Under Grey Skies

ᴏɴᴇ

Adalia - POV.

"Honey," My dad says as I walk in the house coming back from school.

"Yes dad?" I ask kicking my shoes off and placing them onto the mat next to the door.

"I'm afraid we'll have to move." He says looking down and playing with his feet.

"Please let it be in the same state, because we traveled from Canada, to California, back to Canada, and now here, New York." I say.

"We've traveled more than that, but we will be staying in the same state." He lets out a deep sigh causing me to hug him.

"We're leaving in a few hours, so it's best for you to pack up everything." He says.

"Okay." I go upstairs and do so. Meanwhile, I text my friends and tell them goodbye.

(...)

Here we are, in a new city. I find myself looking at every tree, cars, and buildings pass my sight on my side. I lean my head against the tinted window and sigh before closing my eyes. It was somewhat quiet, for now, with the sky turning dusk and the moon was seen peeking out.

"Lia, wake up, Lia come on, we're here." I open my eyes and find my dad right in front of me. He pats my face and takes his seatbelt off as I do the same.

"Look at what we're staying at!" I hop out of the car and examine the house expecting some kind of dirty apartment or something.

It was the exact opposite. The house wasn't that big, but it was big, judging the front of it. It had a huge driveway with several windows and a place where anyone can chill out and watch movies on the projector that we have.

"We moved the 'big' things while you were dozed off." He says.

"Is this for us?" I turn to him.

"For us, baby." I smile.

"Let's move in." He says cheesing as I nod and go back to the truck. I grab my suitcases and get freaking jumpscared.

"Did I startle you?" My uncle Levi says. I playfully slap him across the face and then hug him.

He lives a couple streets down, or that's what I was told during the ride to here. I love my uncle, and I call him Jimothy for some reason. He's twelve years older than me making him twenty-nine years old, so not even thirty yet. He's very playful and flirtatious.

He has three children and all of them are living with him. His oldest child and only son, Grayson, is twelve; he was my age when he had his first child. He has two daughters and they are ten and seven; Rylee and Aubree.

I haven't seen them since last year, and Jimothy still says they miss me a lot.

"Grayson misses you A LOT!" He says. See?

"He does?" By the way, how is he?" I ask.

"He deeply misses you, and he's doing great."

"How about Rylee and Aubree?" I ask.

"Same as always; a crazy team." He says with a little chuckle. I giggle at his response.

"I have to come visit you guys on the weekend." I say.

"It is the weekend!" He says. He's right, it is Friday.

"True, I may have forgot." I say causing him to laugh.

"I'll let you guys settle in," he says. "Oh yeah, our neighbors are having this HUGE neighborhood party, it's all over trees and stuff."

He gives me a flyer.

"Cool," I reply.

"I'll expect to see you there, m'lady." He says patting me on the back and goes away to go help my dad again.

"Idiot." I say to myself then laughing at myself.

That's my uncle.

I read the flyer he gave me,

'Neighborhood Party, for all neighbors. Free food, drinks and music!

Sunday at 11 am to 6 pm.

Karaoke begins at 4:30. Hosted by Mr. Ruess.'

It listed his address and phone number. I fold the piece of paper and fit it in my pocket. I continue getting my suitcases out the truck and go in the house to pick my bedroom. It had about 10 doors upstairs, wow. I walk around and find myself in front of one of these doors. I open it and walk in. This is a perfect size and in the perfect spot.

There was already a bed there, my bed, how did he know?

(...)

It's Sunday, 9 am. Two hours until I embarrass myself in the neighborhood, and one day until I go to a new school and get bullied... again.

I throw myself to the shower and then to my wardrobe. Every time I wear a comfortable outfit to any public meets, I always feel as if they are judging me every second. I tried to back out of this, but my dad made  me. He claims I need to be social.

The thing is, I just don't like people. I sigh before putting on ripped jeans at the knees and a kind of cropped shirt, enough to where it's just below my belly button. I put on a cream colored cardigan and take one last look before finally being satisfied with my choice.

I brush my dyed grey-ombre hair and let it fall on my right shoulder. I head downstairs and look at the clock on the stove, 10:30.

I go upstairs and make sure dad is up before I forget. He is sleeping. I pick up a pillow and throw it at him.

"Stop it Julicia, I'm trying to sleep." He murmurs under his breath. I cringe at that name.

"Dad wake up, it's Adalia, your loving and caring daughter." I say.

"JUÁREZ!" He bolts up from his bed and takes a deep breath to calm his nerves. He has a habit of screaming that.

"Sorry, yes Lia?" He says.

"It's almost eleven." After I say that he runs to the bathroom leaving me to assume he's getting ready.

"Okay." I say to myself and fix his bed sheets. He will be proud of me. Oh yeah, I'm doing this because I'm taking care of my dad. Since him and Julicia split, he's been feeling down. He is also very strict about cleanliness. I wouldn't be mad, I see why he is though.

(...)

"Hello!" The man greets my dad and I after opening the door.

I'm assuming we arrived early, because he was surprised.

"Hello." My dad and I return.

"Come in." He guides us to sit on the couch.

"Nice to meet you guys, my name is Larry Ruess, my wife and I are hosting this party." He says exchanging hands with us.

"Adalia Juárez." I say.

"Timothy Juárez, her father." My dad says. Just had to throw that in there, huh dad?