A/N: Wah...I wasn't going to update today well, technically its tomorrow now. I seen that I had some reviews and I give my thanks to those that chose to review, that makes me update that much faster (because I get really excited that people are actually reading this). Saying that, leads me to why I'm updating this story at...4:18 in the morning. I started writing earlier but I turn into a perfectionist and thus, this happens. If there are any typos in this I swear...nvm, it would just really tick me off. But if there are, point them out! Seriously. Anyways, happy reading. Hope this isn't moving to slow for ya'll ;]
Chapter 2
-Friends and Enemies-
Stepping out of the Duarte's SUV and closing the door I gazed at the rather large house I would be living in. The house itself was nice, with a manicured yard with an abundance of flowers. My new house was surrounded by others like it, all with enormous beautifully tended yards. It almost felt like they were all in competition with one another. And of course if it were a competition, the Duarte's yard would be on top. Hearing the other doors slam I turn around to follow Jose and Alison into their home, followed by a still fuming Madison.
After her comment getting into the car her mother had told her in a stern tone to be more polite and had given her a lecture. The rest of the car ride here was in moderate silence with Madison glaring at me every few minutes making it clear she blamed me for getting into trouble. Jose and Alison would make conversation with me every now and then, which I would respond by giving them kind nods and simple answers to their questions.
Once the door to the house was opened Madison made a bee line around us and up the stairs to the left of the entrance. Moments later I could hear a door slam, the remaining Duarte's flinched and gave me apologetic smiles.
"Would you like a tour of the house Spencer?" Alison asks while watching me cautiously.
"Yeah that would be great, by the way I couldn't help but notice your yard, it's gorgeous!" I figure it wouldn't hurt to get in this woman's good graces' seeing as the only other girl in the house already hates me.
"Oh thank you! I put so much time into them and those two-" She indicates to Madison who was upstairs already and her husband who had quietly left the room "-take no notice in the things I do around here". She rolls her eyes but has a sincere smile on her lips. Clearly those flowers were her pride and joy. Good call self.
I give her a smile before following her into the first room to my left, which turns out to be the kitchen. We meander through the rest of the house with Alison telling me to make myself right at home, just don't go in Jose's office. Speaking of Jose he was already in there on the phone speaking about something that sounded important.
We quickly continued the tour to my room. It was upstairs across the hall from the only closed door on the 2ed floor. The bathroom was the door to the left of my room. I'm guessing I will be sharing that with Madison and I'll have to put up a fight to use it by the way she's been acting. I assumed the closed door was Madison's room, one, because of the closed door and two, because there was dance music pounding out from it. It didn't take a genius to figure out she was having an immature tantrum.
I rolled my eyes trying to be discreet but Alison caught me and just laughs before opening the door to my room and leaving me alone. She says she'll call up to us when lunch is ready, though I doubt Madison will hear her. Oh well her loss.
Standing in my new room I find a note with an envelope on the nightstand next to the queen bed they so graciously put in here for me.
"Spencer, we know you won't have a lot of things with you so here's something to help get you started. In the envelope is a credit card with your name on it. You have a 500 dollar limit. Get some school clothes and maybe something for your room, you can decorate it however you want!"
~Alison
I smile, setting the not back down and picking up the envelope and opening it. Out slips the card she mentioned. Placing it back on the small table I remind myself to say thank you later, I know most foster kids aren't this lucky when being placed in a new home.
I collapse onto the bed with my feet dangling off the side and close my eyes. I wonder what my family is doing right now, if they're missing me or if they even know I'm gone. Just thinking about this whole universe swap thing is giving me a head ach so I distract myself by looking at the ceiling. Spacing out I recall something ironic.
Flashback:
"Morning Spence!" Glen said excitedly to me as I walked down the stairs. I give him a strange look before heading towards the kitchen. I hesitate as I hear the front door close to my right then keep moving.
"Hey Spencer, Glen tell you the big news yet?" My mother asks as I sit down on a stool by the counter.
"Mom, I just got up like 5 seconds ago the most Glen said was Morning before he went running out the front door" I say giving her a look to which she laughs at.
"Where's dad at?" He's usually in the kitchen making breakfast but he seems to be MIA today.
"About that…He left early for work" I nod to her before getting up to pour myself a bowl of cereal.
"Anyways Spence, your father and I have been talking. You remember how I was offered that job in L.A. last week?" I nod my head again, thinking I know where this is going.
"Well we decided that I should take it! That is, if it's ok with you Glen, and Clay. Glen and Clay already said it was now it's just up to you Spencer" She's pouting and giving me puppy dog eyes. Against my better judgment, being conned with the classic Carlin look that I use often too, I couldn't help but agree with Glen and Clay. Distractedly I wonder if she used the look on my brothers who always fall for it when I give them the same look.
