Him

Chapter 1

I am forever grateful that I took that turn, because if I hadn't, then I wouldn't have met him.

Cheryl's POV

19 July, Monday

'I never hoped for things to turn out this way. I really am sorry for failing you girls' my mother says after we have moved all the bags in the house.

'Don't be so hard on yourself, especially not for him. It is good that we actually moved out. We all needed a fresh start and besides, Seattle is a very beautiful city and close to family members. We gonna be fine here, happy in fact. To hell with dad!' my sister says.

Vanessa is 19 years old and is a sophomore studying gynecology. She is a bit strict, very over-protective over me and hates lies. She isn't much of a talker but she observes.

Today is my first day of a new beginning. New school, new house, new friends... new life. My parents fought again and I am afraid this time is the end of it. I don't blame mom for wanting to move out and live far from dad. He has been hurting my mother ever since they said their I do's and now she has had enough. We all have had enough. My sister is right. Seattle is a beautiful city and there are a lot of opportunities here. Besides, my best friend, Sasha, lives in Bellevue which is not so far from Belltown.

I help Vanessa with our luggage as we choose our new rooms. As I make my way past the hall, I see the dining room on my left. It looks beautiful with the white rectangular table surrounded by wooden maroon chairs which look very comfortable.

As soon as I pick a room, I start repacking my clothes from the suitcase to the closet. My room looks simple and cozy. It is painted in champagne pink. My medium sized bed is blanketed with cream white linens and the pure white curtains spark my room with an aura of inner peace.

On the floor beside my medium sized bed is a white, soft and fluffy mat. The tiles in my room are so shiny, I could see my reflection.

'Hey' I see Nessa at the corner of my eye standing at the door frame. She enters and sits on the bed.

'hey' I reply shortly and continue packing my stuff.

'Your bedroom looks really nice. I must say I knew you would choose this one' she says and I half smile. I find it hard to smile with what is going on at the moment.

Yes I understand my mother for wanting to move out. She is fed up. I don't know what exactly pushed her completely away this time and I feel like there is a lot she has endured that is still to be uncovered. And yes my father said mean things to us, which might most likely keep on replaying in our heads and trouble us. But despite all this, it doesn't mean that the love I have for my father will just die. I already miss his silly jokes.

I continue with my packing and stay silent.

'Talk to me, how are you holding up?' she asks. My sister and I are really close as she is only three years older than me. I tell her everything and she knows me better than anyone.

'Things are not easy Nessa. It's still very hard for me that our own father could do what he did to us. Everything is just so fresh. Yes I am excited for this city and all but things will never be the same without him Nessa,' tears fill in my eyes and Vanessa stands to reach me from where I am standing. I am a very emotional person.