Well, here's the next chapter. I'm sorry that I'm slowing down with posting. I just have no energy to write this half of the time. I should have never taken my writing class because, obviously, that's all we do, and I think that takes away my ambition to create more chapters. BUT I'm hanging in there. hahaha.

-Just a little note, if you're confused with the texts, which are in the asterisks (*), tell me. The ellipses (...) are there to just represent the time waiting for a response. So after the ellipses (...), is the person who Brittany is texting.

-OH! :D and I just wanted to share with you that the green house is actually real. I came across it when my mother took me shopping out of town a few years ago. It's a shame though because it's made into apartments now and it's on a busy street next to a mini mart. It truly is a beautiful piece of art and I always wanted to know what it looked like inside. So, I used my imagination and I put it in my story ^_^

I know it's still early, but I hope you're all enjoying. Gimme some feedback!( :

No Warning

Chapter 2

Sampson, Pennsylvania is a small town five minutes from Coalton, a once bustling coalmine city that housed many inviting people, stores, and a theater, but after the 1990's, everything seemed to go bankrupt. There really wasn't too much to do between the two towns since Sampson was smaller than Coalton, so we'd have to travel a good twenty minutes to a shopping mall or a decent restaurant if we wanted something to eat and do afterwards. The thing about small towns was that people knew everyone's business. You seldom could hide anything from them, unless you're an occasional sneaky liar. Sneaky in a good way, that is.

I lived on a desolate road in Sampson atop of a hill, overlooking the mountains. I was exposed to the wilderness and I loved it. Our tan ranch-style house was as comforting as ever and I couldn't wait to be in its presence once again. I missed my bed and my room, which was decorated with my favorite things.

By the time I was off of the plane from Philly, the early morning sun was starting to peek through the black silhouette of trees. There was one more short flight and I'd be in my homelands. I slept the whole car ride home when my mom picked me up from the second airport. You'd think that I wouldn't be able to sleep anymore, but it was possible. I was exhausted once again. It was an emotional experience when I reunited with my mother though. I missed her so much. From Wilkes airport, we drove about forty five minutes to our house.

"Britt, wake up. We're home," my mother softly called.

Rubbing my eyes and yawning, I stretched and got out of the car. From what I saw, we weren't home. I turned to my mother, watching her get out of her seat and grab one of my bags.

She smiled as she noticed my confused face. "I forgot to tell you that we have a new home."

"Forgot? How could you forget something like this?" I questioned, eyeing the large old building before me that was gradually growing on me because of its mystical appearance.

It definitely was the type of haunted house you'd see in a movie or old photo, like one that someone was murdered in or was previously a funeral home. The wooden siding was a dark olive color with a large, walnut double door that had squared glass at the top of them. Holding up the roof that hung over the porch were pedestals of the same color that attached to a concrete ledge that was intricately decorated with large rocks. The lattice on the sides of the house held blankets of ivy curling around it where you could see it from standing on the veranda; the opposite side was rounded to fit an old bench swing. It was beautiful and eerie at the same time; just what I loved.

"Well, I didn't forget," she started. "It was supposed to be a surprise. Dad and I couldn't really work things out so I decided to move."

"Where's my stuff?" I panicked.

"Everything is in your new room, and I think you'll love it. I know you love the house, right?"

"Of course I do!" I smiled, but it soon faded. "I just, I'm going to miss home."

She came closer and hugged me. "I know honey, but what else do you want me to do? We've been living like this too long and you don't need to be exposed to that on a daily basis."

"I know," I breathed.

She held me closer and whispered in my ear, "It even has a cemetery."

My eyes grew bigger and I backed away from her. "Really?"

She nodded and smiled. "Well, down the street on the corner. Are you ready to take the tour?"

"Hell yeah!" I grinned while taking my entire luggage to the wooden porch.

The door creaked as I pushed it open with the tip of my bag. The sunlight peeked through the parlor and showed off the Victorian wallpaper and frames that clung to the wall. The house was incredible. The living room was decorated with furniture that wasn't ours; some things that seemed older than time. It must have come with the house. I took my bags up the spiral staircase to the left of the door and inched down the hallway. My things started to become heavier as I took a step forward. I shuffled along as my mother guided where I had to walk from behind.