Despite not wanting to move across the country just for my mom's job and leaving all my friends, I decided to do what was probably best. Even if I regret it all the way there, if it makes my family happy then I'll go along with it. So I give her a nod and say it's cool with me if it's cool with Glen and Clay.
Bursting with joy my mom walks over to me and engulfs me in a suffocating hug kissing the top of my head in the process. Stepping away, she goes to leave the kitchen before stopping and looking back at me.
"Thank you so much Spencer, your father should be home in a bit. He left early this morning to quit his job since he was able to find a new one in L.A. as well". I continue eating my cereal absorbing this new information, feeling a little let down since I was the last one to know about all this.
"I have to go to work now, last day and all that. See you when I get home?" She asks before leaving the house. I give her a small wave as she makes her way out.
Eating my cereal, I try to find positive things about moving to L.A.
End Flashback.
I briefly wonder if the voice in the darkness purposely put me here or if it was just a coincidence. Shrugging it off I decide to leave the confines of my room and make my way downstairs.
I pause at the pictures on the stairway of the foster family I'm living with. Many of the pictures are of Madison as she grew up throughout the years. Others are of relatives. I look at one family photo of the three Duarte's. They're on the beach with the wind blowing their hair in random directions. Jose with his dark hair and bright smile is looking at Alison, who in turn with her reddish brown hair is looking at Madison who looks to be enjoying herself with a slight smile on her face.
Shaking off the pictures of the happy family serving only to remind me of my own, I make my way to the kitchen to see if I can help with lunch. I know Alison told me she'd tell me when it was done but I could use something to distract myself with. If helping in the kitchen is what that is then I might as well give it a shot.
It was Saturday when I arrived at the Duarte's. The weekend passed by relatively quickly. I was to start school on Monday where I was told Madison would be my chauffeur to school. If I wanted a ride home I would have to take the bus or wait for her to finish cheerleading practice.
Sunday Alison took me out shopping so I could buy some school clothes. Even though I had a 500 dollar limit, Alison ended up buying me more clothes after I hit my mark. She explained it was nice to go out shopping with someone because Madison refused to go with her anymore. So if I ever wanted to go out she told me to just make a day and we'd go.
For most of the weekend I didn't even see Madison or her father. Jose was always in his office doing something or another while Madison just chose to ignore or avoid me.
Pulling up to the school with Madison, she parks then shuts off the car but doesn't move to get out. Glancing over to her I see her staring intently at me with a blank look.
"Look, when were at school don't bother talking to me okay? And I DON'T want to hear about anything that goes on at home floating around the school. You got me chica?" I raise an eyebrow at her before taking off my seat belt. When I go to open my door she reaches out and grabs my arm.
"I said-"
"Okay yes, I got you 'chica'" I say using air quotes, or doing the best job I can at using them since she's still holding my arm. She drops my arm. Rolling her eyes she gets out of the car and makes her way over to some girls in cheerleading uniforms. I get out of the car and start walking towards my new prison, otherwise known as King High.
The first few classes I had were uneventful, each teacher introducing me to the class then asking me to sit down. The students weren't particularly talkative; at most a few introduced themselves or gave nods to my direction as I sat.
Leaving my third class of the day I attempted to find my locker, the books each teacher had given me were piling up. Just as I was about to reach my new locker a shoulder bumped mine causing my books to go flying.
"Oh dam, I'm SO sorry about that…" a dark haired boy said bending down to help me pick up my books. Taking one last look at the ground to make sure I had them all I stood up. Placing the last book from the ground in my arms he spoke again.
"I really am sorry; I totally wasn't watching where I was going. I didn't hurt you or anything…did I?" He asks with an innocent look while glancing at the ground. I begin to laugh; he just nocked my books out of my arms. It's not as if he slammed me against a locker.
"No I'm fine, thanks for helping me pick them up" I give him a genuine smile. He laughs after that looking relieved.
"Good, some girls flip out when that kinda stuff happens so I worry that I hurt them somehow. I don't remember seeing you around here, are you new?" Wow way to be subtle.
"Uhh, yeah I just uhm, moved here." I struggle to get out remembering what Madison said earlier. Seeing as how I don't want to get on her bad side, anymore then I already have, I don't bring up the whole fostering thing just in case that counts.
"I'm Spencer" I hold out my hand which he happily takes.
"Aiden, nice to meet you Spencer" He stands there for a moment after our introductions to each other waiting for me as I put the books that were knocked to the floor in my locker. I pull out my schedule to see where my next class is. Peering around Aiden I look up and down the hallway trying to figure out which way to go. I feel my schedule pulled from my hands and look to find it in Aiden's.
"Honors history huh? Come on, I'll walk you there. My class is across the hall from it" He adds quickly before handing me back the sheet of paper. I bump my shoulder into his to get us going. He's smiling again but that's fine. I think I might have just made a new friend.
Or not.
