Another chapter! I would like to say thank you everyone that has taken the time to read this story. Reviews are slow but I have noticed that a lot of stories in this category are low on them. I take no offense to the lack there of but there really is no way of know what anyone thinks without them. Anyways, the characters are slowly starting to come into the story as well as future development of friendships between my OC and the YJ team.
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice.
Chapter Three
Three days later…
The long trip from their soon to be ex-home to Happy Harbor was just that, long. It was pretty uneventful and they decided to keep the stops to a minimum in order to make it there faster. Her father had decided to stop about half way and rent rooms for the night so that he was not driving sleep deprived.
They made their arrival late in the evening on the 18th of June, so they decided to save checking out the area for the following day. Ace on the other hand seemed to be as happy as can be once he was able to stretch his long legs. As soon as he was taken to the smaller fenced in area he immediately bolted, flinging his head back in excitement.
Aaliyah stood at the gate leaning on it with her arms crossed in front of her and resting her chin on her forearm. She watched Ace as he continued to run the smaller space, it was just big enough for him to pick up enough speed before he had to slow it down again.
The soft wind caught her hair and whipped it around behind her, it was relaxing and peaceful here and she decided that she could live with that. She smiled when Ace came walking up to the gate, a wild excited look in his eyes and his mane completely tangled and frayed.
"I see someone is happy now, huh big guy?" She reached up and scratched his nose gently, "You seem to have taken a liking to this place already. At least one of us is content." She let out a weary sigh as she let her hand fall to rest on the gate once more.
The place was very beautiful, that was a detail she picked up on right away. The house, which looked like a massive two story log cabin, was absolutely beautiful. She had already gotten to see her soon to be bedroom which was huge compared to the other one, with a private bathroom. The inside was very clean and spacious, her mother was going to have a time with this place. The image of her mom going into décor overload filled her mind every time she stepped into another room.
The area for Ace was just beyond excellent, the larger fenced in pasture stretched out as far as the eye could see with a small pond surrounded with a few trees. The smaller area that he was in now was roughly a half acre and was very well kept, a large troth for water sat in the corner and an empty bale feeder sat in the middle of the area. In all, the place had more potential than she had hoped for, the only thing missing were her friends that were now well over a thousand miles away.
"Aaliyah!" The sound of her father's voice pulled her out of whatever thoughts that were plaguing her mind. She turned around to see him standing on the porch with a huge grin plastered on his face. He was completely beside himself with the new place and his excitement escalated when they finally reached their destination.
"Yeah?" she finally spoke up letting him know that she had heard him.
"I know we said we would leave the exploring for tomorrow but what do ya say we go grab a bite to eat somewhere?" There was still enough light in the sky to make a trip into the new town and she had to admit the curiosity was building up.
"Sure, that sounds fine." She turned and gave Ace one last pat on the nose before making her way to the truck.
They were able to find a small diner that suited her just fine. It was nice to see a place like this in town and she decided that she would make an effort to come back here as often as possible. The two of them ate their food while occasionally speaking their opinions of the new property.
"Well what do you think so far?" her father spoke after taking a sip of his drink.
"It's really nice. To be perfectly honest, I wasn't expecting much but I was really surprised. The area is really well kept and the house is just beautiful." She held her half eaten burger in her hands as she spoke, looking down thoughtfully and then back to her father with a small shrug.
"That's great! It's good to hear that because, well…I was thinking of making the official move before the middle of July." Aaliyah had taken another bite of her burger when he spoke which resulted in her nearly choking on it. Her father looked at her with a puzzled expression, "Too soon? From the sound of it you seemed okay with the place."
She took a swig of her drink to help regain herself, "Yeah the place is awesome but what about the other house? I haven't heard you or mom talk about selling it, or plans of that kind."
Her father looked at her guiltily, "Well actually it has already sold."
"Huh?" her eyes widened as she thought, well what else has been kept from me? It had already sold?! Seriously?!
"Last week to be exact. We made arrangements to have movers over while I was here, so by the time we get back everything will be packed. The truck is scheduled to leave soon after and deliver everything here." He stated, thoughtfully looking at his daughter. He understood that this must be difficult for her even if she did not show it initially.
Aaliyah just stared at him with complete bewilderment, "So, what about all my friends? What about yours and mom's friends? Are we just supposed to up and leave without saying goodbye?"
