Nori sat in the passanger seat of her father's tahoe, simply staring out the window. She had tried listening to the radio, but all she could find was rap and country. She had tried reading a book that her father bought her but found that it was to happy for her current state of mind. She had tried everything. The ABC game, I spy with herself and all the other car games she could think of with no success. The only thing she hadn't tried was talking to her dad.
They had been driving for about six hours and still no conversation had been passed. It was awful driving all that way without saying anything, but Nori did not trust her temper. More and more time passed, an hour went by, and then another. Luckily Nori's patience was shorter than her temper.
"We're almost there," Nori's father, Rick said.
"What's it like?" Nori asked. Her father looked at her for a second, just long enough for Nori to pick up her nerve. "The house I mean. Why did you move here? Where were mom and I going that night? What happened?" Rick saw the pleading in Nori's eyes before he started to explain.
"The house is big," Rick began, capturing Nori's attention. "It is a creamy yellow color with white shutters. There is a big yard and a white picket fence around the front. The reason that I moved here is because this was closer to Alicia. I know you don't like to hear that but she helped me through a lot with you and your mother. I care for her and you will get along with her, I know you will. Her daughter, Natasha, is a few months younger than you. Her son, Dustin, is a good kid. He turns fifteen in a week."
They had turned on to a side street by the time her father finished. It was a quiet neighborhood. The houses all had perfectly manacured lawns, most covered by a light snow. Their were Christmas lights on many of the houses. They had almost reached the end of the street when her father turned into the driveway of another home.
"I know this is hard, sweetie," Rick said turning to Nori. "But remember, I will always love you and your mother most. Just try your best." He reached across the seat and gave Nori a hug.
Nori began to protest, but no sooner had she opened her mouth than a tall lady ran out the door. The lady had dark hair, the color of a funeral. She had cherry red lips and perfect white teeth. She was dressed, expensivly. Her white parka was zipped up only half way, reveling a low cut red tank-top underneath. Her black pants were as dark as her hair and her shoes were quality leather mocisons. She quickly crossed the lenghth of the lawn and wrapped her long arms around Rick. Nori slowly lowered herself down to the ground, careful to stay out of the way of the loving embrace, but her luck was not good. Seconds later the lady spotted her.
"My, goodness, Rick!" She exclaimed. "Why she is just so beautiful! She reminds me of a princess."
"Nori, this is Alicia," Rick began. "Alicia, Nori."
Nori gave her new mother a very fake smile and decided to head towards the door. As she slowly climbed the dozen steps to the front door, it opened again. Nori looked up to see a miniature Alicia. It was the same black hair and cherry red lips. Her skin was very pale and her eyes were a cold gray. She seemed to be looking Nori up and down, before she snorted and strided away. Nori glad that the door way was open continued onward, only to have a new obstical in her way. A boy of about fifteen stood where his sister had just moments before. He looked similar to the women, but the similarities were obvious. His black hair was a curly, frayed look, while the others were strait and shiney. His skin was tan and his lips were several shades lighter than his familys. The cold gray eyes however, were still there. He seemed to be sizing her up as well, but he did not move from the door way. She waited patiently for some moments before she turned around and looked at her father. As if remembering her he was back together.
"Nori, lets show you your room." He said as he took the steps two at a time, and gently pushed Dustin aside. Once inside whe went strait up the stairs and to the left. The room at the end of the hall seemed to be the only one open. The door was closed so she had no idea what to expect. Nori slowly turned the silver door handle and walked into the room. The furniture was all nicely made, but the room itself seemed bare. Their were no books on the book shelf, no blankets on the bed, no cloths in the closet, nothing. Nori turned around to look at her father, who was standing next to Alicia.
"Why isn't there any stuff?" Nori asked, trying not to be rude.
"Well," Rick started. "I haven't known you for almost two years and we didn't know what you would like so Alicia is going to take you and Natasha shopping tomarrow."
Nori looked at her father in shock. Alicia mistook the expression and butted in before Nori could blow up.
"Good," Alicia said. "Well have such a lovely time."