A/N: Hey everyone I am back with the second update for this story. Just a heads, up I am hoping to update periodically through the week, but work comes first so there will be days where I cannot upload. I will try to make a schedule for you of when I will update more permanently so be on the lookout that. Another thing is please feel free to leave a review at the end to let me know how you are liking the story. Your comments mean a lot to me. Thanks!

Now on the with the next chapter of New City, New Friends...


Chapter 2- Newfound Friends

The next morning after a peaceful nights rest, AJ and her mother were up bright and early unpacking the boxes that the movers didn't touch. Erica and Seth were also on their way to help and AJ wasn't too happy about that. For the past four years ever since Erica left for college, AJ's parents were giving AJ all of the attention and parenting that she had always wanted. They focused on her schooling, soccer endeavors, and even stepped in when she under attack by some school bullies. However now that Erica was back in their lives on a more permanent basis, AJ could feel herself becoming the invisible child once again. All her mother could take about that morning was Erica and her engagement.

"I still can't believe that your sister is getting married," Cindy said out loud as she and AJ unpacked the living room together. "I mean I had a feeling that those two would eventually tie the knot, but now that it's official, I am so excited even though there is so much to do. We have to find a venue, get all the dresses and tuxes, and…"

"Jeez mom calm down and take a breath will you," AJ said rolling her eyes. "They barely got engaged and it's not like they're getting married tomorrow. Besides, don't you think that they are moving just a little too fast?"

Cindy shook her head and chuckled, "No not at all dear. Anything can happen when it comes to true love. There is no time frame. One minute you can be walking along when all of a sudden, boom it hits you like a ton of bricks. That's the way that things happened between your father and I. We met, fell madly in love, were married within a year, and had your sister about a year later. But I don't expect you to understand this. You haven't met that someone special yet and it will be years before you."

"Yeah you are right about that," AJ said knowing that she wasn't looking to get into any relationships just yet. Besides, all of this love talk was gross and was making her gag a little. She just wanted this conversation to end already.

Thankfully her prayers were answered when the front door opened and Erica and Seth walked in. "Hey mom, April, how's it going?" Erica asked handing out hugs to them.

"Oh, it's going okay. We managed to get a lot done with morning before your father had to run out to check out his new office building," Cindy told her daughter.

"Okay well we are here to help you with the rest, so where do you want us to start?" Erica asked looking around at all of the boxes that were scattered throughout the house.

"Let's go start in the kitchen. I'm sure that April and Seth can pick up where I left off. Right, you two?" both AJ and Seth nodded their heads, so Erica and Cindy left them to it.

Within seconds of being left alone, things got very awkward between Seth and AJ. They really didn't know each other very well and only saw each other in passing when he came to visit with Erica. However, Seth was determined to get to know his soon to be sister in law better and he knew exactly how to do it. "So umm…Erica tells me that you play soccer, is that right?" he asked her hoping this would get her to talk to him.

AJ nodded her head and was a little taken back that he was talking to her. She assumed that he didn't like her since they never really talked before. "Yeah that's right," she then told him. "I started my sophomore year. My parents thought it would be a great way to build self-esteem and make new friends."

"That's cool, so was your team any good?" Seth then asked.

"Yeah I guess if you count the back to back state championships that we won," AJ smirked. "Not to mention that you are looking at last year's player of the year."

Seth just chuckled at the small cockiness, "Alright there tiger calm down. I do like your confidence though it tells me a lot about you. But the real question here is, have you thought about joining a team out here?"

AJ just shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know, maybe. Why do you ask?" She had no idea where this conversation was going and why he was asking all of these questions.

"Well I only ask because other than running my own gym, I also coach the local high school girl's soccer team in my spare time. We down one player this year and I would love it if you would join us," Seth told her asking that she would take him up on his offer.

