August 6, 2023

It was Sunday, so we didn't have school, and intended on moving into the new complex.

I was very excited to be starting a new chapter in my life, and was excited to just- do ALL OF IT!

I hadn't remembered the last time that I had been happy like this. I hadn't been happy since my dad died.

I shuddered to think about it, and how Parker knew.

I wondered if Luke could tell too.

I'd known Luke for forever, and he'd been my my closest friend that I'd had here. Despite me talking to Parker and Isabel more, Luke was the only one that I knew I could trust. And as much as I loved Isabel, and as much as I cared about Parker, Luke was the one who I had connected with. He was the same Luke I'd known when I was younger.

My mom packed all my stuff up, and put it into a suitcase. I waited at the door.

My mom declared, "I can't believe you're basically moving out!"

Oh jeez, not this talk, please.

"I'm not going off to college, mom. I'm only going to be 10 minutes away!" I asserted, hugging her.

I walked opened the door, and took a step.

My mom grabbed my arm carefully and stopped me, "Your dad would be proud of you, Lauren. He already was, but if he saw you now, he'd be over the moon."

I miss dad.

I gave her lighthearted smile, and walked to the bus.

________________________________

I held my breath as I walked up to HUGE building.

"You said it was like an apartment or something." Luke explained, "This is a mansion!"

Wow, he's not wrong.

"Well, would you rather be at the apartment?" Captain defended.

"No, no, it's not that I'm ungrateful. I'm just a bit... surprised." Luke mumbled, fiddling with his suitcase handle.

He's got that right.

We walked up to the large steps that were behind a bridge that had a stream underneath.

Behind me waited Camden, Parker, Luke, Isabel, and everyone else that I didn't know, who all looked in awe at the large building.

Mr. Furish looked at all of us with a smile, and opened the door.

There was a large foyer, where almost everything was made of marble, and had a giant chandelier.

And at the left side of the room there was hallway that led to who knows what, and right next to it was a large and grand staircase.

"Go ahead, explore. You can all leave your bags here." Captain explained.

YAY!

Isabel and I looked at each other in excitement.

We ran around the house and looked at all of the large rooms inside the house.

I slid down the staircase, went outside to the pool, and ran into the giant kitchen.

We all came back to the foyer and expectantly looked at Captain, "You guys will be split up into two groups. It won't be boys in girls, but half of the boys will be on one side the house, with half of the girls, and the other half of the other girls and boys are on the other side."

That doesn't even make much sense, but I think I get it.

We all grabbed our bags and waited for Captain to tell us what groups we were in.

"Okay, on the top floor: Camden, Luke, Lauren, Isabel, and Isla." Captain proclaimed.

YAY!

There were an amount of collective affirmative responses, and everyone grabbed their suitcases in anticipation.

"And Parker, Houston, Cassie, and Marina on the ground floor." Captain announced.

I literally have only heard of Parker.

I didn't recognize some of the names on the bottom floor, but I decided to ignore it, and figure them about later.

Everyone walked to their dorm area, and waited to set up.

Isla, Isabel, and I all walked over to the large room, and saw three large beds with grey sheets, a large canopy window, a bathroom, and a large TV in front of a small couch in the room.

I ran over to the bed closest to the window and set my suitcase next to bed, and sprawled on the mattress.

"DIBS!" I screamed loudly.

Wow, very mature of you, Lauren.

"Well, that was kind of obvious, but who says that anyway?" Isla said.

"Cool people." I responded.

Again with Lauren and the great comebacks.

"I see you've gotten better with your words." Isla chuckled with a smile.

Well, at least I'm more confident.

She set her suitcase by the bed across from mine, and set out her stuff and started unpacking.

Isabel squealed and set her bag on the bed next to mine, and shouted, "I'M SO EXCITED!"

"I am too!" I yelled, giving an effort to seem excited.

I thought back on the surprising day, and smiled at the thought of everything that was blossoming.

And that was the start of my new life, and the real start of close friendships, and a crazy adventure.