The Story of My Life
Chapter 1: New places and New Secrets
As the small drops of rain pelted the windshield it reminded of my first day I ever came to this place. I didn't even know what secrets were in store here. I used to be so innocent and ignorant. Now…I know the truth of the world. But I'm only writing this for one purpose. I'm writing so you don't have to be the one who suffers from ignorance. And this is the story of my life.
My parents and I drove down the deserted street, filled with tall houses-so close together all you had to do was reach out both windows and touch fingers-to find something I had been dreading for weeks. My grandparent's house. My parents were leaving me with my abnormal grandparents while they went on a vacation to China.
I immediately envied them as we approached the old Victorian style home. I never thought anything would suck more then leaving my school and friends for three months, but this definitely made me think otherwise. As we pulled into the driveway of the old Victorian home I spotted my unsmiling grandparents standing on the porch. There white hair and wrinkly, old, unsmiling, faces gave me a good idea of what would happen in the next couples weeks. I stepped out of the blue s.u.v., as it came to a stop, and studied the big house up close.
It was a faded blue with the trimmings made up in a dirty off white. It was three stories tall and looked about as old as my grandparents did. A tall white staircase led up to the front porch and to the set of wide front doors.
"Hello mom," my mother said stepping out of the car as well. Grandma Gretchen finally smiled.
"Hello dear, and Cameron," she said nodding her head slightly.
"Hi grandma," I said. Not even trying to cover my major disappointment of just being here.
"Your room is up the stairs, to the right, and all the way down the hall. Do you mind if I talk to your parents alone for a moment?" I shook my head and started for my room with my bags in hand. As I stepped inside the smell overwhelmed me. Cinnamon and vanilla. I loved it and for the first time in the whole trip I smiled.
Everything inside was made out of wood and almost every inch of the walls were covered in paintings of people unknown to me. They were mostly old people which gave me a weird feeling. As if they weren't real people. They were slightly scary and gave me the creeps.
I followed the unknown faces up the stairs and to the right to find a white door. The floor finally turning to new carpet made it difficult to roll my bags. Obviously mom had told them about my accidents trying to run out of my room with socks on tile. Well it wasn't my fault the stupid tile was so slippery.
The white door creaked open and revealed a light blue room with a huge bed in front of the door along with another door on the left side of it, along with a red wood bedside table and a window on the left wall. A white dresser sat in the corner making it look new compared to the old brown desk sitting next to it on the right wall. A window bench was covered in navy blue pillows.
I sat my bags down surprised at seeing any other color but brown. I glided around the room touching every surface within reach. I came to a stop at the door that leads to somewhere mysterious. I brushed my hand along the bronze door knob and slid the door open. A huge orange bathroom hid behind the door and made me feel small. Suddenly I didn't feel so bad about staying here anymore.
I heard my mother call. I turned around and found her staring at me with a smile on her face and my dad's arms around her.
"Is this ok?"
"Yeah…perfect," I lied closing the door behind me.
"Great, well your father and I have to go in order to make our flight, but here." She handed me a couple hundred dollars.
"What's this for?"
"You don't expect to have fun with your grandparents do you? Go have some fun. There's lot's of stuff to do around here. Even if it may not seem like it." I looked up at them. I loved my parents. They always knew what to say when I needed guidance. They were funny and screwed up a lot. They were good parents and I would miss them. I threw my arms around them.
"I'm going to miss you guys." I was afraid, at this point, that I would end up breaking my promise to myself. Don't cry, don't cry. They pulled away.
"Were going to miss you too sweetie…my parents aren't that bad." My mother smiled down at me.
"Honey don't worry about school either. The principal is an old business partner of mine and an old buddy from college." We all laughed.
"Bye sweetie."
"Were going to miss you." My dad said pulling my mom closer to him.
"Would you guys promise me one thing?"
"Sure sweetie," my dad answered.
"Don't worry, and have fun. You guys work so hard. You really need this break." My mom's eyes glazed over, and my dad relaxed slightly.
"Sure thing, sweetie." I hugged them one more time and walked them too the front door. They drove off without another word. I turned towards my unhappy grandparents again.
"Any rules to live by?" I asked feeling inferior as they stood above me on the front steps.
"Don't disturb us while we work, curfew is ten with acceptations, and no drinking or smoking at all."
"Fine by me." I started for the stairs. "I don't drink anyways." I mumbled opening the door to my new room. I shoved the money into my suitcase and sat down on the window bench. I sat down and heard a crunch of papers under me.
I picked up the white envelope and flipped it to find my name scrawled on the front. I ripped it open and pulled out a flimsy piece of lined paper.
Dear Cameron,
We love you and were sorry we can't take you with us- you need to stay in school. Make new friends here and don't be frightened, I grew up here. We'll try and call everyday. Please don't mind your grandparents, for they are nice people. They just get caught up in work. Also as a special treat I've done one thing. I unlocked the attic. It's empty so it's yours to use however you like it. If you ever get lonely think of us and remember one thing we love you.
Love mom and dad.
P.S. Maybe some cute boys live here. Don't tell your father.
I laughed lightly, but as far as I knew I didn't want to meet any other boys here. I folded the letter back up and put it back in the envelope. I held it close to my chest as if it held my parents close to me.