I can see Madison off to the side walking towards us as we make our way to my next class. While passing me she stiff arms me in the side.
"Watch it bitch" she says while sneering and continuing down the hall.
"Ugh, sorry about that" Aiden said looking at the binder in his arms sheepishly.
"What do you mean? You know her" I ask because I thought Madison did that just because that's how she is.
"Yeah…we used to date. I broke up with her a few weeks ago…"
"Oh…well, don't worry about it. I think you made a good decision" I tell him trying to lighten the mood and giving him slight smile. We continue the rest of the way to our next classes in a pleasant silence. Parting we say our goodbyes and I head into history.
I don't see Aiden again till lunch. Stepping out onto the quad I spot him waving me over to his table. I take my brown bag and set it next to his. Sitting down next to him he's already introducing me to the other occupants sharing this table.
"That's Chelsea next to you, then you have Sean, her boyfriend" He says giving both of them a toothy grin which they roll their eyes to before he moves on.
"The blond haired ugly kid-"He gets a kick under the table causing him to laugh "-that's Mike, and the guy next to him is Brian". Brian has dark brown hair and is a fairly good looking kid. At that moment a strawberry blond haired girl in a cheerleading uniform stride's up behind him placing a kiss on his neck before sitting next to him.
"And that's Tiffany, Brian's girlfriend" Aiden says making a kissy face which causes Brian to turn bright red and throw one of his French fries at him.
After introductions everyone is staring at me. I realize that I haven't introduced myself yet and neither has Aiden.
"Hey everyone, I'm Spencer. Nice to meet you all" I look around the table giving them a slight nod and smile.
Chelsea's the first to speak up. "It's nice to meet you too Spencer, don't mind them they're just being weirdoes" She smiles before turning back to her food. I'm assuming the weirdo's statement is because Aiden and Mike were staring at me until Chelsea said something.
Glancing between the two I turn back to Aiden who feels like the safer choice to talk to since Chelsea is talking with Sean.
"So Aiden, tell me a little about L.A."
He starts into a long winded rant about all the cool things to do here, including a club called Grey which everyone frequents and about how great the beaches are. I smile and nod at everything he says while attempting to eat my food.
Mike jumps into the conversation as Aiden catches his breath from his speech.
"So Spencer, where you from?" it's an innocent enough question so I decide to answer truthfully. What would be the point in lying?
"I'm from Ohio, just got here a few days ago" I grimace thinking about the double meaning in my words.
"Oh really? My aunt lives in Ohio. What you move here for, to get away from all that snow she complains about?" it was Sean who spoke in a humorous tone interrupting whatever mike was going to say next. This time I can't answer so truthfully, taking time I choose my words carefully.
"Uhh, well…I guess it's just how things worked themselves out. I'm in foster care and ended up getting moved here over time…" I look back down at my lunch avoid their stares. Not just because it's sad and all that, but because I'm a horrible liar and my eyes give me away every time I try.
"Ahem… Aiden, when is the big move happening?" Chelsea says breaking up the awkward silence that had settled over the table by changing the subject. Happy for the interruption Aiden turns on his thousand watt smile and looks at her.
"The girls will be here this weekend, were throwing a little surprise party this Sunday if you all want to come!" While Aiden sounds giddy, I can't help but be confused as to what they're talking about. It must have shown on my face because a second later Aiden elaborates.
"My dad is getting remarried, and his Fiancé and her two daughters are moving in this weekend" he sounds happy so I'm assuming it's a welcomed thing for him that a new family is moving into his house.
"Oh that's cool, have you met them yet?" I ask genuinely curious.
"Yeah, every other weekend my dad and I drive down to San Diego to see them. Last week we even helped them pack" I laugh a little with the rest of the table because Aiden sounds so proud of himself, beaming like a little kid would after accomplishing something small.
"That's great to hear Aid, I hope it goes well" I reply before going to stand up and throw my trash away. When get back to the table and proceed to sit down the bell rings. Collecting myself I get ready to leave with a few waves to the kids I just met. Aiden offers to walk me to my next class and I accept, because I'm still having trouble just finding my way to the bathroom in this place. Schools should NOT be this big.
"Oh yeah, Spencer" He stops me as we reach my classroom.
"When I invited everyone to that welcome home party, I meant you too. So don't be a stranger!" I smile and give him a slight side hug. I've been feeling a little down since the topic at lunch came up and I appreciate his kindness.
"Besides, when Kyle and Ashley get here they'll be in the same spot your in being the new girl and all. It would be cool if you could all be friends" He says before heading down the hall to find his own class.
I step into my next class taking a seat by the window. I rest my head on my hand and look out over the campus. Strangely enough, I find myself looking forward to this weekend. Maybe he's right, while I'm here in this new world I might as well make some good friends. I mean, it wouldn't hurt would it?
A/N: Ooo, next chapter get to meet Ashley :P Hope the suspense isn't killer.