I Can't Take It Anymore

9. New House Equals New Chapter

After thirty minutes of still being in the car and my ten minute nap we still haven't came across our new place. Mom has her Bluetooth connected to map out the directions. We still haven't spoke but she doesn't seem in the mood. Every once in a while I would see her glance down at her apple watch and eye her surroundings more than normal. She's more nervous than she is on the daily.

"What's wrong?" I asked, while I looked around following her daze.

Mom sighed while pulling up to a small building that looked old but also filled with a lot of other people. "I'm just thinking about what will happen if your father figures out where we're staying. He did basically kick us out, but you never know with him," she shrugged.

Taking the keys out the ignition she turned back to me. "We're here but just know it's nothing compared to what we once had. It's pretty small but gets the job done. Kind of hard getting something nice with this salary, but let's go we're on the top level and there's the elevator over to the right. You stay here while I go and sign the papers and get the keys."

Mom left in the parking lot. From the looks of everything it doesn't look like we're in the Buckhead area. We most definitely have to be in the opposite direction. Don't get me wrong we aren't in the shabby parts either more like in between. My thoughts keep replaying back to mom thinking about donor. She's always worrying about him, but this time I understood. I think him knowing where we live won't be good because he's the type to stop by just because he feels that he can. The slam of the car door interrupted my thoughts. Mom was back with a set of keys and a stack of papers.

"We're all set." she exclaimed like she was now excited from all of sudden.

I have the hardest time trying to figure out her mood swings nowadays. I followed mom with the bags as we were greeted by a man who showed off his weird crooked smile and dimples. It also showed off too much of his face with his bucked front teeth. I wish he would stop smiling because he's creeping me out, but lucky it's our turn to leave the elevator. So far the scenery was basic. The halls had dark carpet and the lightening was dull while some lights flickered.

We were now in the front of an all white door, waiting for mom to unlock the door. As she opened the door my jaw immediately dropped. I can definitely say that looks can be deceiving.

The room was decorated in soft colors consisting of pink and white. The room is small but big enough for the both of us. There's a small kitchen off to the side of the living room where a small two seated couch took up most of the room including a side table. The apartment already appears to be decorated, thanks to mom.

I know mom said that she couldn't afford all of this, but I think she second guessed herself. This place actually reminds me of a home instead of like the house we shared with donor. Here, everything is small and cozy, while at the other house it was more spacious and overly decorated to the point it took away from its character. I don't know why I'm judging yet because I still have yet to take a look at the bedrooms.

As mom began to unpack things from her suitcase I decided to check out the rooms. The first room was the same size as my other room pretty much medium. A large queen sized bed took up majority of the room and not to mention the drawers where one of us would put our clothes in. I will be fine in this room because it'll just be me, right? Leaving out the room I went further down the hall to see mom's room, but only to be shocked to see a small bathroom and a vacant wall to the right. This has to be joke.

"How are you liking everything?" mom smiled, while noticing my blank expression of confusion.

Cutting to the chase I asked, "Where's the other room?"

"I told you Kailyn that it was small. We can take turns on the couch and the bed it's up to you."

She has to be kidding me I have to share my room with my mom like who does that. I'm sixteen years old and now I'm about to be sharing a room with a thirty-something year old woman. Finally everything started to sink in. I feel like I'm dead wrong. At least she's trying and she's doing it all on her own.

"It's fine. I'll just take the couch."

The rest of our time would mostly include being spent unpacking and getting everything settled. Until mom and me finally realized what time it was. The clock read 8:00 p.m.

"It's getting late. Let's go pick up somethings from the grocery store then something for dinner," said mom breaking the dead silence that surrounded us. In the inside I rolled my eyes because everyone already knows that I hate grocery shopping, but today I'm hungry so there's an exception.

"Ok. I'll go change," I said, walking out of the living room to the room that both me and mom shared to pick out something more comfortable.

I don't know how this living arrangement is about to play out. As of now all my clothes are in the closet folded and hanged on racks, while mom's were stacked in drawers. Deciding on a pair of ripped denim jeans, a baggie hoodie, and pair of high top Vans I headed straight for the shower before leaving . I don't want to go out to eat smelling like a days of work that's just unacceptable and not cute.

...

At the restaurant:

After my shower me and mom went to a local Walmart not too far away from the apartment to grab the essentials like hygiene products, basic foods, and water. We were both starving, so we both decided on pizza. As of now I'm sitting across from mom in a dim lit booth sharing a large cheese pizza. Lately pizza has been my new comfort food. The way it's greasy but leaves me full is everything that I can possibly ask for in moments of my life.

This pizzeria by far has the best pizza I've ever had. Mom is now on her third slice, while I'm struggling to get down my second slice. I'm beyond stuffed but I'm not letting any of this go to waste. If you know what I mean, you have to enjoy the little things why you can. Our dinner isn't probably going to last much longer, since tomorrow is a school and work day.

After everything that happened this weekend I physically don't have the energy for Bianca and her pests tomorrow. I have bigger worries like finding myself a job. I'm now sixteen, so I'm about ready to start making my own. I've brought this up to mom before, but she wasn't giving it a chance. Maybe, since we're now living with just one paycheck she'll change her mind? Though this weekend and yesterday was a complete mess. I did manage to see that the diner I went to was hiring. Weirdly I actually liked the vibe there and the fries were some of the best I ever had. I just need mom to get aboard with my plans.

"Mom, how would you feel about me getting a job?" I nervously asked, as mom looked up at me from her pizza.

Mom gave me one of her apprehensive looks while chewing slowly. "I think it sounds great once you turn eighteen. Your only focus should be on school. We'll be fine. We just can't be spending like we normally would."

"Me getting a job isn't about that. It's more about me having my own." I said in all honesty.

I'm a very independent person. I hate asking people for things. Plus I'm used to working for things so I feel that it's only right. The restaurant was quiet and our booth was silent as mom thought about everything.

"I'll tell you this. You can work part time, but your hours need to match mine from the time you leave school until I get off. I don't need you walking home that time of night. I can't have you working any late hours, so the first time I see your grades failing, I'm ending this. Ok?"

I eagerly nodded knowing that there would be a catch, but this time I can understand her concerns. My grades stay consistent so I know that I won't be having any problems. The only thing that's stopping me is getting an interview. Maybe I'll stop by before school tomorrow, since I know they sell breakfast too. Once we go home I have a lot to do. I need to find me the perfect outfit and prepare myself for another day at Atlanta High and all of it's rodents including Bianca. There's never a dull moment in my life, ughh!