Chapter 1
Okay, my last day of school is terrifying. I have finals in all of my subjects. Oh, I should probably introduce myself. Well for starters, my name is Teal Marie Osmond. I despise my name so much. We brunettes don’t ever get a break. Some of us get great names and amazing looks while others get atrocious names and are hideous. Others, like me, have average looks and a foreign name. Or is that just me? Anyways, brunette, green eyes, 5 feet 5 inches tall, and 14 years old. Well, back to school. I am so depressed! I have two more hours until school is done for, well at least until September. I know I should be excited but I’m not. Why? Its because I have to leave my best friend and transfer schools. I should be ecstatic because my school spends money on themselves. For one, they spend money on new bleachers that were fine in the first place. Then they put in new sensor water fountains that don’t even work. I hate this school but I’m leaving my best friend. How could this day get any worse!! This is still a big issue because I haven’t told my friend either. I don’t want to confront her with the news yet!
“Eyes on your paper, Ms. Osmond,” screams Mrs. Maple.
“Huh, oh right,” I look at my paper and then I recall that I’m taking my math final. I daydream a lot and I am horrific at math. Okay, a²+b²=c². We just talked about this, lets see, um…. Math is so confusing with Mrs. Maple. She teaches it one day, gives us a quiz, and then we move onto the next lesson. God, I can’t remember the lessons we need for the test but I can remember when I first tied my shoe by myself. Ugh, I’m just going to guess. Letter (A)—5,000 square inches.
“One minute left,” screams Mrs. Maple.
I jump. She screams like a bird diving for its prey. Its so annoying but scary when its so quiet. Further more, I know I’m not going to finish. I look on two more pages and I have ten questions left. I rush through the answers hurting my fingers because I’m going so fast. I don’t do well under pressure. I look at the clock. Fifteen…Fourteen…Thirteen. Oh come on Teal, don’t show your work GUESS!!!!
“Times up, put your pencils down and bring your tests up to me,” says Mrs. Maple.
Oh come on! I say in my head. I get up from my seat and walk over to Mrs. Maple.
Mrs. Maple looks like a horse. Her face is so long and just weird. I laugh out loud. Mrs. Maple gives me a look that if looks could say something, she’d be in jail.
Oh, I forgot! If I didn’t finish Mom and Dad are going to kill me. Can’t wait until I get home. I’ll just lie, it won’t matter because if I told them I grew an extra leg, they would look. I walk to my seat and wait for the bell to ring. Two minutes left. I talk to the person next to me for a while. Jennifer is really funny. She told me that….Ding, Ding, Ding!! Oh great, can’t wait until lunch. I just hope that I can tell Rose, my best friend, that I’m leaving!!
Chapter 2
I walk down the hall and stride to my locker. Rose is at her locker. 14…18…34 is my locker combination. I keep looking at Rose while I put my stuff away. I just start walking and then I feel a tap on my shoulder, its Rose. I can’t believe I can’t tell her. As soon as I tell her she’ll laugh it off. I know that’s not true but I should try to gain some confidence. We tell each other everything why can’t I tell her this! She’s told me all her secrets. Oh, like this one time she told me she had a crush named Damion. He’s cute but not my type of guy. Well, Rose is friends with Jade who’s brother is Damion. Rose spent the night at Jade’s house and Jade knew that Rose was crushing, big time. Jade then dared Rose to kiss Damion in his sleep. Rose wanted too, but then Jade added the Triple Fire-Dog dare part and no one can back out of that. Rose went downstairs and, well, I can tell you she’s not single now. What happened is that when Rose kissed him he woke up. Damion then saw who it was, gave Rose this dreamy eye look and leaned in for a kiss. They started kissing and then started making-out. Rose deserves love. I mean, I had a lot of guys ask me out, I give them a chance and their total jerks. They just want one thing. Well, Rose is good-looking. She has natural makeup. She is skinny, tall, and has beautiful blond hair. She has these vague blue eyes that sparkle when you look at them. I do have a crush, his name is Justin Thompson, and he is hot. He has black hair that he always flips to the side. He is skinny, tall, always wears black, and available. Its too bad I’m moving. I was going to ask him out, but were friends and I don’t want to ruin that if he says No. Okay, back to reality. Rose and I finally arrive at the lunch room. I have been quiet the whole way there.
“Okay, spill it. Did I do something wrong? You have been very quiet, which is weird, because you’re never quiet,” Rose says.
“No, you did absolutely nothing wrong, okay. I’m just wicked tired,” I say, trying to sound exhausted.
