The moving van slowly rumbled off the driveway and back into the street, turning right and driving off. A dark-haired teenaged boy hefted a duct-taped box up into his arms and with some effort carried it through the doorway of the house, dropping it on the floor near the doorway, proceeding to dust his hands and look down the hallway at the stairs that lead up to the second floor. He had a medium build with little fat except around the belly, green eyes and didn't pack too much muscle on him. His shirt was black but his pants were red; he looked a little bit like a geek at a distance.
"That's the last of it, Dad!" He called out. His father was in the living room with his best friend Warren Mears, who had helped unload. Warren was helping set up the TV. Warren also had black hair and was wearing all black, and was a little pale.
"That's the last of it, Mr. Winters." Warren said, plugging in a few wires. He stood up again and took a step back as the older man with glasses raised the remote and hit the power button. The TV came onto the weather channel, which was reporting sunshine.
"Thank you.. Warren, was it? You can call me Richard." The father sat down on the couch. The living room had already been mostly unpacked. "Bloody sunshine. I wish they'd have some rain for once. Los Angeles always had rain.."
"Which is why we moved away, Dad." The dark haired boy leaned against the wall.
"We moved away because this place's meat packing factory has a job as manager available for a higher pay then I was getting in Los Angeles." Mr. Winter remarked, lazing on the couch. "Plus managing is easier."
"Whatever, Dad." Ceres said. "Thanks for helping unload, Warren."
"Sure thing, Ceres." Warren remarked, looking at his somewhat dust-covered hands. "It's really great you're finally moved in. Sunnydale High will be so much more bearable now that I have someone to sit with at lunch." He grinned stupidly with a bit of pride.
"What, no one else is charmed by your great wit and total lack of social ability?" Ceres said dryly with a smirk.
"Hey! I could have any friend I wanted. I just, you know.. Like to keep to myself." Warren said, looking uncomfortable.
"I didn't mean any insult, Warren. I'm just teasing." Ceres held up his hands in a "weaponless" gesture.
"Yeah, yeah. You wanna hang out tonight at my house? I got so much stuff I wanna show you." Warren had resumed an excited, almost puppy-dog look, rubbing his hands together.
Ceres shrugged and looked at Warren. "I gotta unpack all my stuff, and you should get home before it's dark."
"You sure you don't want me to stay and help unpack at least? I'm sure my mom won't mind if I stay a little late. I think she was glad I got out of the house for once." Warren smirked.
"Nah, I'm alright. I'll talk to you online later tonight, alright?" Ceres extended a fist. Warren lightly punched it with his own.
"Alright, I'll see you later." The black-haired computer geek left the house and walked off as Ceres closed the door, sighing. He picked up the box again.
"I'll be in my room, dad!" He called out as he walked up the stairs. A muffled reply from behind walls as he carried the box into his room. The bed was already there, as well as a bookshelf, a desk with a computer on it and a drawer. He put the box on his bed and took out a few books, putting them on the bookshelf, which was empty. A few odd trinkets- an old watch, a boot, a book full of scribblings, and an amulet with engravings on it followed, being placed upon the bookshelf in disorganized fashion.
Downstairs, Mr. Winters turned the TV off and sighed, getting up from the couch and stretching, a few bones popping. He looked out the window for a moment and picked up a newspaper which happened to be laying on the side of the couch. It was from a week ago. A headline his eyes fell to read "Mayor Wilkins celebrates New Beginnings plan with formal party." Right next to it was a picture of Sunnydale High in all its glory. He called out, "CERES! Don't forget to go to bed early tonight! Tomorrow's your first day of school!"
Ceres yelled back, "I know, Dad!" as he pulled out a series of books in latin and put them on the shelf.
Finally he took out a picture of an attractive woman in her thirties, framed, and carefully brushed it off, placing it upon the desk. Signed near the bottom, it simply said "Mom." He took a step back and looked at it for a moment, exhaling. He turned towards the window and walked over to it, pulling the shades up to cast the sunset's light onto his room and bed. With a quirky look around the room he clapped his hands. "Just like home."