"Good morning Aislyn" mom said as I walked into the kitchen. She was pouring coffee into dad's cup. As I took my usual seat mom put a plate full of bacon and eggs and a piece of toast in front of me. Something seemed off this morning.
"So, you father and I was talking… Aislyn, I know these past few weeks have been hard for you. It has been hard for us all. And being around here might be making things a lot more difficult for you. Aislyn, we think you should get away from here for a few months. Till everything it all cleaned up. I don't want you to have to be in a school that reminds you of all the loss. Also, there is a psychiatrist in Cleveland that your dad thinks might be able to help you. Her name is Dr. Roberts."
"Why? You don't think it would be harder for me being away from the 2 friends I have left here?" I said. Why would she do this to me!
"Aislyn I'm sorry but all the arrangements have already been made. My assistant has already registered you at Cleveland high school. You start next Monday." Dad said as he continued to write his news article he was working on.
"So I don't even have a say in this!" I said. Without waiting for the answer I walked away. I knew I wasn't going to change their minds.
Packing was one of the hardest things I could do.
I called Angel and told her I was moving. That didn't go over so well. I felt like I was abandoning my best friend. The only person I had left.
I met up with Angel and Kyle to say my goodbyes.
"I'm sorry! I wish I could stay here with you guys. Buy my parents are forcing me. it sucks guys" I said.
"It's okay Ais. As long as you have computer access and a phone, I'm fine." Angel said. "I'll come visit you some time!"
My dad pulled up in front of Starbucks. I gave my last hugs and said my last goodbyes to my best friends.
The drive to my dads house was only 4.5 hours, but it felt like a life time. The neighbourhood that my dad lived in was somewhat similar to the neighbourhood I lived in. Just… bigger. More populated. He moved since the last time I was here. He used to live in a bungalow with only 2 bedrooms and one bathroom. But the last time I was here was at least 5 years ago. Maybe less. Now, he lived in a 2 story house. His old house was the size of the garage.
"Well, this is it." Dad said as we got out of the car. "You can have any room you want. Except for mine."
He grabbed all my bags, with my help of course, and we headed into the house.
His house was gorgeous! He gave me a tour around the house. His kitchen was enormous. All the counters were granite. He then brought me down stairs. The living room had a giant 72 inch plasma screen TV. Perfect size to watch Jersey Shore! He also had a pool table. Pool wasn't really my thing. But I guess I can learn to like it. There was a bathroom down here too. It was cute. I guess. The walls were blue and so were the shower curtains.
There was a bedroom down here, that was one of my options. The walls were a light orange. There was a bed and a computer desk. The only thing missing from the desk was the computer.
We then went up stairs where there were 2 bedrooms for me to choose from. To the left of the top of the stairs was the bathroom. Right across from the stairs was the first room. The room I chose. From the second I walked in, I knew it was the one for me. I had a walk out to a small balcony that could probably fit one of those out door couches and a small table. I could see the back yard. There was an in ground pool and a cabana. Maybe my dad should hire a cabana boy. Seems like he has the money to do so.
The room itself was so nice! The walls were my favourite shade of purple. Not to dark, not to light. There was a king size bed and a computer desk. Missing the computer. There was a walk in closet that was perfect for all my stuff. And a TV on the wall already connected.
"It's perfect." I said. Dad put all the bags on my new bed as I looked out the window.
There was a park right behind the house. Looked like a lot of people go there around 7. I could also see a Mc Donalds, Starbucks, Quickie, and a few other stores just across the way from the park.
"If you look straight across you can see the highest peak of one of the rides at Cleveland Park. I meant to take you and Laurie there one day. But I just never got around to it. I'm going to order pizza. Sound alright?" dad said.
"Yeah that's fine." I said as he walked away.
I started to un-pack all my things. Get my room the way I want it. The bed had no frame on it so it seemed light enough to move. I decided to push it towards the wall. It looked better that way.
As I was un-packing, I pulled out a picture of Hayden and I. This was the first time I thought of Hayden since my mom told me I was moving to Cleveland. I never wanted to forget his smile. I put the picture on the wall where my bed was. Along with the picture frame my mom got me last year for Christmas where I could put 6 pictures in one. I knew I was going to make new memories, but those where the ones I never want to forget.
I hang up all my clothes in the closet. I had much more closet space here. At home, I had one dresser for clothes. Here I have a full walk in closet. I decided to use one side for T-shirts and long sleeves, the back wall for sweaters, and use the other side for pants and shorts. Everything, of course, was color co-ordinated.
"Pizzas here!" dad called from down stairs.
When I sat at the table, I looked out the window and noticed how many teenagers that looked my age where there. I couldn't help but notice how maybe life wouldn't be so bad here. And most of all, I couldn't help but notice how some times, change can be a good thing. As long as I saw the positive side of it all.