“Well, you can sleep in tomorrow. OMG, I can’t believe were a few periods away from summer vacation. Oh, you know what we should do, we should have a party tonight. You and me pull an all-nighter. That would be so, fun,” Rose says, excitedly.
I try to think of an excuse.
“Oh, if I knew we were going to do this I would’ve told my parents. Tonight is ‘go to any restaurant you want, honey’ night. I’m so sorry,” I say apologetically.
“Oh you know, whatever. Things come up. Hey, what did you want to tell me. You told me you would tell me at lunch, and you know it’s lunch,” She asks.
Oh, I totally forgot!
“Um, after lunch we’ll go to the bathroom and I’ll tell you there. Its a, uh, surprise. But, you can’t tell anybody, not even your mom. Well, you can tell your parents, but nobody else okay! Promise me that?” I look at her with puppy eyes.
“Yeah you know I wouldn’t,” She looks at me back with puppy eyes.
We both nod and move up in the lunch line.
Rose looks at the lunch lady and says, “Let’s go.”
She starts to drag me and I say, “Wait! There’s nothing wrong with… Oh, the Lady Shedder. She has a hair net on, she won’t be shedding hair in our food today.”
All of a sudden I see the Lady Shedder itch her back with the spoon she uses to serve the food with and puts it back into the soup. I look at Rose and start walking to the café. I order the Fajita wrap which is delicious. The chicken might not be real but the taste is excellent. I also got a Coca-Pepsi with chips. Rose got a Turkey sub with lettuce, cheese, tomato, and mayonnaise. She picked up a Mountain Fizz with a cookie and we both walked to our seat closest to the wall.
“The Math final was super hard, but then again I,” I didn’t finish my sentence.
“You going to hurry up,” Rose looks at me.
I look at her tray and the Fajita was in half, her Mountain Fizz had about 5 chugs, and the cookie was on my tray.
I looked at her amazed, “Wow, you could win a pie eating contest.”
“Hurry, I want to know the surprise. Please hurry,” She says moaning.
“Look, not trying to be rude but I want to finish my food at least decently, unlike you,”I say, looking at her.
Rose was giving me her puppy dog eyes. I took 3 bites of the Fajita and got up to throw my food away. Just to mess with her, I go really slow to the trash. I grab the cookie and the soda and save them from being thrown away. I try to go even slower to the bathroom. She just took my ear and I said OW! all the way to the bathroom.
“Okay, tell me.” Rose says.
“Wait!” I shout.
I look under al the stalls, lock the door and I guess the moment is here. Remember, she’ll laugh after.
“Okay, I’m…,” Not finishing my sentence again, the bell rings. Fate is giving me a chance, maybe.
Chapter 3
Three periods went by. None of those with Rose. I felt bad that I left Rose hanging, well I can’t argue with fate. As I was walking upstairs Justin spotted me and came over. He starts talking about the Technology final. I hate that Final. Well at least it’s the last year for me to take it. I wasn’t listening. I was thinking that I have to tell him, too.
“I can’t,” I say to myself quietly.
“Huh. What you say, Teal,” He says in his seductive voice.
“Oh, nothing. Talking to myself. Um, go on,”I say quirky like.
“Well, as I was saying, there are three parts. The first is that you need to know the parts of a plane, real easy. Then you need to know the mechanism process, that one was difficult. Lastly, an essay on what you want to do next year. The first two parts go to the state, the third goes to Warty,” Justin says.
We call our Tech teacher Warty because he has warts on his left hand and nose. His real name is Mr. Stewart. I have to ask Warty if I still take the third part of the test because all my teachers know I’m moving.
“Oh, ELA test, whats that about,” Justin asks.
“Oh, mostly short stories. They are actually kind of, well, a good read. The third story is the best. You’ll see why, the other parts are listening and questions and thats all that I can remember,” I say, trying to sound cool about it.
“Thanks, I’ll catch you later.”
“Peace.”
I walk into Technology. Rose is staring at me like I killed a person and she’s cool about it.
“Hey, sorry that I couldn’t tell you, but I do, I do promise right after the test,” I say uneasily.
Rose nods.
“Everybody have two Number Two pencils?” Warty asks.
Everybody says yes in unison.
“Teal,TEAL. You got a pencil?” Rose whispers.
“Yeah, but only one. Ask Warty,” I say.
Rose raises her hand and asks, “Wart, I mean, Mr. Stewart. I don’t have a pencil, and by the way nice…..uh shirt,” Rose says trying to cover up that she just said something inappropriate.
“Yes, and Rose, you just got yourself detention, for a week, at the beginning of school. Here Rose,” Warty walks towards Rose and hands her a pencil.
“Thanks, Mr. Stewart,” says Rose. She sounds upset.