AJ was a little taken back by Seth's offer. In all honesty, she wasn't even thinking about playing soccer this year with being in a new city and adjusting to new school. Yes, it could lead to her getting a scholarship for college, but her heart just wasn't in it anymore. "Umm…as much as I want to say yes Seth, I can't. I think I just want to focus on settling into a new school and this city. Thanks for asking and for thinking of me, though," she said hoping that he wasn't too disappointed with her answer.

"Oh that's fine, don't worry about it kid," Seth told her with a smile and gave her a little smile even though he was a little bummed that she turned him down. "The offer still stands and at any point, if you need anything at school, just let me know. We are going to be family soon and family always sticks together."

"Thanks, Seth I really do appreciate it. Anyways if you don't mind, I think I am going to take a break. Do you think you can manage the rest?" AJ asked Seth now that the ice in the room melted between the two.

"Yeah, that's fine go right ahead. There is a park about a block away from here that's usually filled with kids your age. Why don't you go check it out? I got everything covered here," Seth winked at her before AJ nodded and took off out of the house.


About ten minutes later and just like Seth suggested, AJ found the park that he was talking about. It was fairly big and a lot of elementary school kids were playing on the playground that was there. There wasn't a lot of kids her age though except for a group of three girls that were sitting under a large oak tree. Needing to cross the street, AJ made sure to look both ways before crossing the street. However, the once all clear street turned almost chaotic when a motorcyclist came flying out of nowhere. AJ barely managed to jump out of the way before the motorcycle, with a lightning bolt and the Chicago stars on it, blew past her. The stupid idiot didn't even stop to check if she was okay or to apologize. Thankfully for AJ, the trio of girls that she saw came rushing over to her.

"Oh my god are you okay?" the blonde girl asked her in a concerning voice.

"Yeah I'm fine," AJ said trying to wrap her mind around what happened. "That idiot was even looking where he was going."
The black-haired and a pale girl just sighed and with a British accent said, "Yeah well that's a motorcyclist for you. All they care about is going fast and looking cool. I'm Paige by the way."

"And I'm Renee," the blonde one then replied.

"And I'm Bayley," the third girl spoke up before she wrapped AJ into a big hug.

At first, AJ was a little stunned by the girl's actions but then she laughed it off and hugged Bayley back, "Hello Renee, Paige, and Bayley. I'm AJ. I just moved in around the corner from here."

"Oh okay, that's why I didn't recognize you," Renee told her as they went to go sit down back under the oak tree. "So where are you from if you don't mind me asking?"

AJ just smiled, "It's fine and I'm from New Jersey. My family moved here to be closer to my sister and to our other family. Are you guys from around here too?"

Bayley shook her head, "No actually we're not. I'm from California, Renee is from Canada, and Paige is from England if you couldn't tell by her accent."

"That's cool so are you guys going to that high school a couple blocks over?" AJ then asked hoping that they were so she had some familiar faces to talk to.

"Yeah, we all start our senior year tomorrow. It's going to be a blast. I can't wait for all of the senior activities that they have planned for us. What about you AJ?" Renee then asked her.

AJ smiled and said, "Yeah I'll be a senior too but it's kind of bittersweet for me. I'm excited to be graduated, I just thought that it would be with my friends back in Jersey.

Again being the hugger, Bayley leaned over and wrapped her arm around AJ's shoulders, "It's okay AJ we feel your pain. We all felt that way too when we moved here for the first time too. But don't you worry because you have us now and we will show you the ropes when we get to school tomorrow. It will be a great year for all of us."

"Bayley is right AJ. Being the new kid is hard, but all you can do is smile and just push forward. Great things can happen and will happen this year, I can fill it," Paige smirked making AJ fill at ease.

For the next twenty minutes or so, the newfound friends began talking about things that they had in common and learn a bit more about each other. AJ was surprised by how quickly she took to the girls considering that AJ sometimes found it hard to make friends. However, with Renee, Paige, and Bayley, AJ found it easy to talk to them and felt comfortable with them.


I wonder who is there and by their tone, it doesn't look good. Also, that damn motorcyclist almost ran over our beloved AJ. Who was that anyway?

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