by A. M. Brooks
“I have a good feeling about this job, Nora. Anders and I go way back. This is the move we’ve been waiting on. I think we’re going to like it here.”
I went back to looking out my window, watching as we passed by rows of traffic. I’d heard the same speech too many times. I gave him a small smile anyway. A part of me wanted to believe my dad that we could finally stop the moving and just be. I missed being in one spot, knowing the neighbors and owning a pet.
Soon we were rounding down a grassy hill. Huge green lawns sprawled on both sides. Magnificent houses and a few mansions lined both sides of the road. I peeked at my dad wondering how he had the money to afford a home on this street. My mom had left a small fortune when she passed, but I knew that was dwindling after being touched more than it should have been. I whistled under my breath.
“What?” he asked, glancing at me again. We drove up the driveway before stopping in front of the large two-story home. It was white. I hate when everything is white.
“How are you affording this, Mark?” I asked. I pinched the bridge of my nose hoping to hold off the migraine lurking behind my eyelids. He hated when I called him Mark, but at this point, I felt we were even. I hated spending money on a huge house we couldn’t afford…again.
“Technically, we don’t own it per se,” my dad shrugged. “Anders gave me a signing bonus so I could rent it.”
“So…technically, we’re homeless.” I climbed out of the vehicle before he could answer.
“We’re not homeless, Nora. We’re renting. And as soon as I’ve been working and can save, we’ll get a house.” We stood in front of the door now. White. Great, another home that will be cold and pristine, sterile like a hospital. The door swung open slowly, we both stood at the entrance. I was about to enter into home number twelve and chills were running up and down my spine. My dad huffed next to me before going in and turning on the lights. A huge chandelier hung above us, the walls were an off-white color, and there was minimal furniture. My nose scrunched at the slight musty smell.
“How long has this place been just sitting here?” I asked.
“A few months I think is what Anders said,” my dad replied, heading toward the kitchen. He opened the fridge which was, of course, empty and room temperature. “Guess I’ll be getting groceries later tonight.” He plugged in the fridge and it thrummed to life.
“I can do it,” I said with a shrug. It’s not like I really had anything else to do.
“You sure?” he asked, a hopeful look spreading over his face. I shrugged again.
“Here.” He took his wallet from his jeans, shoving a bunch of folded bills at me. “Get whatever you think we need and please get me some protein shakes. You know the ones I like.”
I nodded.
“Awesome,” he replied then glanced at his watch. “I’m going to go shower then before dinner with Anders and his family.” Before I could even respond, he was bounding up the stairs.
I looked around at the empty kitchen the silence weighing on me. Our bags still were parked by the front door.
“Lovely,” I muttered to myself before hefting my bag into my arms and finding my room upstairs. In addition to the master bedroom my dad had claimed, there was another spare bedroom on the lower level and a small bathroom. Upstairs there was a spare room with a large bathroom attached to what was supposed to be my room. Large windows faced the backyard and surrounding hills. I could see the house next door, yet they did not have a window facing mine. I pulled the curtains shut anyway and was assaulted by raining dust balls.
“Great!” My voice raised and suddenly feeling angry all over again at the current situation. I yanked the curtains down and threw them in a heap on the floor. Either I’ll get new ones if I have money leftover or I guess I’ll be washing those before I put them back up.
A few of my clothes ended up folded into the white dresser on the far side of the room next to the empty closet. I scattered my mixed CDs from middle school on top and plugged in my docking station for my iPhone. I settled for some old school Eminem while I heaved my mattress and bedframe up the stairs. I was putting it together as lyrics from “Superman” filled the air.
“Really, Eminem.” My dad stood in the doorway.
“Yup,” I said, going back to the task in my hands ignoring his presence.
“You know I was in college when this song was popular.” He cocked his head to the side.
“You’re old, Dad,” I tell him as I smile anyway thinking of my parents in college listening to Eminem.
