might break down at that very second, so instead I stared at my feet.

"What about Dad. Shouldn't he be coming with us?" I asked.

"He'll be going with the movers. He wanted us to get an early start so we could see the house and get used to everything." She replied quickly.

Before she could start the car I asked, "Before we go, can I have one look at the house?"

She smiled at me and said, "I suppose you can."

I didn't want to go without having one last memory of my house.

"Ok thanks mom. It won't take long I promise." I said while getting out of the car.

I looked up at the sky and saw that it was brighter. The sky had turned from a dark blue to a mixture of colors. It was bright orange with hints of hot pink, yellow, and red and I could see the sun starting to peak up from the earth.

I stood there for a second, looking at my house. I could finally see the faded red bricks that made up the entire house. The window sill paint was chipped so you could see some of the wood under the cracked white paint. I tried to look through the window, but could only see the outline of furniture inside my house.

I walked up the two steps to my tiny front porch. The flowers that my mom had planted in early spring were starting to die now that it was nearing the end of summer.

School would be starting soon, I thought sadly.

I let out a long sigh and proceeded to stare at the house. Finally snapping out of my gaze I remembered what I was here to do. I gave one final look at my house, then walked down the steps and retreated back to the car.

I silently slid into the front seat. I turned my head to look at my mother but saw that she wasn't looking at me. Instead she was looking behind her to see if any cars were coming, then quickly pulled out of the driveway.

When she had just started driving down the rode I had nothing to do, but then exhaustion took over my body and I was slowly closing my eyes.

Before I went to sleep I looked at the street I once called my home and then drifted off into a deep slumber.

Ok so I know I haven't updated in a really long time. It's been a slow process and I haven't been very creative with my book. But now chapter 1 is finally done! It's a miracle! ~Aud