Warty scurries through some papers and finds the tests. He hands them out and goes back to his desk.
“You may start your tests. You have one full hour to do so, or until 5 minutes before 3. When you’re done you may read a book, but no talking,” Warty exclaims.
Wow, I didn’t know the final was so easy. It took me 10 minutes to do three pages filled with questions. I nailed that. Now halfway through the…. Ugh, I forgot to ask Warty. I raise my hand and Warty looked at me and nodded his head no. I then raised my fingers three and he knew what I meant.
He came over and said quietly “Only do a sentence or two about what other people might want to do next year, okay,” He smiled and walked back to his desk.
I finish the second part with ease. I look at the clock, its 2:33, plenty of time.
I look at the lines on the paper for the third part. I write:
I think the students would really enjoy more wood shop. I also think they would enjoy learning about the way computers or electronics actually work. I love building things that I can actually use, so maybe they would love to do more of that. Some examples would be like cd holders, boxes, chairs, things like that sort. I wish my classmates the best of luck. Thanks for the great technology experience.
That was easier to write than I though it would be. BZZZZZ That’s my cellphone.
It’s Justin! It says….
I need to tlk to u
ASAP after skool
gym bleachers
alone...
God, I am so clueless what he’s going to say. Does he know I’m moving? Usually when he ‘needs to talk’ its a bad thing. Rose then finishes her test and then looks at me, she has an excited look in her eyes. We both look at the clock, 3:50.
“Is everybody done with their tests,” Warty asks.
One hand goes up and he says, “Yeah, I got one more sentence.”
He then says that he’s done and Warty gets up and starts collecting the tests. He looks like a lab rat in a maze trying to find the cheese. I snicker a little. After Warty was done, he sits down, remembers something and stands back up.
“Listen, here’s the deal. Ms. Jess said that anyone who wants to play in the gym go ahead. Anyone that wants to stay here can. First, go to the lockers and get your stuff. Have a nice summer! Well, get to it,” Warty says, excitedly. Warty sounds kind of delighted that the summers here. I bet to get away from us.
Everybody then dashes towards the door and heads to the gym. I wait until everybody leaves and start walking, Rose is ahead of me, but not by much.
Rose explains, “Lets get our stuff and then tell me, OK.”
“Sure,”I say walking.
Rose and I then just talk about what the summer’s going to be like. I throw in a few white lies because, you know, I’m moving. I’m starting to be not so afraid to tell her. Now is the moment, we have our stuff and are downstairs. Were sitting on the benches next to the doors.
“Now you’re going to tell me, right,”Rose asks.
“Yeah, listen, I love you, as a friend, and I got to tell you something important. I…I…,” I don’t finish.
“Spit it out,”Rose exclaims.
“I’m moving, to California,” I say, squeamishly and quickly.
There was a silence then a laugh.
“Ha, I knew you were going to pull a prank on me. But, seriously, is that the surprise? Really?” Rose asks.
I can’t believe she laughed. My theory worked, but she needs to take it seriously.
“No, really, I am. My dad got fired from his job. He got a new one. He also got this house by the shore because now he’s a temporary fisherman. I’m sorry,” I say.
Rose than gets up and walks away. I’m confused, so I follow her. It turns out that I can hear crying.
“Rose, please don’t cry. I’m sorry,” I shout.
She stops, turns around and says “Why does your dad have to be a ‘temporary’ fisherman? He can stay here and be a chef. He does make great food! Why can’t he stay, why can’t you stay,” Rose sounds angry.
“I want to stay, I really do. You know I want to stay, don’t you,” I start to cry.
Rose leans in and hugs me, I hug back.
“You know I’ll be in touch, all the time. My dad said, if its okay with your parents, that you can come and visit, or vice versa. Nothing, and I mean Nothing will change that, OK,” I’m not crying anymore. I then look at Rose and her eyes are beat red.
“Best,” I say.
“Friends,”Rose exclaims.
We hug each other and the bell rings. The buses come and we walk our separate ways. Oh great, time to meet Justin.
Chapter 4
There he is! Justin is leaning on the door next to the gym. He spots me and gives me the ‘come here’ signature and I follow. We walk onto the bleachers.
“Okay, something is with you. Remember when I was telling you about the tech final? Yeah, you said ‘I can’t’ you can’t what, tell me something?” Justin asks.
“Ya, I do have something to tell you,” I say, weirdly.
“Well, I think I know what it is, and I have something to ask you,” Justin says.
“Okay, go for it,” I say, enthusiastically.
“Here goes. We’ve been friends forever and I think we should be more than friends. Now it took a long time for me to say this because I know that if you say no, it will ruin our friendship, and I want to keep that,” he says.
