a place to stay | r.h

ch. 01

I bit down hard on my lip as I saw the Heffley house in the distance.

"Don't be nervous." My mom said, parking along the curb. "Susan is a great person, and I'm sure you'll get along with her boys."

"I've met these people once." I replied. "I barely know them."

"Lily, I'll be back before you know it." Her sympathetic blue eyes stared into my matching ones.

I sighed. No use to argue anymore. She took off her seat belt and pulled me into a tight embrace.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Susan walk out of the front door, carrying her youngest son in her arms.

Mom released me and we got out of the car. I inhaled sharply before getting my bags from the backseat.

"Hi!" Mom exclaimed, hugging Susan. "Thanks for letting Lily stay here for a little while."

"Not a problem!" She replied before walking over to me.

She pulled me into a side hug,

"You've gotten so big since the last time I saw you!"

I let out a light laugh. I was at a loss for words, I didn't really know what to say.

"Let me help you with that." She grabbed one of my bags.

"Well, I should get going." Mom hugged me once again. "Be good, Liliana. I'll miss you, don't forget to call me tonight."

"Bye mom. I love you."

"I love you, too."

Mom and Susan said their goodbyes, and she left.

"This is Manny by the way." Susan turned to the side a bit to show me Manny. "How old are you, Manny?"

He held up his hand that had previously been stuck in his mouth,

"Four!" He exclaimed.

I giggled,

"He's cute."

"Come inside, we can talk before the boys come home from school and work." Susan motioned me to follow her and we walked inside the house.

The house was very clean, and it had a sort of lemon scent. It seemed like she just got done cleaning the house.

"Don't get used to the clean house, it'll be messy by tonight." She sat down on the couch.

I laughed softly once again and sat next to her.

"So, I've made arrangements for you to stay in Manny's room, if that's okay. You two can be roomates!"

Manny clapped his hands together, and I copied him,

"Yay!" I said to him.

"There's already a bed in there, and an extra dresser for you. I'll give you a quick house tour, and go over some rules."