...There it was. One look at the house and I knew I was headed straight to hell. Now I wasn't always the type to think so negatively, but I had a good reason. Hi, my name is Mariah. I'm sixteen years old and practically almost a woman...I think. Well that's what my mom keeps telling me, and after being told a billion times, you start to believe these things. Anyways we just moved to California and I know what you're thinking, California is definitely the place to be because what's there to hate in such an exciting place? Well they made it look so much more exciting on T.V., I swear T.V. lies to people all the time.

"Mariah honey, don't think too hard, you'll hurt yourself. Plus its already hot, wouldn't want you getting one of those random headaches you're always complaining about." Wow. Thanks mom. The only reason we moved was because of her job. I hate how we move constantly, but she said we're staying in Cali for a long time...Hopefully?

I grabbed my bags and headed to my room, we came months earlier to look at the place so I was already familiar with it. I set my stuff down and headed down the stairs...Actually took me awhile because I was trying to savor the moment. "Mariah sweetie" there she goes using that sweet tone on me. "Yes mother dearest" I replied with the same tone she gave me.

"Don't mock me dear"

"Wasn't trying to Mother." A smirked appeared on my face.

"Anyways, I don't have time for your childish games. I have to go to the office, but I want you to get familiar with the neighborhood. Maybe you should go for a walk while I'm gone."

Is she serious? I swear sometimes my mother doesn't care about me. What if someone steals me?...But I'll do this just for her. Curse my mommy loving ways. "Okay, sure. But if I die, you know why."

"Sweetie don't say things like that. It's not healthy."

The neighborhood wasn't that bad. To be honest it looked like one of those rich neighborhoods you see on T.V all the time. I hate places like this; I bet the kids are all stuck up and snotty. Whatever. Only 6 more months until I go back to my old neighborhood to see my friends again. I guess you could say that I was somewhat antisocial...I could make friends if I chose to, but I was never up for it. But I'm very open-minded about a lot of things...err scratch that, not that many things.

As I continued my journey to, God knows where, I spotted some girls sitting outside on their deck. One was wearing a floral dress with her hair down in curls and the other one was wearing a black dress, her hair was black with curls, and black gladiators. Damn, who died? I thought to myself. It wasn't until they looked my way that I realized how long I've been staring at them. I looked up at the sky and then back at the ground to look like I was lost, but to be honest, I wasn't. I looked to my right and realized I was back where I started. So I live across from them? Nice.

The girl who was wearing the floral dress headed towards her car. Wow, a Porsche? They really are rich here. When the girl in the floral dress left, I decided to head inside...wouldn't want her other friend thinking that I was creeping on her in any way.

"Sweetie, is that you?" My mom was home already? Whoa, that was fast.

"Yeah mom, it's me." I walked upstairs to her room to find her unpacking some boxes.

"Hey dear, how was your walk?" She asked while almost dropping her fancy China.

"It was okay. Not really much to see around here"

"I know darling. But you'll make some friends and then you'll start to see some good things."

What a positive mom. You could always count on her for being sunshine mother of the year. My mom was one of those happy moms...you could get her to laugh at anything. It gets annoying at times, but you get used to it. For me, the whole peppy thing hasn't really sunk in yet.

"Oh by the way dear, we're having guests over for dinner tonight"

"What?! Who? I mean you barely know anyone here"

"Oh it's my workmate Sandra and her daughter"

Another girl? Maybe she's my age. "Um mom, how old is her daughter?"

My mom stopped in her tracks and thought for a minute. " I believe she's the same age as you, but enough about that. Go get ready because we're going out to eat."

"Okay." And with that I left her room. This dinner should be interesting. I'm used to just me and my mom at the dinner table, but I guess sharing wouldn't hurt.

I must say, the restaurant was quite fancy. I felt a little under dressed though...tell me what teenage girl goes to dinner dressed like she's heading out to a Paramore concert? Well apparently, that's me at the moment. And I still couldn't find anything on the menu that I liked, everything was in French. The only word I knew was Menu, and that's only because it was on the front.

"Tell me again why we're eating at a place where I can barely read the menu?" I asked my mom as she looked up with a confused look on her face.

"Because Sandra loves French food...and I thought it'd be nice if we ate differently tonight"

"Yeah mom, that's why they have Texas steak house. I'd rather eat there then here."

"Mariah, please don't start with me now."

"But-"

"Stop."

I guess that shut me up...for like five minutes. I hate this place, it's so quiet and I swear you can hear everybody's heart beat! Why must my mom ruin my life? I would understand if she took something else away from me, but food? That's just wrong.

Since this Sandra lady hasn't shown up, might as well bug my mom into taking me to Texas Steak House. Just as I set my menu down, I saw two people heading our way. I guess that was Sandra and her daughter? My mom looked the same way I was looking and stood up immediately greeting Sandra with a hug.

"Sandra! How are you? Please, sit"

"Thanks Elizabeth."

My mom and Sandra didn't waste no time on ordering their food and chatting about work. This is one of those awkward moments were you don't really know what to say, so you stay quiet until you're spoken to. But I barely touched my food...I was so focused on Sandra's hair. It was very long and I just couldn't help but wonder how she took care of it. She was flawless and that kind of scared me a little. I guess I was a little bit too deep in thought, because I saw some hands waving in front of me.

"Mariah sweetie...are you okay?"

I quickly snapped out of my thoughts and focused on dinner. Everyone was looking at me weird. Especially Sandra's daughter. Hmm...Have I seen her somewhere before? I think I have, but i can't remember where..

"Umm...Yeah. I'm fine. Just a little tired, that's all." I wasn't lying. I was tired. I haven't slept for days and I guess sleep decided to hit me now.

"So Sandra, how's the big promotion? Ya liking it?"

"Yes. But I have to do a lot of traveling and I don't want to leave my baby girl alone in the house by herself. I would leave her with the Nanny, but she still needs that mother figure around." Sandra looked over at her daughter, who at the moment looked like she was ready to throw a knife at someone.

"Mom, I can take care of myself. How many times do I have to tell you this?" she got up and headed straight for the restroom. I guess my mom sort of felt bad for Sandra. So she gave me a look that said she knew what to do.

"Um Sandra. Would it be too much if I watched her for you? It would be my pleasure. I'll make sure she gets all her assignments done, brushes her teeth before bed time..." My mom was rambling again. The lady likes to prove her point.

"Wait. You would really do that? Take my daughter in and treat her as if she was your own?" Sandra couldn't believe someone would be THIS generous. From the look on her face, it must've been a first.

"Well of course. I mean you've already done enough for me."

Wait, now that I think about it. I'm gonna have to share a room with this girl I hardly know. I know I'm antisocial and I can be a little on the mean side, but that's only because I've been hurt by so many people.

Sandra's daughter came back from the restroom and right when she sat down, her mother took her hands.

"Sweetie, Miss Gomez offered to take you in while I go on my business trips."

Uh oh...I don't think she liked the idea very much...well that makes two of us.