Aiden's P.O.V.

I couldn't believe we were moving again.

At first, mom took me and my sister, Nicky, away from Belfast in order to escape dad because she always thought he was a bad influence on us, including me. Now we're leaving Chicago to go all the way down to San Francisco because mom thinks Chicago is getting too dark for us.

I know she's trying to prevent me from becoming like dad. He'd get involved with some ugly shit, but it was always about protecting us. My mom didn't know that I've already gotten involved in fights and tough crowds. Our neighborhood was rough, so I did it to protect my family. I guess I was kind of like my dad.

Anyway, I was almost done packing and to be honest, I was a little pissed off, but at the same time it was predictable. Mom was always crazy about keeping us safe. I'd call her... overprotective.

Before we knew it, we were in the car. Nicky was crying her eyes out and I couldn't blame her. She's gotten to know this city up and down so of course she's gotten attached to it. And me? I guess I'll miss this place too. I've gotten to know quite a few good people, and a few bad ones too. Regardless, this place would always be our home.

As we were leaving, I gazed out the window looking at building after building. Lots of them looked familiar. The Ambrose Theatre for one, where Nicky and I used to watch movies. Sometimes I'd even go there with the idiots I called friends. As much as they got on my nerves, I'd miss them too.

The car ride was mostly silent, well except for Nicky's sobbing, so I put my earbuds in.

It took us a day or two to get there, but once we arrived, I quickly observed the city. This place felt a bit more...light hearted than Chicago and I also heard it doesn't snow here so it'll probably take some adjusting. Mom parked in front of a two story house.

"Well we're here," she said in the most enthusiastic way possible.

I guess this was our new home. Once we got inside, Nicky and I found our own rooms so there really was no arguement about it.

As I was unpacking, I thought about how I'd get adjusted to this place. I would definitely be going to a new school, but it was my last year so I had to make it count. Right?

I don't think mom realizes that moving here won't protect us from danger. I know that because there were shady people in Chicago and it's probably the same here too. Hell, there's crazy people everywhere.

Days went by and mom had finally dragged us out of the house to go to some hot spots around the city since we haven't really gone anywhere this last August before school was supposed to start again.

We looked at different kinds of artwork painted on the walls around the city, including people who even painted their whole bodies. There were sculptures, beaches, some guy popping out of the bushes and scaring the fuck out of all of us.

I had to say this place was...energetic and there was a shit ton of people around. I guess that's how it is living in the most populated state in the U.S. I even caught Nicky at one point admiring some of the viewpoints.

"Wow..." she'd mutter if she stumbled across one that caught her eye. Mom of course took photos to save to her gallery. I didn't really care much for the city, but it felt nice to get out of the house for once.

When we got home, I was exhausted from all the walking and crashed into bed only managing to get one of my shoes off. I sighed out of exhaustion.

I hope she wouldn't be doing this everyday. I don't think I can handle this, but I can at least handle school when it starts.

Right?