“It’s starting to feel that way,” he said, looking around the room I had claimed as mine, his voice sadder. “You sure you don’t want to go to dinner with us?” he asked again.
“Yeah,” I said, using the screwdriver to motion to the bedframe. “Lots to do.”
“Okay.” He gave me one last sad look before turning and leaving.
I told myself I wouldn’t feel bad about not going. I heard the door shut and lock before I blew out the breath I’d been holding since the car ride. Being around my dad was almost suffocating. As in his arrogance sucked all the air out of the room. I was happy to be left by myself. I didn’t even mind that I had to grocery shop after. I could explore on my own. It’s not that I didn’t like Mikayla and her family, it’s just that I hadn’t seen her in almost eight years when we were teetering on the edge between children and adolescents. We didn’t stay connected on Instagram and I didn’t use Snapchat or Facebook. I wanted to just get by in this city and not rekindle friendships. It would be easier that way when we leave one day and knowing my dad…we would leave someday no matter how hopeful he was.
Once the bed was put together, I quickly changed into a clean pair of jean shorts, not caring much else about my appearance, before grabbing my wristlet filled with the cash from my dad and my phone. He had left the keys on the counter which I was thankful for considering I did not yet know the bus system here, and likely couldn’t afford a cab. Not like bringing groceries home on the bus would be fun anyway. I had tried that once in New York and it was horrible. By the time it was actually my stop, most of the frozen foods were thawed and the strawberry ice cream leaked into the bottom of the bag and onto my white sweats. I could laugh now, but at the time, it had been horrifying.
Once in the car I did a quick search of nearby grocery stores in the area, surprised when a large convenience store popped up nearby. Deciding that was the way to go, I followed Siri’s advice until I pulled into a packed parking lot. The gas station was just as full, with cars waiting behind the ones currently pumping. I shook my head trying to remember that I was now in one of the largest areas of southern California. Of course it would be busy.
I parked easily before climbing out of the truck. Dark strands of my shoulder length hair blew around my face in the slight breeze. I felt almost nervous as I pushed the strands back behind my ears and tried to pretend that I wasn’t attracting curious stares from some of the people outside the store. My fingers itched to tug at the bottom of my red tank top wishing I could make it a little longer. It wasn’t indecent, but a small sliver of my lightly tanned skin was visible. I hadn’t thought to change my shirt before leaving the house, only my shorts. Right now, I’d give anything to have another barrier covering me. Head down, I walked into the store and shivered slightly as the air conditioning hit me full force. Definitely wish I had a sweater now. People were wandering around and some had baskets full of bottles and cans. Some people looked underage, and with the guilty looks on their faces, they were going to have an interesting time at the checkout counter. Oh yeah, it’s Friday. Most people like to party on Friday I laughed to myself as I headed down the first aisle to get the basics we would need.
“We don’t need that many bags of chips, Taylor, it’s not like people are going to actually eat them anyway.” I heard two girls arguing as I squeezed my way past them down the aisle.
“Ethan asked me to get a few bags, Lily,” the other girl answered her, throwing her perfectly manicu
red hands in the air. It was hard to suppress my laugh at her gesture.
“It’s a bonfire on the beach, Tay. I don’t think too many people care.”
“I’m just doing what Ethan asked,” the girl named Taylor said, crossing her arms over her chest. The girl looked more like she was heading out to a club than a beach bonfire. I was slightly fearful for the girl, Taylor, that her boobs were going to burst out of her top if she kept swinging her arms like that. The other girl at least had a jean jacket over her dress, and it came past her knees.
“Whatever,” the other girl, Lily, said, tired of fighting with Taylor. “What Ethan wants Ethan gets, I guess.” Taylor stuck her tongue out at the girl.
I quickly made my way down the next couple of aisles shaking my head at the girls wondering if this is how all the girls here are and if they would be at my new school. Summer vacation was ending in two weeks then I’d be a junior at Araminta High. Beginning another school year without friends and no clue how the school was set up. Dad had tried to see if we could get in the building after the weekend to look around the school but had been turned down since some students would be starting fall practice for sports.