"And there is that teenage mind on moving, no we are not going to leave without saying goodbye. In fact, John Collins and his family are planning a get together for everyone at their place. Since most of our stuff will be gone we will stay with them for a few days until we leave." He tried to smile but the look on her face was making it hard for it to be genuine.
Aaliyah's face dropped to the table, "Well at least I'll have a few days to spend with them." She slumped down into the booth and laid her arms on the table.
June 30th…
Boxes now stacked not so neatly around the room created a kind of makeshift maze, good thing the room was pretty big. Her parents were at a meeting with some big head officials going over the plans for the business so Aaliyah sat at home alone. With the music turned up loud enough she could feel the vibrations through the floor, she started to slowly unpack.
It had been a little over a week since the first trip to the new house and everything she owned now sat in the once empty space. Now it was up to her to organize it as best she could and she was not looking forward to it. She hadn't realized just how much of a packrat she was until she walked into the room and saw the wall of boxes in front of her.
"This, S. U. C. K. S.!" For some reason spelling it out seemed to solidify just how much she meant it. Slowly, one by one, the number of boxes diminished and she could finally see the dark cherry wood floor. It was a long process but after about four hours she had finally, finally, unpacked everything. The room was starting to look like her room with the neatly made queen sized bed, old roll top desk by the large window, various rustic furniture placed here and there, and finally the brand new saddle she had been given just before they had left.
Being it was new and very beautifully made with the intricate tooled designs in the leather and shiny embellishments, she opted to place it in her room. It was too nice to put in the dusty tack room where her very used and worn saddles sat collecting dust. So naturally her room now smelled of leather and she honestly preferred it to some flowery scent of some air freshener.
"Well that's that." She clapped her hands and let out a huff. "Time to go see Ace."
It had been about a week since they had arrived at the new house and most of the boxes had been unpacked with the exception of a few that held some of the not so important items. Aaliyah's mother had convinced her to going to town for some "girl time". At first being a little against the idea but it quickly changed when her mom mentioned the diner that her father had found the last time. It didn't take the teen long to be ready wearing a pair of cut-off jean shorts, white t-shirt and her favorite pair of black converse.
On the way to town Aaliyah had made a decision and asked her mom to find a salon to go to while they were there. Her long hair had finally gotten to be a hassle and she was getting tired of trying to figure out what to do with it.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Her mom asked with uncertainty as her daughter now sat in the hairstylist's chair.
"It's just hair mom, don't look so broken about it. It will grow back." Aaliyah answered with a shrug of her shoulders. She knew her mother loved the long hair but she wasn't the one that had to deal with it on a daily basis.
The hairstylist whose name they found out soon after was Mindy, stood behind Aaliyah looking at her through the reflection of the large mirror. She placed her hands on the back of the chair and leaned forward slightly, "So, what do you want to do? Have any ideas?"
The smile that crept across her face made her mother's face blanch, "Yep. I want it cut like this." She showed the stylist a picture of the style she wanted and the young woman smiled at her.
"Oh that is going to look so cute on you." She grabbed the fabric to drape over Aaliyah's clothes before she began and looked at the older woman standing next to her. "Don't worry, I will take good care of her." The smile did somewhat ease the worried woman but she still looked a tad sad that all of her daughter's hair was about to get chopped off.
"Ok, if you are sure, here we go." Mindy held up the scissors and smiled, with the excited nod from Aaliyah she began. When it was all said and done her mother couldn't contain the huge smile that was now plastered on her face.
"Wow! That actually looks really good. It fits you!" She clapped her hands together as she gushed at her daughter.
Aaliyah stared at her new hairstyle, it was very cute and now stopped about three inches below her chin in the front going up at a dramatic angle to the shorter strands in the back. The back was stacked in layers, Mindy showed her the longest of the layers being about four inches long when held up. Her bangs had also been cut to put a little more drama to the cut and it fell around her face in messy slightly wavy strands.
"I love it!" the smile could no longer be contained as she stared at herself in the mirror. Reaching up to run her hand through her now short hair, the lightness felt foreign but in a good way.
They paid the girl for the awesome work and made their leave for the small diner for lunch. If she knew her mother like she did the nourishment was a must. The last time they had a girl's day she felt ready to collapse by the end of the excursion.
Her ears were filled with the sound of chatter once they opened the door and it almost halted her right on the spot. She didn't do very well with large crowds but her mother ushered her inside causing her to stumble a bit. There were a lot more people in the diner this time, but it made sense being that she and her father had gone later in the night. It was around noon now so the amount of people was to be expected.
