After

Chapter 1:Move

I heard a knock on my door before it cracked open. The face of my best friend, Karen, appeared in the crack. I smiled at her as she made her way in. "Hey Sam!" I waved as I folded my clothes. My room was filled with boxes, all packed and taped.

Karen came over and helped me finish packing. Afterwards, we sat in a comfortable silence, enjoying the comfort of the other's presence. Finally, Karen broke he silence, lunging towards me and wrapping me in a strong hug. I hugged her back tightly, seeking comfort in her arms as she sought comfort in mine. She pulled away from me, tears in her eyes. I pulled her back into a hug as her face collapsed, "I-I d-don't w-want you t-to move!" She sobbed into my shoulder. I rocked her as tears blurred my vision.

We sat there, crying, sharing memories and holding each other. After a while, my door opened and mom came in. She smiled sadly, unshed tears glistening in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Karen and I, holding us as the tears started falling.

......

The moving truck was loaded with everything. Dad was sitting in the driver's seat, with keys in the ignition. He smiled, waving at Karen, mom, and I. He pulled out of the driveway, leaving mom, Karen and I alone.

I turned to Karen, a brave smile on my face. My smile dropped as I saw the tears already there. I clung to Karen as though she were my life line. My tears fell as we cried. We clung to each other as mom got into the car, starting it. Mom honked the horn. I pulled away, I had to be strong. "I'll visit, I promise, and I'll call, and you'll come visit, and we'll snapchat, and it will be like I never left." Karen smiled at my attempt to sound brave. We walked to the car, and I got in next to mom. I closed the door, looking at Karen through my window. We'd been friends since the diaper days. We always did stuff together, got in trouble together. We practically lived together. Mom began pulling out of the driveway as I rolled down my window. Karen ran beside the car as mom drove away. I waved, tears streaming down my face. Karen stopped at the corner, standing there waving, tears wetting her cheeks. I waved until she disappeared from sight. I missed her already.

We drove in silence, leaving the place that we called home all of my life. Mom turned on the radio, soft music floating through the speakers. I rested my head on the window as we drove, the road passing by quickly. I was surrounded by a sad blackness.

.......

"We're here." Mom was shaking me awake. I pulled my head away from its spot on the window. I looked up at the house outside. My new home. Now officially a California girl, I guess. The house was large with the ocean behind it. I got out of the car, slowly setting my feet on the ground. I took a few steps towards the house. It was massive, as though one could walk in and never come back out.

"Sam." I turned to where dad was unloading boxes with my name on them. I grabbed them, setting them down on the ground before grabbing one and bringing it into the house. Mom followed me with another of my boxes. We set it in the living room before heading up the stairs to see the bedrooms. The first door was the bathroom. It was large with silver tiles and blue walls.

The next door was the master bedroom. I walked into it, looking in the bathroom that would be my mom'so and dad's. The room even had a walk-in closet. Mom and I continued on, coming to a room that was painted red. The trim was black, as was the carpet. I think that it's safe to say that I fell in love instantly. Mom watched as I walked into the room, running my hands along the wall. I turned and smiled at her, "This is the one." She grinned at me as we headed back down stairs. A man was standing outside, looking up into the truck. I walked out, followed by mom. The man looked over at us, smiling.

As we neared, the man held out his hand for my mother to shake, "I'm Dan Roth, your neighbor."

Mom smiled and shook his hand, "I'm Bella Maier and this is my daughter Samantha." He held out his hand for me to shake. I smiled and shook it. "Nice to meet you sir."