I sat in my new room, playing with a flower necklace I had somehow kept through middle school. I resisted the urge to put it in my mouth, instead choosing to slide it idly from side to side on its cheap silver colored chain. I examined my new space again, trying to imagine what it would be like to live a life here. It was hard to get attached; we usually moved away from a place 3-4 years after coming, anyways. I sighed. It's not like the room really gave me much to love. The carpet was pale beige; standard, boring. The walls were painted ballet-shoe pink, faint outlines still left on the wall from the former owner's décor. The closet was a hinged ordeal, the accordion kind that always end up jammed or popped out of their track. I had to yank on it a little bit to get it open in the first place, so I can tell it's going to be a long few weeks dealing with that before mom can call someone in to come and fix it. Probably the best part of the room was the window, a bay style deal with a perfectly sized nook for curling up with a good book. I could tell that I was going to spend a lot of time there; the only downside is that it was built to stare right across into the neighbor's window. I overheard mother talking to the wife of the family next door, and apparently they have a 16 year old son, which is exactly my age. I lock the window, just in case.
"Well," I stood up. "I officially want to take a nap. Guess that means I've gotta build my bed." I wandered to the living room, a grand space with navy blue walls and a white fireplace, currently filled to the brim with precariously stacked boxes. I strolled over to Maya, my handiest sister and my favorite, and whispered loudly in her ear.
"Pssst. You should come help me put my bed together." I said with a dopey smile, playing with her hair.
Maya rolled her eyes, but followed me begrudgingly up the stairs with her Allen wrench in hand. I tend to be constantly jealous of my siblings, who all seem to have been born with some special talent. Celine does extravagant makeup looks, Evangeline could be the next Rupi Kaur, Cleo is practically a piano savant, Maya can fix anything, Eleanor sings like an angel, and Ivy is at the top of her class. I however, have seemingly nothing except for my love of books. Most of the boxes in my room contain books, hundreds of them.
Maya and I finish putting together the bed frame and hoisting the mattress onto the dark, wooden frame. 1109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bBSYJ97WP
"Thanks. I owe you one, alright?" I said, rubbing my hands on my dark skinny jeans.1109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2K9gvMjFy
She nods, exiting the room, and I start unpacking my boxes, grateful that someone has already carried my bookshelves upstairs. I wrench open the closet, preparing to put my wardrobe away. Trudging down the stairs, I grab a box cutter from the kitchen table and bolt back upstairs before any of my sisters notice. Our new house is much bigger than our old one, as we were promised seven bedrooms to accommodate our family. It was practically a mansion, complete with a gate at the front and double staircases. I had called the largest bedroom, other than the master bedroom, as I had the most stuff. The first box I open contains my bed sheets, which is good because I really do need to set my bed up. 1109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKP2QyXr5N
I finish dressing the sheets and slip my shoes off, climbing onto the bed. I carefully drill a small hook into the ceiling, like I have seen Maya do several times before. Setting the drill down carefully on the foot of my bed, I hang my canopy on the hook. I hunt down my pillows, opening several boxes of clothing before finding them tucked away near the back. Placing them on the bed, I curl up in relief under my soft blankets.1109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlBASlNs7e
I awake several hours later to a girl in the middle of my room, looking around wildly.1109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3I4eKAEkQ
"What the hell do you think you're doing in here? I thought I locked my window!" I growl, rolling out of bed.1109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxz3oTtwCg
She offers me a cheeky smile before disappearing back over to her house, saying simply two words before she left: "You did."1109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH6iKkKfoyq
I decided I was going to stay mad for the rest of the night. I refused to sleep anymore, afraid that she would come back over here to steal something. Of course, I still have no idea who she is, or if she even lives next door, but I reserve my right to be furious! I open the remainder of my boxes, hanging my clothes up and stacking my books on the appropriate shelves.
We had moved partially because we were being bullied, and partially because our mothers had been offered jobs here. Mom is a Radiologist, and has been for 20 years, and Mother is a heart surgeon. They met in medical school and immediately fell head over heels for each other. They aren't really home much anymore, but that just makes actually family time all the more valuable. I peer out the window on the other side of my room, which views the back yard. It's beautiful, with a waterfall style pool and a small forest stretching several acres. The front yard is small comparatively, sporting a garden bed and a few shrubs surrounding the circular driveway.
Everyone in the family now has their own private bathroom, Mom had made sure of it, and I am already grateful for that. Back at the old house, we had to share rooms with each other. I was stuck with Maya, and as a result she remains my favorite. I placed my toiletries into my little bathroom earlier, so I feel completely set on taking a hot shower and enjoying my first night at the new house.
The next morning starts with the sun shining brightly in my face, filtering in from the back yard. I change into a rose sweater and jean shorts before grabbing my empty boxes and transferring them to the garage, where the someone will no doubt take them somewhere, preferably away from the house. I jog back up the stairs again, thinking that I will definitely be in shape by the time second quarter rolls around, and grab a random book from the shelf.
I head outside and sit under a large willow tree. The grass is soft underneath my body, and I let out a breath of unparalleled pleasure. I open the book's cover, discovering that it's none other than Julius Caesar. Apparently, my subconscious wanted a classic today. Celine and Cleo are sitting by the pool, watching Ivy swim laps. I smile, glad that we're finally somewhere where we can find peace with our lives. I turn back to my book, reading quietly and enjoying my lazy Sunday at our new house. Hopefully school will be nice as well.1109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBE4pKtWaR
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