A waitress walked up to them with a soft smile, "Hello, just take a seat anywhere you like. Someone will be over shortly to take your order." She gestured to the diner and then looked back at the two before turning around and going behind the counter.
Once looking around, Aaliyah noticed that a lot of the individuals in the diner were around her age, or a bit older. Probably the other kids that went to the local middle school and high school. "Um." She hesitated when she noticed that a few of them had turned their attention to her, a few held amused looks as they gave her a once over.
Aaliyah began backing up slowly when she felt a hand on her back, "Don't be so skittish. Now come on lets go sit down over there." Her mother pointed to an open booth that sat along the far wall. She felt herself being pushed slightly in the direction and absentmindedly moved her feet. They sat in a booth surrounded by other teenagers that were lost in conversation paying no mind to the two.
Another young waitress came over as soon as they were seated and handed them a menu, "What can I get you two ladies to drink?" She asked sweetly holding up her pen and pad.
Aaliyah spoke first, "I'll have a coke please." The waitress looked at her with a bit of amusement and wrote down her order. She then turned her attention towards the older woman.
"Oh just get me a sweat tea please." The young girl nodded and wrote down the order. She took one last glance at the two before going to get the drinks.
Aaliyah took a chance to look around the space noticing a table with two boys talking excitedly. She then noticed a young girl a year or two older than her and a taller boy sit with them. The two boys continued on as if they hadn't noticed the other two sit down. Her attention then drifted around to the different tables, a few times feeling embarrassed as some of the occupants made eye contact.
After having enough of getting caught looking around and receiving a few unwelcome winks from some of the boys in the room, she sank into the booth trying to conceal herself. That of course became a bit more of a challenge once the waitress returned with the drinks.
"So where are you two ladies from exactly?" The question was one that had been asked several times since they had been in town and gone into several stores. The accents were a dead giveaway to them being, well, not from here. The question to Aaliyah's displeasure was a bit loud and it attracted some attention that she wished it hadn't'.
She looked around at the numerous eyes that now settled on her and her mother, oh wow this is just embarrassing! Her hand instinctively hit her head just like it always did when she was embarrassed.
"Obviously we aren't from here." The rude tone came out without her even trying and earned her a displeased glare from her mom. "What?" She threw her hands up in the air. The waitress shifted in her spot now a bit uncomfortable as Aaliyah looked at her with hardened eyes.
"I'm sorry for my daughter's lack of manners. I know I taught her better but it seems like she might have left 'em at home today." The kind words her mom spoke to the waitress made Aaliyah scowl.
"Oh, it's ok. That was a pretty random question, I didn't mean to catch you off guard." The sheepish smile on the waitress' face indicated that she truly was sorry.
The look that her mother was giving said to either apologize for being rude, or suffer the consequences later on. With a low groan she turned her attention to the waitress, her face and tone holding no emotion, "I'm sorry for my rudeness. I guess I just keep forgetting that the way I talk is that different and noticeable here." A quick look around the room caused her cheeks to heat up, the chatter that had filled the room early had dimmed and a lot of eyes were on her.
Another groan escaped her lips when she turned to place her elbows on the table and hid her face in the palms of her hands. A soft chuckle made her peek through her fingers in the direction it was coming from to land on an older looking red headed boy. He had been the one talking so excitedly earlier to the black haired boy which she now noticed looked around her age, and why was he wearing shades in here? The girl and the taller boy she walked in with were looking at her too which made her wish the floor would just open up and swallow her right then and there.
"Um, are you by chance ready to order?" The hesitation was evident as the waitress spoke. Her stance was even more of an indicator that now she was a bit uncomfortable from the earlier exchange.
Aaliyah order what she had, had the first time and her mom made a similar order minus the cheese on her burger. The tension was building in the room before the chatter started again but it was enough that Aaliyah made the decision to take a breather.
"Hey, mom, I'm gonna take a step outside. I need some air." She stood before her mom had a chance to respond and turned to walk out. Not before noticing the looks she got from the table of four that was just a little ways away from the booth she had been sitting in.
Her phone was now in her hands fully intended to be used to send a text to someone, anyone. Thoughts of home, well not home anymore, made her slouch as she found a bench just outside the diner. She plopped down with a huff and looked at the dark screen of the phone.
