"W-what's going on?" I nearly managed to choke out. I glanced at the two women standing before me, waiting for a response.
"I'll give you two some space." The sales woman said as she walked back to her car, fumbling with the paperwork in her hands.
I stared at my mother, still waiting for her to speak.
"There is no easy way to say this, but..we can no longer afford this house anymore." I nodded, slightly understanding the whole situation, but still trying to wrap my head around the idea.
"We officially leave next Sunday, so please have your stuff packed up by Friday the latest." She added.
I immediately panicked. "After we move out, where are we going to go?"
"I was thinking of going to my mother's house. There's more than enough space for the two of us there, rather than living in some cheap hotel."
I sighed, trying to take in all of the information. I saw that the saleslady was returning from her car with more papers than before, so I went inside, assuming that her and my mother had more to discuss.
I could understand why my mother wouldn't want to stay in a hotel, but my grandmother's house? My mother lost contact with her years ago and never tried to rekindle their relationship. I've also only met her once when I was younger and remember her as being a cruel lady. She hated my father and never approved of the marriage between him and my mother.
Entering my familiar sanctuary, I gazed around realizing this would no longer be my room within a week. There was an ample amount of empty cardboard boxes sitting in the corner of the room, which had clearly been placed there by my mother. I grabbed one of the smaller boxes and slowly started filling it. Soon enough, its capacity consisted of my entire book collection and some old knickknacks here and there. After only packing one box, exhaustion seemed to have hit me. Feeling my eyes grow increasingly heavy by the minute, I decided not to fight it and soon my tiredness overcame me. The last thing I saw before my eyes completely closed was an old picture of my father and I on the hanging wall. I smiled but it soon faded, knowing that things would never be the same.
The following week…
Pictures were no longer up on the wall, furniture disappeared only to leave behind marks in the carpet, and the feeling of being a warm comforting house was gone. The house would seem bare to any naked eye, but it was anything but. It was still filled with the raw emotions: hatred, despair, and grief. Anyone who would buy this house would obtain its history and personality.
As the last box was placed in the moving van, I felt that a new life would be ahead of me. I no longer had sadness weighing me down, and instead sensed happiness towards starting a new life. Dark times in the house were to stay behind, and hopefully won't follow me into the new. I didn't bother to say goodbye to anyone. Not having many friends made it easier.
Climbing into the front seat of the car, I put my headphones on and watched my old life pass by. My grandmother's house was only two to three hours away, which I was thankful of since I get car sick easily.
…. ….. ….
I felt something shaking my shoulder and I jumped, waking up from the car ride.
"We're here." My mom smiled. It almost seemed foreign seeing her smile, knowing that it's been awhile.
I nearly let out a gasp as I took in my surroundings. The house was more like a castle, although it looked dark and had an eerie feeling to it. It was mainly made of brick, and had matching black window panes, along with balconies on both sides of the house. In the distance, I could even see that connected to this house was a tennis court and a pool, followed by more bright green acres of hilly land. As much as I hated to admit it, the house was beautiful.
After ringing the doorbell, we were greeted by what I assumed to be the butler. He led us to a sitting room where we waited for him to retrieve the lady that I dreaded seeing the most. A few minutes had gone by, and the sound of clicking heels against the marble floor became louder.
"Hello." A scratchy voice spoke. I looked up and my eyes met dark brown ones, glaring right back at me.
A/N: Was a bit rough, eh? I haven't written anything in awhile, so I'm a little bit rusty..this was a filler chapter, and I know I keep saying this, but Eli will make an appearance soon..hopefully the next chapter.