I rounded the corner of the last aisle of the store, reaching down to grab a box of tampons I knew I would need at some point. Standing quickly, I bumped right into a solid chest. My eyes darted up to the offender and collided with a bright hazel pair. His tanned arm was reaching above me, his hand wrapped around a box of condoms. I looked away quickly, my face turning a deep shade of red. This was awkward.
“Rough night?” the guy asked me. My attention snapped back to him, ready to ask what he meant. His head was tilted to the side, he nodded at the box I was holding close to my chest, his bottom lip was pulled between his teeth, and he looked like he was holding in his laughter. My cheeks turned redder.
“Can’t be too prepared,” I said, shoving the box quickly in my cart. “Have a good night, make smart choices,” I said, tilting my head at his box before walking quickly away. I heard deep laughter behind me before a strong arm wrapped around my shoulders.
“You’re new,” he said, more as a statement.
“What was your first clue?” my sarcasm biting to the surface.
“Most girls wouldn’t walk away from me if I was holding a box of condoms,” he said matter of fact. Ego much? I shrugged my shoulders. He laughed again.
“This is the best!” he said. “What’s your name, beautiful?” He stopped us so we were facing each other in the aisle. I took in his whole appearance this time. Hazel eyes and white teeth on a very handsome face. He wore a baseball hat on backward, small tufts of dark hair could be seen underneath. A quick sweep up his body told me all I needed to know. He was relaxed in a pair of board shorts that hung low on his hips and a baggy dark green T-shirt. He was non-intimidating with his open body posture despite the fact he looked lean and muscular. He wore a cocky look on his face when I looked back at him.
“Nora,” I said, holding out my hand to him. Surprisingly he took my hand in his. His engulfed mine completely, my tan a few shades lighter than his. He was definitely a beach boy.
“Ethan,” he said. “What are your plans tonight, Nora?” My mind thought back to the two blondes I’d seen a few minutes ago. I wonder if he was chip loving Ethan. It was a common name but judging by his looks and that girl’s obvious devotion to him, I’d bet he was the Ethan.
“You’re looking at it,” I said, waving my arm over the cart like Vanna, trying to walk away again. The last thing I wanted was to start drama as the new girl, and the one girl looked like drama.
“There is a party at the beach tonight,” he said. “You should come.”
“I have not found the beach yet, that’s on my to-do list tomorrow,” I said, walking farther down the aisle. People were walking by and looking me up and down while we talked.
“I can drive you, or you can follow me,” he offered, completely oblivious to the other guy who slapped him on the shoulder as he walked by us.
“I have to get my groceries home,” I told him. “Thanks for the invite though.” I started to walk away again.
“How about I’ll follow you, you drop your things off, then follow me to the beach?” he suggested, his eyebrows raised.
I scrunched my nose. I wasn’t really feeling a party tonight and I did not look anywhere near as dressed up as the girls I saw earlier.
“I won’t take no for an answer, Nora. You’re my friend now, and it’s my job to introduce you to the people you’ll be in school with this year.” Ethan’s words rang true in my gut. Yes, I’d just met him, but he seemed harmless. And apparently, he liked that I didn’t know him. Still.
“How about I’ll drop my groceries off, then meet you back here to follow you?”
His smile grew wider. “Smart,” he nodded appreciatively. “You are a smart girl, Nora. We’re going to be great friends.”
We walked to the checkout lines, going our separate ways. When I was done bagging my items, I rolled the cart to my SUV. Standing next to a parked Range Rover by the gas station, I could see Ethan. He stood a good couple inches taller than the other guys surrounding the vehicle. I noticed the two girls from the chip aisle were standing over there too. The one, Taylor, had her arm slung around Ethan’s waist. He hadn’t struck me as the type of guy who had a girlfriend though, and I noticed his gaze was on the other girl, Lily, who was sitting in the yellow convertible next to them. Interesting.