"You're room is up those stairs," she said.

"Stairs? There are more? What about all of these rooms?" I asked curiously.

"Well, the library is on this floor and my bedroom, along with a closet, a bathroom, and two smaller bedrooms. I figured you'd want a bigger space," she explained.

A library? Was I hearing correct? I never lived in a house with a library. As I started for the second round of stairs, I figured that it was only typical for my mother to choose an attic for my room, but when we turned at the landing, and climbed about five more steps, I understood why she gave me the space. The layout was completely open. My white dressers and crimson chaise were added to create an actual feel of a bedroom. There were rugs on the aged wooden floorboards and my bed was off its posts and turned to its side just as it was in my old room. It faced my TV that hung on an extender from the light gray wall. The Christmas lights were already hung and I had my collection of horror fiction and movies on my shelf. Off to the side, was a large scarlet bathroom with an old fashioned tub and shower connected to it. There was finally one more staircase that was bare which led to an overhang that concealed a hidden workspace for my easel and supplies to reside in.

"Mom," I blurted, not comprehending my overwhelming thoughts. "This… this is seriously the most awesome room ever. You could at least fit twenty people in here, or maybe more."

"I knew you'd love it," she said as she set the remainder of bags down. "Now unpack so you have the rest of the day to relax."

"Okay."

"Are you hungry? I could make you something."

"Maybe later," I suggested before she left the room.

I looked around one last time, admiring my new humble abode, and then dropped my suitcases at my feet. A cloud of dust spiraled near my shoes and eventually disappeared throughout the air as it dispersed. However, tiny particles were still in sight as the rays of the sun beat on them from one of the colored mosaic windows. I plugged in my lights, for the dim ambience was all that I needed. The white, blue, and multi colored string of bulbs floated around the room, hanging on nail after nail embedded into the moldings. For the next two hours, I put all of my belongings in their proper space. As I was emptying the last of my bags, I came across a black, gothic frame. I thumbed the picture placed inside of it and exhaled deeply, for the slight pain caused a warm tear to trickle down my cheek and drip onto the reflective glass. I set the picture of me and Gregory onto my desk that was tucked next to the stairs to my art nook. A collage of photos hung on the wall of the stairs behind the desk. They were of all of me and my friends. Some were at parties and others were from just hanging out around the house. I even had inspirational quotes and lyrics from my favorite band and I even had their logo that I drew a while back.

It didn't take long to call this place home. I always wanted to live in a house that should have come out of a Bram Stoker or Anne Rice novel. I sat on my bed and fished my phone out of my pocket. I got so side tracked that I forgot to text Gregory. It was nine o'clock and I checked the international times on my phone. It was two in the afternoon back in Scotland. I wondered if he was thinking of me, just as much as I was thinking about him. I clicked on my messages and typed something.

*Hello handsome*

The message sent and all I had to do was wait, but that was easier said than done. Each second that passed felt like an eternity and I eagerly wanted to know why he wasn't responding. I didn't care if I had the rest of the day to spend with friends. I just wanted to talk to him and no one else. When I started closing my eyes, my phone vibrated. I instantly jumped up and read the message.

*Well hello beautiful. I was waiting for you. How was your trip?*

He was thinking of me. I smiled and started typing. Then, I waited for a response.

*It was long. Not something I want to do too soon, haha. I miss you*

…

*I miss you too, dear. Are you settled in alright?*

*Yeah. I came home to a new house though.*

…

*New house? You moved?*

*Yeah apparently when I was still living with my aunt and uncle. It's a cool house though. Very creepy*

We talked for the rest of the day until the sun started to fade. Throughout our conversation, I visited the cemetery down the street and checked out the grounds. It was almost similar to the one in Scotland, and I knew I was going to be spending a lot of time there. When I returned home, I watched a movie with my mother and then cracked open a new book on my shelf. For the rest of the night, Gregory and I got to webcam. It was so great to see his face. Now that seeing him satisfied my need, I craved to feel his touch. I went to bed thinking that leaving him was somewhat of a mistake.