1 The Drive

Welp, the last day of our long drive. The long drive to a new home.

My family and I once lived in the city, Las Angeles, to be more specific. It was an okay city, would be better if the sky could stay clear for more than a few hours. Had a lot of friends there, a lot just what some would call acquaintances, but there were a few that I could call true friends.

Which was hell when I told them that I was moving away. My best friend, Seth, almost punched me, ranting about how I was ditching him in the school filled with fools. I don't feel like saying exactly what he said, but lets say they were not pleasant words.

Once Seth was done and left, Catori and Achak, the twins, stepped up and gave me a gift. They had always been somewhat quiet and secluded, and would have been picked on their entire high school career if it weren't for Seth and I stepping up to their would be bullies. They had been picked on because they never left one another side, and these bullies were implying some sick ideals about why they never left one another's side. After we dealt with those brutes, and after a strict talk with administration, the twins hung out with us when ever they could.

The gift they gave me was a leather wrist band adorned with a number of different colored stones. I wasn't sure what it was, but they said that it was important to their culture. I hated to see those two walk away, especially when I remembered the time Catori said she had feelings for me and I had to reject her. I wish I could have known them better, but I suppose that was my own fault for not perusing to learn more instead of waiting for them to talk about themselves.

Finally, there was Cheral, an old childhood friend. She was always so open and vibrant, the heart of out friend group, always wearing eye catching outfits that showed enough skin to get all of the guys to cover their crotches. I always thought we would become a thing, but that got shot down when I watched her and another guy smashing faces together. We stayed friends, but it was always a little awkward. Even more so when she hung out with more concealing clothing. She always said that it was just because she was chilly, but she wasn't the best at hiding those bruises.

She and I sat in my room for a while, silent and dreading the moment we would be apart. I told her that we could keep in contact over the internet, but there were a few things preventing that from happening. First, long distance friendships that rely on technology aren't always gonna last. Second, the place that we have to move to is in a valley somewhere, so the reception would not be the greatest.

In the end, when my mom came to tell me that everything was packed and it was time to go, Cheral gave me a kiss on the cheek and two pictures: one was from a long time ago, and one was more recent. The first picture was a photo from our first Valentine's together, First grade. I swear, she had the cutest smile. The other picture was more of a group picture, the five of us on Santa Monica Pier. Seth was being extra, tounge sticking out, fists raised into the air displaying the "devil horns", the twins, ever calm and collected, smiled at the camera, although they looked like they weren't really there, I could never guess why, and in the center was Cheral and I, Cheral hugging my arm and pressing against me smiling, and me trying not to be awkward leaning away. After handing me the pictures, she walked away, leaving me alone in my room. It took a lot of energy to hold back those tears.

Once that was done, I grabbed my luggage with the cloths I would change into after each hotel stop, and my phone. My family and I were not the best family; they tended to favor my younger sister over myself. I think I heard them discussing one night that I hadn't lived up to their expectations or something. I walked down the stairs and saw my other two family members.

My dad, a 47 year old man, works for some government agency. He is bald yet he tries to look like Magnum P.I. any chance he gets, so it is pretty funny when he says he's going to work and is wearing a vibrant Hawaiian shirt. He can be strict at times, but tries to be friendly, more or less.

My mom, a 41 year old teacher, gave my dad hell when he told us we had to move. She wouldn't get into it, only saying that the place we'd be moving to only had one school, and that from the looks of it, it was somewhat behind technologically. Bright red hair is what attracted my father to her, and honestly the most beautiful thing about her. She was always harsh, and the only time I saw her be nice was to my sister Lea.

Lea was the pride and joy of my parents, adorable, fiery red hair, perfect at everything she did, and especially perfect at pissing me off and getting away from the trouble that she would cause. If it wasn't obvious, Lea and I don't get along very well.

"About damn time you were down here, Abe. Was about to leave you behind." My dad said, following his statement with a single "Ha" as if he made a great joke. My mother just faced me, wearing those stupid reflective glasses. I couldn't see here eyes, but I know that she was glaring at me. Lea ran up to me and gave me a hug, stopping me in my tracks.

"Come on, big brother, it's time to go to our new home!" My sister planted her chin on my stomach, looking up at me. I wanted to shove her off, but she was too cute, so I played along and patted her on the head.

"Yep, big bro can hardly wait to see what this..." I paused, trying to thing of a word that would seem nice, "..lovely home is like." I ended that with a chuckle, obviously nervous. My mother simply walked away, while my dad cleared his throat.

"It seems like your mother would like to be going along now. Come one Lea, Levi." My sister let go of me and moved to her pink suitcase and grabbed the strap. She tried pulling it and groaned, baring her teeth to show her struggle. She gave up and looked to me.

"Brother, could you help me with my bag? It's to heavy for me." Her voice portrayed sorrow, but her face, which my dad couldn't see, had the most evil grin I've ever seen.

That damned gremlin. I knew that hug was a tactical move. If I say no now, my dad would scold me for not helping my "poor wittle sista." I smiled and nodded.

"Sure thing, sis. I got it." She cheered, and let go of her suitcase and ran to dad, who picked her up and held her.

"Thank you, Levi. Make sure you close the door behind you." My dad said as Lea wrapped her arms around his neck. He took one last look around the home that he had called home and sighed. "I'm gonna miss this place, but duty calls." He then walked out and to the car.

I looked around as well, taking in my childhood home one last time. "Yeah, me too." I moved to my sister's suitcase and grabbed the strap and pulled, only to almost dislocate my arm doing so. "What the hell did she pack! ten dozen bricks!?!?" I set my luggage down and grabbed my sister's bag with both hands and heaved it onto my luggage. I then popped out the handle so I could roll my bag around, but the weight of her suitcase threatened to break the wheels on mine. "Ridiculous."

I packed the two pieces of luggage in the back, Lea's back took more time than it should have, which made my mother glare at me in the review mirror, and once mine was in, I closed the back and got in, sitting behind my dad. "Buckle up, everyone, it's gonna be a long ride." My dad said, turning on the car and pulling out of the drive way.

I watched out the window as I left the home I had known my whole life, and watched as the city itself faded into the distance behind the hills.

And after a number of pit stops and hotel stays, we were on the last stretch. I have no Idea why it took us more than three days to get to Oregon, but I'm not gonna say anything. I was more focused on not throwing up due to all the twisting and turning we were doing to reach this town.

"Almost their fam." My dad said, a smile plastered on his face. My mother looked alive as ever, those stupid glasses still plastered on her face, and my sister was playing with two dolls, trying her best to annoy me. I was about to take the dolls away from her when I saw it, the town that ran along the river in this valley. My sister stopped playing as well, looking out the window to catch a glimpse of our new home as well. My father looked in the review mirror and laughed. " Quite the sight, isn't she? The sun is hitting the river just right, as well, so those pretty orange and yellows are coloring the town." He paused for a moment before rolling his window down to let that valley air in. It smelled nice, but strange as well.

"Welcome to Pleasant Valley."