I finally opened my eyes and glanced out the window. My eyes widened with shock. I knew my grandparents were rich but I had no idea how much land they had. Even just by looking at it I wouldn't be able to estimate how much there was.
The backyard was filled with tall trees, making it look like a forest. The grass was tall and shaggy looking. It was almost sunset which made it look even more stunning. A small green light caught my eye. Looking at it closely made me realize there were lots of them. I smiled and backed away from the window. Fireflies.
I looked around my room silently. I didn't know anyone here so I knew the suitcase of ratty books were going to be spending a lot of time with me. That is if I don't have much homework. School starts tomorrow and all I had brought was two suitcases full of clothes and secretly stuffed with treasures. I wasn't looking forward to starting school again. I had never been the popular kid and my clothes weren't fancy and cluttered with labels. Maybe since it's a small town it won't matter? Ha! I wish.
My mind drifted to the letter with the words of encouragement from my parents. I suddenly remembered the empty attic. I put the letter down. I walked silently to the door and opened it slowly hoping it wouldn't creak. It didn't. I shut it silently behind me. The pale white wood walls made everything seem creepy and menacing. The light had started to dim in the house as well. I looked to my right and glanced at another window over looking the back yard. I dragged my eyes across the portrait covered walls finding another door I hadn't noticed earlier. It was a dull brown wood with a rusted metal doorknob covered in dust.
I bent down and blew on it. I pulled my jacket sleeve over my hand and wiped the rest of the dust off. I turned the door knob making it squeak in displeasure. Opening the door as quietly as possible I glanced to my right, making sure no one was there.
The door revealed a tall wooden staircase. I figured it led to the attic so I cautiously stepped inside shutting the door behind me with a loud creak. I knew I might get in trouble or something but I didn't mind. I felt as if I was in one of my mystery books, climbing a staircase to find a serial killer. But I knew this was a boring town so I walked a normal pace up the stairs.
I stopped at the top to find a musty room with one sliver of the fading sun peaking itself through the opened window. It was completely empty like my mom had said.
It was a big square room that looked like the giant living room back at home. I had no idea what I was going to do with all this space. I could set up my art stuff in here. I could put some chairs in here and make it a hideout to read. I could even do all of the above, with the amount of space in the room.
First thing is first though. It needs major cleaning. Maybe even some paint on the walls if they let me. I coughed finally choking on the musty dust filled air. I walked to the square window. It too over looked the back yard. I coughed again opening it. I stuck my head out for air. Although it didn't help for I lost my breath again.
Fireflies. There every where. Glowing bright green, and dancing around in the trees and on the lawn. They looked like glitter on a grey piece of paper.
I rushed down the stairs, ignoring there grunts of displeasure. I flung the door open and raced down the other set of stairs. I raced through the empty kitchen, and out the backdoor, the strange new picture reeling in my mind.
They were just as beautiful outside. They danced across the air, lightning up the darkening night sky. The tall trees glowed green as if glowing from within. I smiled almost as bright as they glowed, finally feeling confident this 'trip' wouldn't be that bad. I started twirling in circles, dancing beside them as they taught me how to feel free. Fireflies. They danced in front of my eyes, providing beauty and light to the darkening sky. They made me completely forget my first day here. Just like my first day when I was new back at home. Home. Adam flashed before my eyes and everything around me stopped.
I remembered the way Adam had made me feel. I blushed at my childish thoughts I had of him and walked back inside completely unaware of the fireflies still dancing without me. I slid in the back door. I stopped where I stood, my thoughts being taken again, to examine what I thought was the kitchen. It was. The wood cupboards and stainless steel counter tops with a granite covered island. It looked so modern and nice compared to the rest of the house that it surprised me.
I walked in running my hand over the smooth surface of the counter top, my eyes wide in awe. I turned around the island and straight across from the kitchen was obviously the dining room, which had French doors that were open. I walked back into the hall way and walked down it till I stopped at the front room which led from the front door out side. On both sides were two rooms, and closest to the wall was the staircase that led up stairs. I slowly walked to the room on the right, examining the fancy detail of woodwork I had missed, in my haste, before. The room didn't have a door, so I walked right in. Every inch was covered in papers filled with unreadable scribe. If it wasn't covered it wrinkly paper it was covered in dirty coffee mugs. Someone cleared there throat behind me. I turned to find my impatient looking grandma.
"You shouldn't be in here. It's our office."
"Ok," I said quietly and backed out of the room. I turned to the other room.
The brown door, to the room, was open so I just glanced in, just to make sure it wasn't forbidden.
This room was obviously a guest room. Having plain white sheets on the plain master bed, with plain white walls. I walked back into the hall. It was quite. Really quite, and I couldn't stand it, so I walked out through the front door and into the cloudy night. The fireflies weren't out front, and there wasn't as much light to lead me anywhere. The moon wasn't out. Not even the stars could be seen through the thick grey clouds. I walked back inside upset that I couldn't see the night sky.
Almost everything about the day had been horrible. I was tired and upset. I couldn't hold all the emotions running in my head any longer. My eyes watered and my vision blurred. I ran up stairs, into my room, and crashed onto the bed. I cried letting all this emotion out, and breaking my promise to myself. I always felt I had to hide my feelings, but now I didn't need to. I didn't want to. So I cried myself to sleep, hoping I wouldn't look horrible for school.
