" What?! " I scream at my mom from across the table.
" I know you're upset, but we have no choice. We leave tomorrow morning. "
" You couldn't have told me this two weeks ago? "
" I had a lot on my plate, I forgot! " She disappears round the corner of the kitchen.
My head reels and I feel like throwing up all over the place. I can't believe mom would do this to us, to me. Twenty-four hours from now, my life will be over. It took me two years to fully settle down in Chicago and now we're moving?
I trudge upstairs to pack up.
_ _ _ _ _ _
The ride to La Salle County, Illinois isn't too long neither too short. And it's nostalgic. I can't help but want to cry.
" Mom? Does our house have a pool? " Trevor asks from the backseat of our old truck which had definitely seen better days.
" No, honey. But there's a fireplace. "
" Terrific! " I can barely refrain from rolling my eyes. Mom shoots me a sidelong glance.
The truck rumbles to a stop in front of a generic suburban house with gray walls. A white picket fence surrounds the building and the lawn is well maintained. It's better than I expected.
Mom kills the engine and we simultaneously drop down, my boots sploshing unto a muddy puddle. I shove the door close, walking to the back of the truck to retrieve my stuff.
Clustered boxes squashed in together gives me the creeps and I'm suddenly reminded why I hate moving. Mom and my siblings each grab a box, walking past me. I fight down tears.
" Need a hand? " A throaty voice asks.
I look behind my shoulder to see a skinny redhead in a rumpled yellow sweater heading my way. Her eyes and nose are all red and puffy, fingers bruised badly.
" Yes please. Thank you. "
" You're welcome. " She slides out a box, which looks heavy. " I'm your neighbor. My house is over there. " She points to a similar looking house to our right.
" Oh. " That's all I can say. I grab a box, following her from behind.
" Where'd you move from? "
" Chicago."
" Why? Chicago's awesome. "
I smile shyly, climbing up the stairs to the front door. " My mom lost her job and since G&G are hiring, she figured why not move here? "
" You don't seem too happy. "
" I'm not. "
She falls quiet as we enter the living room, dumping the boxes.
" Thank you, " Says my mom.
The girl smiles and her chapped lips stretch in a way that makes her look creepy.
" You're welcome. My mom would like to treat you to dinner, so you can expect her by seven."
" Oh! How nice of her. "
Great. We have nosy neighbors. This keeps getting better and better.
The girl hooks a thumb over her shoulder. " I should probably go help her. "
" Um.... Please hold on. Are there any good schools around here? I heard the public schools are terrible. "
" Yeah, they are. There's this private school though, Richardson Academy. It's affordable and I go there too. "
" Oh! Thanks. I'll do my findings on the school. "
She smiles politely and walks out the door. I give my mom a harsh look.
" I am not going to a private school. Too much homework and extra curriculums. "
" Well, you certainly aren't going to a stupid public school either! I'm sick of you acting like the world is coming to an end." She storms out to get more stuff.
At dinner time, the Todd's come over to our house with a huge bowl of ham and corn salad, with thick gravy. I later learn the redhead's name's Lizzie. As in Lizzie Todd, cool name.
" So, " begins Lizzie's mom. " I hear you're considering Richardson Academy for your daughter, that's a good idea. "
I glare at the woman through thick strands of my hair, hoping she notices my look. She doesn't.
" Hmm. You think so. " My mom swallows a mouthful of ham.
" Yes. I mean you work for G&G right? Mr. Sloane doesn't allow his workers pay for tuition, he's a really nice man. "
Ah great. Just great.
" Really? " Mom gives me a patronizing look. I glare in return.
" Yes. It would be perfect for Billie, don't you think? No tuition, and she'll already have my daughter here as a friend. "
No offense but I have no intention of being friends with her, she has a weird vibe. Like now, the way she stares eeriely at her food, her mind is far away from here.
No, thank you.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _