Finally my long awaited short story.. I'm happy with it, being the first chapter.. Not Allllooottt happens but I think its kinda sweet. I hope you all enjoy it and yeah.. Read and review?
"Gabriella?"
I frowned, burying my face further in my knees, I was scared of who that might be. What if it was Kate?.. Kate's my sister by the way. She was scary! Ever since my parents left us she started hating me. I felt hated by everyone.. And now I was in this stupid place, with other people that hated me.. People that wanted to hurt me!
"Gabriella?.. Sweetie, its me.. Sarah"
Sarah. Sarah Malone, my counselor. She'd taken me away from my sister and brought me to this place.. I'll admit, I found it slightly more comforting than with my sister but I still didn't trust them. I heard her sigh a little, flinching when I felt my bed dip in "..Sweetie.. I have good news" She nodded "..We're getting you moved from California.. Away from your sister"
I frowned, looking up at her. Tears were permanently staining my cheeks nowadays "..Wh-What?" I squeaked
She frowned, keeping her hands in her lap. She knew that I didn't like being touched.. Last time she tried to touch me.. She ended up with a black eye. She smiled sympathetically at me "..We've got you a new house at Albuquerque.. And a new counselor"
"B-But.. I-I don't wanna move.. Wh-What if she finds me?" I say quietly
"She's not going to.. If she tries to get to you there the police will be in contact straight away.. And I found a really nice counselor"
"Wh-What if she's mean?"
"She.. Is a he" She nodded "..Don't get freaked out.. He wont hurt you, he knows what you've been through. Which is why I asked him to take you"
"I-I.." I didn't know what to say! She was sending me to a strange town.. A strange place.. With strange new people and a strange new counselor. But I knew Sarah wouldn't send me to someone that would hurt me.. Then again, my sister use to seem to care.. Then one day she just stopped.
I frowned, moving closer in the corner "..Trust me" She smiled "..He's the best in town"
I swallowed the lump in my throat. I was so scared! Frightened! Terrified!.. Petrified!.. Anything else you can think of.. I was it! I didn't wanna move to another town.. Or have to meet new people. Just imagine.. Being abused by your own family, you get a little scared meeting new people "..I-I wanna sleep" I whispered
"Okay sweetie.. That's fine" She smiled weakly, standing up "..Make sure your things are packed my Wednesday" She nodded, before heading out of the room
"Wednesday?" I mutter.. That.. That was two days from now!
I frowned, laying down on my very uncomfortable mattress. It was just on a metal frame with springs in the middle. What kid would wanna sleep on it?.. Maybe the new place had a better bed. I could try and think positive right?.. Well I tried, till I closed my eyes.. That's when I saw my sister, coming towards me.. It freaked me out! I screamed, sitting up quickly. Seeing her face frightened me so much, maybe leaving would be good
"Are you okay Gabi?" I heard Sarah's frantic voice
I nodded, looking down at my lap "..Ju-Just a bad dream" I whispered "..I'm sorry, I'll keep it down"
"Its okay.." She smiled "..Try and relax"
I frowned and nodded, laying back down. I sighed, squeezing my eyes shut, feeling more tears threatening to fall. I hated my life, I always seemed to have nightmares, even when I wasn't sleeping. Sometimes it happened while I was eating, if I zoned out I saw my sister hitting me.. Or if I dozed in a group counsel session, sometimes I saw my parents.. The people that left my sister and I. They ruined my life, in more ways than anyone could imagine.
The next two days went quicker than I ever expected. It felt like I blinked and Wednesday was on my doorstep. I frowned, zipping my suitcase up.. My one suitcase that I had, holding all the belongings I owned. I had five sets of clothing, one pair of shoes and a locket. With a picture of my, once happy, family. My parents engraved the words We'll Always Love You On the back and gave it to me on my sixteenth birthday.. The morning of the day my whole life changed
I woke up, excited.. What teenage girl wouldn't be excited on their birthday? Running into my parents room I jumped on their bed to wake them up. I had done since I was about three. I wasn't planning on changing tradition! I smiled, laying between them, looking between the sleeping adults
"Mum!" I smiled, shaking her shoulder lightly. All I got was a groan, before she rolled over. I frowned, looking over at my Dad "..Daddy! Its your little princess.. Guess what day it is?" I said excitedly
"Mmm.. Gabi, we're tired" He mumbled "..We were up late"
"Is that the noise I could hear?"
"Maybe.. I think that was the neighbors"
"Ohhhh" I nodded "..When do I get my present?" I smiled
"Soon baby girl" I heard my mothers muffled voice "..Just give us a minute to wake up"
"Okay Mumma" I smiled, before I got up, climbing over my Dad to run out of their room. I smiled, walking into my sisters room "..Stell?" I smiled, my sister Stella.. She's pretty awesome.. And nice! We're like twins.. From looks to personality no joke we're the same
"What Gabs?" She mumbled
"Wake up!" I smiled "..Guess who's turned sweet sixteen as of five thirty this morning!" I giggled
She smiled, sitting up "..Come here baby sis!"
I laughed, running over and hugging her "..I'm so excited!"
"Me too! I've been waiting for this day for sixteen years!" She smiled "..I got you a present!"
"Yay!" I laughed, pulling away so she could lean over the side of her bed. I smiled, watching her pull out a big bag "..Stell! Its massive!"
"Open it!" She laughed, handing the bag to me
I smiled, looking in the bag "..Ripped off!" I laughed, pulling a stack of scrunched up pieces of newspapers out "..Theres nothing in here!"
"Yeah there is" She laughed
"Oh wait.. Here it is!" I giggled, pulling a picture frame out
"Now, I know its not big.. But its something you said you didn't have" She smiled
I smiled, looking at the picture in the frame "..Stell.. I love it!" I smiled.. It was just a picture of Stella and I. Which she was right, I said I didn't have it
"Really?" She smiled
"Really! Thank you!" I smiled, putting the photo down carefully before I leaned over, hugging her
"Your welcome!" She smiled, hugging me back
I giggled "..I love you Stell"
That was the last happy day of my life. And honestly? I'd felt so depressed and unwanted after that day that, I don't think I'd ever be able to cheer up. I was just hoping that a fresh start would be good for me.. Theres always gotta be a spark of hope left in everyone. If you didn't have hope then what would you have?
"Gabriella?.. Sweetie, the cars waiting" I heard Sarah say
I looked up from the end of my bed, standing up before I grabbed my suitcase "..I'm ready" I whispered
She smiled weakly, holding the door open for me. I followed her out of the room, passing all the other kids rooms on the way. I'll admit for a communal house the kids here were really nice, I guess we'd all been through similar things. Some of the kids got along, others were like me and hardly spoke.. Hardly left our room. They made us do some stupid class.. You know the ones? 'I'm Gabriella Montez and my parents left my sister and I to fend for ourselves so she decided to take it out on me' .. Yeah, those classes. Every Monday and Wednesday we'd sit in a circle. In a beige colored room, talking about our problems.. Honestly? I didn't want to talk about it.. So it didn't really help. It just made everything worse
"Bye Sarah.. Thank you for everything" I nodded, getting in the car. I may have been quiet but I wasn't rude
"Your welcome Gabi.. I'll be calling to check up on you.. Make sure you got there alright" She smiled
I smiled very weakly, I couldn't smile properly anymore. It was like my smile was broken "..Thank you"
"Your welcome.. Have a good flight" She smiled, hesitantly squeezing my shoulder. I jumped a little, my arm flinching slightly. Surprisingly it didn't raise much above resting off my leg "..Honey.. You didn't hit me"
"I-I guess that means.." What did it mean?
"Maybe you've got a little trust left in you" She smiled "..I knew you would"
"Thank you so much Sarah.. I-I'll miss you"
"I'll miss you too sweetheart.. Everything's going to be okay" She smiled, standing up properly
I nodded, before the car started driving off. I looked back a little, smiling weakly again when I saw Sarah waving, I waved back before turning in my seat properly
I breathed deeply, heading into the packed airport. I'd officially landed in New Mexico and to say I was terrified would be an understatement
I walked over to a man, seeing him hold a sign saying 'Gabi' "..I-Is that meant to be Gabriella Montez?" I asked timidly
"It sure is" He smiled "..Troy" He stuck his hand out, causing me to flinch a little. His eyes widened before his hand was quickly back at his side "..I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you"
"I-Its okay" I nodded
"So you're the gorgeous Gabriella that Sarah's told me so much about?" He smiled
"I'm Gabriella" I nodded
His smile faltered a little "..Well your gorgeous.. And I don't believe I get to counsel someone as beautiful as you"
"Why are you being so nice to me?" I questioned "..You know my name.. That's it"
"Ahh but I know a lot more than you think.. I have to if I wanna work with you" He smiled "..Your case interested me.. I know what you've been through and I wanted to help"
"No one kn-"
"Knows what you've been through?.. I use to think that when I was your age.. Then I found a great counselor"
"What did you need a counselor for?" I frowned
"How about we go grab a coffee and talk about this?"
"O-Okay.. Shouldn't I be getting to the house though?.. They'll be wondering where I am"
"Its okay.. I know the house owner" He smiled
The car ride was surprisingly conversational. Troy was making the effort to ask me questions, even if he knew the answers. Or even if I didn't answer?.. He just moved onto a different topic. It was nice not being pushed into talking. I hesitantly took my belt off as we pulled up in the main street. I had to admit, I was kind of afraid that my sister was gunna run up and take me away or something. I sighed, getting out of the car, closing the door softly
"This is my favourite coffee shop in the world" I heard Troy say, heading around to my side of the Black A5 Audi. He flashed a smiled, locking the car "..Ready?"
I nodded silently, following him into the dimly lit, quiet coffee shop. It was a dark chocolaty brown color, with pot plants all around, seats that matched the walls and the counter.
"Go sit down and I'll grab us a drink each" Troy smiled, grabbing my wallet out of the pocket of his jeans
"I-I don't have any money" I say quietly
"Don't be silly.. Its my shout" He laughed
"Oh no.. I cant let you do that" I shook my head "..I'll be fine"
"Okay" He nodded "..I'll be right back.. Find us a seat" He smiled, before he walked over to the counter
I nodded, going and finding a seat in the corner. There were very few in the coffee shop, but I still felt overwhelmed, I didn't really like being around a lot of people. The only time I was around more than one person?.. Was usually in my therapy class. And back at the airport, but I'm a good actress. I can hide some of these things
I looked around my surroundings, scratching at my wrist a little, I'd always scratched if I was nervous. Even when I was little, it'd gotten slightly worse after everything with my parents, but that's only cause my nerves were raised.
I jumped a little when Troy sat down, my hand flying to my locket. I'd put it on during the flight, no matter how much I resented my parents for giving up on us I still loved them in a way "..Sorry.. I don't like that I keep scaring you"
"Its okay.. I'm a very jumpy person" I nodded "..What's this?" I ask, as he sat a drink in front of me
"Mango smoothie.." He replied "..I wasn't taking no for an answer.." He smiled "..And I wasn't sure what coffee you liked but.. I smelt your perfume before and assumed you liked mangoes" He explained "..I hope its okay"
I smiled weakly "..I love mangoes" I nodded
"Good" He laughed "..Better than coffee?"
"A little" I nodded, taking a small sip of the cold liquid. I smiled a little, tasting the mango in the drink "..Okay, a lot"
He chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee "I'm glad," He smiled "..Now, just quickly.. Do you want a shared room?.. Or are you more comfortable staying by yourself?"
"By myself please" I whispered
"That's fine" He smiled
"Shouldn't the house director be organizing this?"
"Just take a wild guess at who that would be" He smiled
"Its you?"
"And she gets it in one!" He laughed
I bit my lip, scratching my arm "..So do you stay there?"
"Would you feel comfortable if I did?" He asked seriously
I thought about it for a second, before I nodded slowly "..I think your really nice"
"Well that's what I love to hear" He smiled "..Now, I believe you wanted to know about my story?"
"I-If that's okay" I nodded
"Of course it is.. I've come to terms with everything that happened and I believe that everything in life happens for a reason.." He nodded "..So I have no problem in telling you my story" He smiled
"Thank you" I nodded, I guess I found it a bit of a comfort knowing something about him
"Well, it started when I was about.. Twelve" He nodded, spinning the half empty coffee cup between his hands. I could tell he was slightly nervous, noticing the serious look on his face I knew this was still a touchy subject, but one he was brave enough to share "..My twelfth birthday actually.." He laughed lightly, his bright blue eyes turning into a shady blue "..My Mum and Dad had been fighting a lot the previous weeks.. Just over petty stuff, mainly my Mums drinking" He nodded, swallowing a mouthful of the Luke warm liquid
"Did she drink a lot?" I asked quietly
"She drank usually on the weekends.. Or sometimes weeknights.. It depended on her mood.." He nodded "..But in the end it got worse.. She was drinking every night" He sighed "..Not to the point that she'd become drunk.. But still, the house was full of alcohol bottles and.. She smelt of alcohol all the time"
I nodded silently, taking a sip of my smoothie. I watched him turning from a happy, bright person into someone who regretted some things in life "..You don't have to keep going" I whispered
"No, no" He smiled, scratching the back of his neck "..I want to.. It just.. I know that you've been through something similar, I know what it feels like and.. It makes me feel terrible" He admitted
"You don't have to feel terrible.. My sister should"
"I totally agree, but.. I don't like knowing that someone feels the way I use to. I can tell you that it will get better.. And I know that from experience.." He nodded "..You just have to keep your chin up"
I nodded "You know I'm gunna say that.. Right now I doubt it.. But I guess.. I kinda believe you, I have a little bit of hope"
"You'll always have that little bit of hope" He smiled
I nodded "..Anyway, what happened with your Mum?"
"Well after her drinking got worse.. Her and Dads fights escalated" He nodded "..They were louder, they fought for longer and the house was tense a lot more" He frowned "..Then one day Dad just gave up, he packed his bags early in the morning and chucked them in his car.. Went back to sleep and woke up like everything was normal"
I frowned, seeing tears building in his eyes. He was obviously closer to his Dad as a kid, I reached over the table slowly, grabbing his hand in comfort, squeezing it lightly. It was weird, I never made the first move to touch someone.. I never usually comforted them. But I knew he needed it, I felt kind of drawn to help him like he was trying to help me
He smiled weakly, squeezing my hand lightly back "..H-He umm.." He got out, his voice shaky "..He went to work and.. N-Never came back.. The last thing he said to me was 'Happy birthday Mate.. I'll always love you'.. And I never heard anything else"
I frowned, before I leaned over and wiped away the single tear that had rolled down his cheek "..I'm sorry" I whispered, I felt my heart breaking seeing him looking so sad and upset. In the time that it took to drive from the airport to the coffee shop I knew that we'd connected in a way. We'd both been through the same thing, seen and felt the same things. And I felt like he knew me.. Better than anyone else.
"Its okay.. Its not your fault so you shouldn't feel to blame" He smiled weakly
I let go of his hand gently before I moved my chair over quietly, hugging him softly "..You shouldn't feel sorry for me.. But I know you do" I whispered
He smiled, hugging me back "..Thank you Gabi"
"Your welcome Troy" I whispered
I had a feeling that maybe Albuquerque wasn't going to be too bad
What did you guys think?.. Good enough to continue?.. I kinda wanted them to be close from the beginning. But yeah I need to know what you guys think.. Whether its good enough to continue and yeah.. Make sure you review.. Thanks