"Hey." The voice ripped her from her thoughts and she looked up slowly with a lazy expression. It was the red headed boy that had apparently found something about her funny earlier. This annoyed her so her first reaction to him was a frown and raised eyebrow.
"Um, hi." The smile on his face had her holding in laughter as best she could. The sour mood she was in was slowly dissipating but she just wasn't in the mood to let it go just yet. After all she didn't even know this boy so she spoke again trying her best to keep her tone emotionless, "Can I help you?"
"Hmm? Oh, mind if I sit?" he chuckled and then scratched the back of his head with a slight hint of embarrassment showing on his face but the smile didn't fade.
Aaliyah shifted slightly to allow room for him to sit and additional space between them, "Go for it." She gestured towards the open space.
He happily sat down twisting his body slightly so as to face her, "The names Wally." He said pointing a thumb at his chest.
She had gone back to looking at her phone again so when he spoke once more she looked up. "Hi Wally." Her attention slowly turned back to her phone.
His expression toned down a bit as he looked a bit confused now, "Aren't you going to tell me yours?"
Looking up once again she saw the small smirk now on his face instead of the huge grin. Her features softened as she looked at him, why am I acting this way? He is just trying to be friendly right? I always have my guard up around people but now I am just being plain rude.
Not wanting to ruin any chances of making at least one friend in this unfamiliar place she decided to put her ways of usually closing herself off just this once. With a long sigh she finally spoke, "Look, Wally, as long as you are not trying to start up a conversation just to hear and make fun of my accent then I will tell you my name. Deal?"
He looked at her with a softer expression, "Sure but why would I want to make fun of your accent beautiful?" a cocky smirk formed at the last word.
The look on her face changed from neutral to slight shock, well then he is very brave huh?
"You're an interesting one, that's for sure." Her statement cause him to chuckle.
"Yeah I've heard that a time or two, now you going to tell me your name?" He asked again as he smiled at her.
"Aaliyah."
"Nice. Pretty name for an equally pretty girl." He placed his hand on his chin as he seemed to think, "Hey, my friends and I are going to the beach later, want to join?"
Once again she was caught off guard at his openness, "U-um."
"Oh come on it'll be fun. Plus I'll be there." He winked and wiggled his eyebrows at her which made her giggle.
Normally she would tell a guy that talked to her like that to beat it, but there was something about him that said he was truly being friendly even with the randomness of calling her 'beautiful' and 'pretty'. For a moment the small conversation had provided her with a much needed distraction from her depressing thoughts of her old home.
"Ya know what, that sounds like just the thing I need." A genuine smile finally made it to her face as she looked at the boy who now had just as big a smile on his.
"Sweet!" His fist shot into the air which caused her to jump at his enthusiasm.
"You gonna tell me what time?" He paused with confusion at her question. "Or do you just want me to wander aimlessly around till I find you?"
"Oh, right." He smiled, "Um you could meet us here, say in an hour, and we can walk there. It's not that far."
Aaliyah thought about it, she would need to buy a swimsuit while she was out then since there wouldn't be enough time to go home and change. She turned to the boy and nodded, "Deal. See you then." She rose from her seat and he followed suit extending his hand to her.
She took his hand and they shook once, "It's a date then." He said with a cocky smirk. The mention of the word, even if it had been just a joke, made her choke on her intake of air.
Before she could say another word her mom had opened the door of the diner, "There you are, food is at the table." She looked to her daughter and then noticed the young boy that stood next to her, "Oh hello there." She smiled. "Making friends already I see."
"It would seem so." Aaliyah spoke as she looked at Wally. "Hey mom, would you mind if I went to the beach with Wally here and his friends?"
Her mother stood still for a moment looking back and forth between the two teens, "I don't see why not, just be careful. You know what to do in case of trouble." The stern look on her face got Aaliyah's attention as well as Wally's.
"Yes ma'am." She looked back to Wally as her mom slipped back inside the diner, "Well looks like it's officially on. See you in an hour." He nodded his head excitedly shooting her a thumbs up. The two walked back inside and sat at their previous tables. Aaliyah couldn't help but shoot a glance over to the table the boy, Wally, was sitting. He seemed to be explaining something to his friends and then they all looked her way, smiles on their faces, except for the one boy who kept a look of indifference. The other three waved at her and she waved quickly before looking away again, well at least I am on my way to killing the boredom.
Reviews are nice, yes nice :) hope y'all enjoyed this chapter.