I am stunned. Its been at least a minute before I say anything.
“I want to, but I can’t. Ha, I should’ve gone first. I’m moving, and I won’t see you in California. I wanted to tell you sooner, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t even tell Rose, until just a few minutes ago. Please understand,” I say full of hope.
Justin’s face is blank.
He then leans in and whispers in my ear, “Well then, how about a goodbye kiss?”
I didn’t even have time to answer, he just started kissing me. It felt amazing and I thought an hour went by. Justin looked at me, smiled, looked down, and then walked away. I bit my lip, attractively. I looked up at the ceiling and saw swirls. He was the one, but now I lost him.
Chapter 5
I walk outside and see no sign of Justin. My mom pulls into the driveway and I hop in.
I ask her, “Mom, have you ever had a long distance relationship with somebody you really care about?”
“Yes, honey. I forgot his name, uh, Fred. Even though you may care for them, they are too far away and you know boys. They can’t be attached with one girl across the state with beautiful ladies all around them,” Mom says, sadly.
I love my mom, she is like a nosy teenager. She has the fashion and personality of a teen and is super cool.
“So, what you’re saying is that the guy cheats, big time,” I ask.
“Yeah, they just don’t hook up with one chick. Honey, why’d you ask me that,” She asks, being nosy.
“Justin asked me out, but I had to turn him down. Although if you don’t say anything to dad, I can tell you some details that you’ll love,” I laugh.
“Okay, go ahead,” She says.
“Well, he said, at the end of our little chat, how about a goodbye kiss, and then I was in heaven. I saw fireworks and it was amazing,”I say in one breath.
After that my mom is quiet. I try to start a conversation and it works. We talk about music and stuff like that. We reach home in no time. I run up to my room, hop on my bed, and just lay there. I can’t believe I’m leaving everything.
I hear three knocks on my door, “Dinners up,”
Mom walks into my room “Darling, is something wrong?”
I start crying, “Mom, you know how much I wanted to ask Justin out, he asked me and I’ll never get a chance to even see him again. And what about Rose, she cried when I told her. Its just, this town, this school, this state. Its my life and I don’t want to leave. Anyways,” I rub my eyes, “Why does Dad want to be a fisherman anyway? And, why do you approve? Do you want a man to smell like fish when he walks into bed at night. Its just so…..Ew,” I shake my whole body.
“Believe it or not, it’s his dream job. I think it is so disgusting but, you know how you always wanted to have a girl’s night, alone, well how about a girl’s..uh..year,”She asks, her shoulders lift up.
I was confused, I asked, “What are you talking about? Yeah, I always wanted a night but… huh?”
“Come on, dinner’s getting cold, hurry or I’ll eat it all,” Dad shouts.
“We’ll talk about it in the morning, oh and you have a few days to pack more. You can invite your friends over to help and chill out,” Mom says, rolling her shoulders.
“OK, that’s cool. Mom, you can go, I’ll meet you downstairs,” I say, pointing to the door.
Mom walks downstairs, I can hear her footsteps fading into the distance. I lay on my bed for about two seconds and get up and walk downstairs. I smell the aroma of dinner. My mouth is watering just smelling it. I can smell meatloaf and gravy with cheesy mashed-potatoes. I can smell mom’s homemade apple cider. Its delicious. My dad already made my plate, I take it and start walking up to my room.
My father stops me, “No, you’re going to stay here, we’ve got plenty to discuss.”
I nod my head and bring my plate back to the table. The table is round with four chairs. We used to fill the whole table, but my brother, Steve, died. He had this brain disease. I forgot what the doctors called it, but everyday I don’t stop thinking about him. Anyways, mom sat at the chair closest to me. I guess she felt bad about me leaving my friends, so she sat by me.
“Your mother told me that you don’t want to move, you’ll miss all your friends, correct?” Dad asks, firmly.
“Yeah, you sound angry,” I say.
“Well your mother and I had an argument. The point is is that you have no choice, were leaving tomorrow,”Dad sounds strict.
I look at mom, and slowly look back at dad, “Mom told me that we had about three days so I could get my final goodbyes. Dad, this is so unfair!”
“No if, ands, or buts about it, young lady. Were leaving and thats final!”
“But Dad!”
“No, not another word!”
“OK, how about three? I hate you!” I throw my fork down, smashing the plate.
I trudge to my bedroom and hear my mom get up. She says something, I can barely hear it. I’m already in my bedroom crying.
I hear mom say, “Bob, this is so like you. God, we’ll talk in the morning.”
And, I hear the door slam and Dad say, “Why can’t she just understand?”
