I was still frozen in my room, a chill running down my spine. Why would someone show up here?
'Maybe if I don't answer, the person will go away.' I reasoned. But the person rang again.
'Come on Emily, this is the first stage of conquering social awkwardness.' I said to myself.
I summoned up all my courage and went downstairs. As I walked, I counted to thirty, trying to calm my nerves. Finally, when I felt that I was mentally ready, I opened up the door to find a smiling female face standing right in front of me. I tilted my head in confusion.
"Hi! You're new here right? I'm Karla."
"Huh, yes, nice to meet you?"
"Sorry for showing up unannounced. I brought you this gift." She pointed at the wrapped small box in her hand. I collected it from her wearily.
"Thanks, do you want to come in?"
"Sure!" She walked into my house and I immediately started regretting it. I don't even know her.
"Wow, who would have thought this house would look so different. A friend of mine used to live here, but she moved out about a year ago. I'm Karla." She repeated again
"Oh, I'm Emily."
"Nice name." I could feel her eyes inspecting me from top to bottom. I almost wanted to sprint out of here.
"So Emily, welcome to the neighbourhood! You look like you're around my age, seventeen?"
I stared at her in shock. She actually guessed my age. And she's so energetic. Almost like Courtney.
"Yes, I am."
"Awesome! Well, I live two blocks away from here. In case you ever need help. You don't really have a close neighbour yet."
"Yeah, we don't."
"You're not Canadian, your accent is more like American?"
"Yes, American. Moved all the way from California."
"Really? That must have been tough. Anyways, I just wanted to drop by and say hello. And as I said, I live on the third block. Large cream house, just like this one. Name on mailbox, Jenkins."
"Alright, I'll keep note of that."
"Great! I'll see you soon. Thanks for having me." She said and ran out through the door.
I went up to close the door. Sitting down, I unwrapped the gift slowly. Inside was a pen. A smile came onto my lips. It was the weirdest 'welcome to the neighbourhood' present I'd ever seen. I dropped it on the table.
"I should eat something before leaving." I immediately ran up to the kitchen to prepare a quick meal for myself. Now, I wasn't that much of a cook, but I could still whip up a few things. I took a peak at what our fridge had.
'Nothing much, but I should still make it work.'
I got to work, bringing out a saucepan and a bunch of ingredients. Seeing the ingredients, I knew I was doomed.
'Ok, maybe I was wrong about this.' I had eggs, cheese, milk, macaroni and other stuff. For once in my life, I regretted not actually learning something.
It's not that I couldn't cook completely, I only learnt the basics. Boiling eggs, making noodles, sandwiches, toast, etc. Those were the most I could make do with. But most of the ingredients here didn't look like something I could work with at all.
'Just go out and have lunch at a restaurant or something. You were planning on heading out right?' My brain told me.
That was the most feasible thing I could think of. Unless I wanted to burn our new kitchen down. Which would be a calamity. It's better I went out to eat. I put back all of the ingredients I brought out back to their rightful place and prepared to head out.
"I hope mom left some cash." I checked a few places where she might keep cash for me. But instead, I found a note on the kitchen counter. I didn't even realise that it was there.
"Check up in me and your dad's room. You'll find my credit card in the drawer. I know you'll be too lazy to cook something. Be careful."
A huge smile formed on my face. It's nice when you have a thoughtful mother. I ran up to the room, got the credit card, and left the house, for the first time since we've arrived.
****
Meanwhile, a few blocks away;
"So did you meet anyone?" A girl asked Karla.
"Yeah, a girl around my age. I don't think anyone else was at home though."
"Ok, and what did you tell her? How was she like?'' asked another girl. Her blue eyes sparked with curiosity. They were all in a circle.
"I Just said I wanted to say hello, which was true. And she was normal I guess. A little bit conceited and shy. But she's really pretty."
"And?" Asked the first girl.
"Nothing else. We didn't talk for long. Although the house is very beautiful. They really changed it."
"Alright, I guess we'll meet her later then. You know, tell her how the neighbourhood works and help her fit in."
"I don't know Tasha. She seems like the quiet type. You know, the type of girl that doesn't make friends easily." Said Karla.
"Everyone is like that when they move in. Just give her a few weeks, she has to make friends. You said they moved from California?"
"Yes, they're totally americans."
"Then she probably doesn't know anyone here. And we will be there to help her."
"If I may ask, why are we so interested in being friends with a complete stranger?"
"Because Kat, she moved into the house of my closest friend and I just want to get to know her. And there's nothing wrong with making new friends."
"Alright, then I guess until next time." Said Tasha. And she turned to leave.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Kat yelled.
"I'm supposed to be babysitting." Then she ran away. Karla only rolled her eyes.
"I'll see you later Karla." And the girl named Kat also left, leaving Karla to head home by herself.
'Emily the new girl in town.'