I pulled away in the SUV and drove home the way Siri again instructed me would be fastest. At the house, I didn’t rush to put things away and before I knew it, I was closing the last cupboard. It was now or never. I quickly wrote a note to my dad before jumping back into the vehicle and driving toward the super-mart.
The whole way I debated what I would do if no one was there anymore. I could go back in and rent a movie from the Redbox. Surprisingly, it was the thought that people would still be there that threw my stomach for a loop. My SUV crept back into the lot by the gas station and sure enough, three vehicles remained. Ethan was leaning against his truck and waved me down right when he saw me. A couple in a black Escalade were getting back in their vehicle and another blue truck was already occupied with three other guys and a girl who was chatting on her cell phone. I let my breath go when I noticed the yellow convertible was gone. Ethan walked up to my rolled down window.
“Follow me,” he said, tapping my hood before climbing up into his Rover.
As we wound our way out of the hills, I began to feel better that I had made this decision. As an only child, I often felt like the parent of my two immature parents. Their cycle of happiness, fighting, making up, and being happy again was a constant in our home. I mediated when I shouldn’t have been exposed to their problems at all. I stayed home often instead of playing longer with the neighbor kids to make sure both my parents were okay. I think my mom at least felt bad because she had always been telling me to step out of my comfort zone and not be the adult all the time. I smiled to myself wondering if she would approve. It still felt like a sledgehammer to my heart that she had chosen to leave us. That her problems were bigger than I realized. Just Dad and I, the man-child and the teenage-adult.
It was a good half an hour before the shoreline came into view. The sun had already descended into the horizon when we literally pulled onto the sand and parked our cars by everyone else. I spotted the yellow convertible not too far away. As we got out, Ethan came up to me and tugged on my hand pulling me over to the others from the gas station.
“Guys, this is Nora,” he said, shoving me forward. “Nora, this is Alex and his girlfriend Summer, and that is Cody, Jake, Pat, and Whitney.” They all nodded at me in hello.
Summer waved and gripped my elbow. “It’s nice to meet you, Nora. Are you a junior or senior this year?”
“I’ll be a junior this fall,” I said, relaxing more that at least one girl here was friendly. I had been to enough schools to know that a new girl somehow always seemed
threatening to other teenage girls.
“That is my best friend, Whitney. We’re both seniors, say hi Whit,” she said, poking her friend in the ribs.
“Ouch!” Whitney said, shielding her sides. “Hi.”
“Don’t mind her,” Summer said, shaking her head. “Her boyfriend is in college and moved away this week. They’ve been texting nonstop.” She laughed. I nodded in understanding. After our ninth move, I had tried a long distance thing that lasted three weeks before he told me he had cheated.
“Long distance can be hard,” I said.
“Thank you,” Whitney said, finally cracking a smile. “At least someone understands.” She nudged Summer back.
“Does that mean you have a boyfriend, Nora?” Ethan asked as he stepped between Whitney and me and laid his arms across our shoulders.
“No, that is an; ‘I have tried’ opinion,” I told everyone. Ethan didn’t remark on my comment, just gave me a wink.
“Who needs relationships anyway!” he exclaimed and bumped fists with the blonde guy from earlier, Pat.
“And that is why you’re single,” Summer said, pointing her finger at Ethan. Her boyfriend Alex had caught up to us as well and was holding her hand.
“No,” Ethan said, shaking his head. “I’m single because I know myself well enough to know that there is a whole world of women out there waiting for me and I owe it to them to not be tied down when they meet me.”
I shook my head knowing I had Ethan pegged when we first met. I knew he would be a great friend and just a friend.The bonfire I had been imagining was not at all what was happening on the beach when we finally got there. The party had been secluded from the road, at least fifty people were there dancing, there was actually someone set up with a small DJ table, and the fire was huge. It reached at least seven feet in the air. A few people stood around it, but the majority were next to the coolers and a small keg that was half buried in the sand. Red Solo cups were stacked next to the keg along with the infamous bags of chips.
