AN: Hello again! I would first like to thank you for reading and reviewing. Also, if you guys have any suggestions you would like me to take into consideration, please do share! I'm going to be updating every Saturday and Sunday most definitely, but I will also update at random points during the week. So anyway, here's chapter 5!

Chapter 5

I spent the entire next morning in my lifeless bedroom. I figured I wouldn't unpack, since I would be gutting the entire room anyway. I'm not sure Spencer knew what to do with me. We didn't speak since my arrival, and I only emerged from my bed to use the bathroom. I stayed curled up under the covers for hours and hours, letting everything sink in. I didn't really feel much. Given the situation, you would think I would have been going out of my mind, but I wasn't. I guess you could say I went numb.

Spencer knocked on my door around noon. Less than thrilled to engage in human interaction, I stumbled across my room and opened the plain white door.

"Oh- I'm sorry, d-did I wake you?" Spencer said, refusing to make eye contact. I don't understand why he won't look at me. Even though I have only known him for a little less than 24 hours, I feel like I can't get his full attention. That's one thing we'll have to work on.

"No no no, I've been awake for a about a half an hour" I didn't want to say I had really been up for four hours; I didn't want him to think I was avoiding him.

"Oh, okay. Anyway, I was going to go to the grocery store and wanted to know if you'd like to come. I don't really know what you like to eat so I'd like your input"

"Uhm, sure. Would it be okay if I grabbed a quick shower first?"

"That's fine. We'll leave in about an hour, is that enough time?"

"Yeah, see ya then" I nodded and closed the door. I was surprisingly nervous for this trip. I'm not a big food person, and my pallet is very small.

I grabbed my toiletries and walked across the hall into the bathroom. It was a decent size, especially for such a small apartment. The walls were a light gray with white marble countertops and silver faucets. The white tiled floor had not a speck of dirt or dust to be found. I pushed aside the sliding glass door to the shower and turned on the hot water. The scolding liquid eased my muscles oh-so gently, though the water nearly burned my skin. I washed my hair and body immediately. After that I just stood there, water beating down on my bare back. That's when it hit me. I'm living with a complete stranger because the rest of my family either died or didn't want me. I just moved to a different state, and will be attending a completely different high school in the fall. For the first time in weeks, I cried. Within three seconds I was uncontrollably sobbing. Everything that had happened in the past three weeks flooded my mind. Every move I make comes with complications. I wasn't sure if my face stung because of my facial scrub or because I was crying so hard. My knees felt week so I decided to sit at the bottom on the tub. I took the remainder of my shower to calm down. I had been crying so hard I didn't realize that thirty minutes had past. I stood up and stopped the flow of water, slightly disappointed it had to end. I dried myself off and headed for my bedroom.

I cursed under my breath for not unpacking my clothes. Rummaging through two suitcases to find an outfit was not my idea of fun. I ended up wearing a medium blue button down under a tan sweater with four cream colored stripes across the bust. I settled on my favorite black leggings and a pair of tall brown lace up boots. I braided my damp hair, threw on my glasses, and journeyed into the kitchen.

Spencer was nowhere to be found, so I walked over to the half-empty coffee pot and poured myself a cup. I wasn't sure which mug Spencer would be okay with me using, so I grabbed a plain green mug I found at the back of the cabinet. I leaned against the beige counter and took in the smell of my first cup of coffee in my new life. My thoughts were soon interrupted by Spencer walking into the room.

"Hey, ready to go soon?" Spencer said, tugging at his shirt. He was wearing a light blue button down and a gray cardigan with a dark blue tie along with a pair of khaki pants.

"Yeah, I'm almost done with my coffee. I hope its okay I took some"

"Of course it is; you do live here after all. Carla called and asked if you took your medication" The moment those words left Spencer's mouth, I froze. We've lived together for 24 hours and he's already on my case about this?

"Yeah, yeah I took my medication" My voice barely made a sound. I prefer not to talk to strangers about my personal issues.

"Okay. How about we get going?"

I nodded as I swallowed my last gulp of coffee and placed my mug in the sink. I followed Spencer out the door and down the stairs. I didn't ask why we didn't take the elevator, although I found it a bit strange since we lived on the seventh floor. We walked through the lobby down another flight of stairs to the parking garage. About twenty feet later, I climbed into the passenger seat of Spencer's 1985 blue Volvo. It was the epitome of a clunker. The interior smelled like old books. The gray suede seats were worn down a bit stained, along with the carpet. The radio seemed as if it had just been replaced, and in the middle consul was an assortment of CD's. I soon learned they were all Mozart and Bach. I'm not particularly into classical music, but I'm sure I could adapt. We were silent for about five minutes when Spencer finally spoke up.

"So, what do you like to for fun?" I internally giggled at how lame the question was. He flashed me a nervous smile while waiting for me to answer.

"Well, I read a lot. I'm also very fond of writing. I listen to music of course; mostly classic rock, alternative, general rock, and show tunes. I use to dance also. Above all of that is musical theatre though."

"Musical theatre? What musicals have you participated in? Did you know that western musical theatre emerged during the 19th century, culminating with the works of Gilbert and Sullivan in Britain and those of Harrigan and Hart in America? They were also followed by the numerous Edwardian musical comedies and the musical theatre works of many American creators. The art of plays and opera's although originate in ancient Greece. Workers would build huge amphitheatres and fill them with thousands of people while actors preformed various comedies and tragedies." Spencer's face lit up as he went on and on with endless information. I appreciated it none the less.

"Actually, yes, I did know that" I said with a giggle and a slight smile "As far as roles go, I've played Little Red Riding Hood in my schools production of Into the Woods; Anita in West Side Story; and Svetlana in Chess. I've done other shows as well, but I was either in the ensemble or a featured dancer."

"Oh, that's really nice. I did research on a few of those musicals; you must be really good to have gotten those rolls at this age" It was true, I was really good. I don't mean to sound cocky, I'm just being honest. The stage is where my only confidence lye's.

"I'm okay I guess. I work really hard and it pays off."

"I'll have to take your word for it. You said you were a dancer, what kind of dance?"

"Jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, and pointe."

"Wow, that's a lot, you had time for in your schedule?"

"No actually, I had to quit about 8 months ago because it was too much. It nearly broke my heart."

"Oh. Well would you like to start again?" He said, glancing at me with a slightly warm smile. I'm not sure he knew what he was offering. Dance is an expensive sport that takes a lot of commitment.

"That's really nice of you. That would be great" I all of a sudden felt a lot more comfortable with him. I'm not sure how long that would last though, given we haven't had enough time to really know each other.

"Great. We'll start looking at studios later today" Spencer smiled at me and brought the car to a stop.

We walked into the grocery store and were met with more silence. Spencer was pushing the cart and I was trailing next to it. We swerved through isle after isle, without exchanging words. Spencer put various items in the cart, like sugar and eggs and such, but I was too uncomfortable to pick anything up. I think Spencer could tell because I seemed very reluctant and indecisive. "If it would make you feel more comfortable you could grab a basket and shop on your own" I was jumping with joy inside. I agreed and went on my way.

First I picked up caramel rice cakes. It sounds lame but they are the basis of my diet. I figured I needed some form of nutrition, so I grabbed a few peaches, strawberries, and a small package of raspberries. Nothing else really appealed to me, but I decided to throw in some sugar free jello just because.

I met up with Spencer soon after I finished and placed the items in the cart. He barely gave them a glace, so I was pretty much in the clear. We then check out, got in the car, and headed home.

The car ride was, to no surprise, noiseless. When we got back to the apartment, we took the grocery bags out of the trunk and headed inside. I assumed we would take the elevator, since we had grocery bags to carry, but no, we took the stairs. This left me even more puzzled than before.

After entering the apartment and putting away the newly bought food, I retreated into my bedroom. Astonishing, right?

I spent the next few hours alternating between reading, and online shopping. When my mother died I was left a large sum of money, but three fourths of it was put into a trust fund I can't touch until I turn 18. The rest, however, I was given full access to. That, plus the money I got from my aunt and uncles death, including money I worked for, I was pretty well off. Around 7pm, there was a knock at my door.

"Hey, I remembered what you said about dance earlier and I found a studio that's just around the corner actually. Sign up is still available, and fall classes start in a week or two. If you want we can go to sign you up now then grab dinner"

I was shocked. He followed through. No adult has ever kept their word when it came to me. He barely knows me and is already catering to my whim. I smiled idiotically and said "That would be great, Spencer." and with that, we were on our way.