I don’t know who he is talking about. But I know I’m tired and still crying. I jump on the bed and cry myself to sleep. I wish dad could just….just….leave.
Be Careful What You Wish For….
Chapter 6
RING…..RING….. Ugh, its 7:03 and I forgot to unset my alarm clock. SLAM!!! That can’t be good.
I hear mom screaming, “Bob, you know she wants to stay here. You were a big jerk last night, you know that? She wants to stay! Let her!”
“This is just like you Iris! You put things off all the time. I’m sick of it. You can have your dreams of an artist but I can’t have mine. Just because your a famous artist, doesn’t mean you can be a prima dona,” Dad yells.
“Oh so now you think I’m a witch, is what your saying? So you can poison Katy and you think I’m a witch? This is my house.” Mom replies.
I’m confused, and who’s Katy?
“Yeah?” Dad asks, like something terrible is about to happen.
Mom says it again, quieter, “This is my house.”
“Okay, you established that. Sweetie, your not,”
“Yes, leave. I want you out before Teal wakes up, she won’t stand for this!”
“Sweet,”
“Don’t! Call me tonight so I can move your things,” I hear a clank on the floor.
I open the door, quietly, and walk down the stairs. I see dad standing and mom sitting at the kitchen table. Oh God no! It’s mom’s wedding ring! I make a noise, so they know I’m coming, and walk downstairs.
Dad quickly picks up the ring, comes over to me, and says, “Honey, I’ve got some things to do before we leave, if we leave, and I won’t be back for awhile. Your mother will decide wether you, we, go to Cali or not.”
He comes over to hug me and kisses me on the cheek. I have a tear in my eye. I didn’t mean what I said last night. The one time one of my wishes come true and its a bad thing! Dad looks at mom and heads for the door, grabs his coat, and is gone.
“Mom, last night,” I didn’t finish.
“I know you heard, everything. Didn’t you,” She asks.
“Yeah, and I wanted to say something last night, but I was to angry. You know how I always wanted to be a star,” Mom nods, “Well, I looked up a few weeks ago the opportunities that could make me famous. I have a good voice and I won three contests last year because of it. I made up my mind and I want to go!” I wanted to ask who Katy was, but I didn’t.
“Honey, its not that. Well, its half of what the fight was about, but thats not it entirely,” Mom says.
“Well,” I wait for an answer.
“We had a baby a few months ago, when I went on my business trip. You probably saw that I gained a few pounds,” I nod. I’m still thinking who Katy is, “ Well, she was born, and I told your father about it. Remember that night you were alone? When I was sleeping, he... killed her. I…..,” She doesn’t finish. She runs to the bathroom.
I was guessing that Katy was the baby. I could’ve had a baby sister! That murderer. I can’t believe it. I have a tear in my eye.
Mom returns and says, “Dear I am so sorry. Its just he took her to the hospital and told them to inject her with this medicine that kills you quicker than you can say super-calla-frege-a-listic-ex-be-a-la-docious! I woke up and I noticed he wasn’t next to me. I looked for the baby and I panicked. I called the cops and before I could even dial the last 1 your father came in. I hung up and asked your father, at least he’s honest. I can still hear that fragile voice, ‘I killed her’. I grabbed him and he almost killed me. Honey, your father has been acting really strange, and we should get away from him for awhile. We will go to Cali, but only if you want too. I’m not rushing an answer, but your father wants to come back, probably, as soon as he can.”
“Mom, I…I want to go. I’ll make new friends, and I’ve always wanted to see my favorite singers. It’ll be an opportunity of a lifetime,”I finish.
I feel kind of heart-broken because I’m leaving everybody, and I have a choice. I nod to my mom and I get a cup of coffee. When I finish it I go up to my room. I go to my phone and dial Rose’s phone number. I look at the clock, Way to early!! I decide to call her in two hours or so. I lay on my bed, thinking what a little sister would be like in my life. I then go back downstairs and watch t.v. for an hour. I get breakfast, waffles with my mom’s homemade fruit sauce. I then look at the clock and go back upstairs. I call Rose, voicemail…..
I say “Hey Rose, its Teal. I was wondering if you wanted to maybe come over today. I need to pack but maybe, if you can help me, we can hang out afterwards. Call me later.”
I then dial Justin’s number, he answers!
“Hello,” He says.
“Hi its Teal. Look I’m having a get together today, do you wanna come,”I ask.
“Uh, I can’t hanging with, uh….,” There was a long pause.
“Hello,” I ask.
Then I heard the hang up noise. What a jerk! He has to lie, and then he hangs up!
RING, RING!!! It’s Rose.
“Hey.”
“Hey, yeah I’m on my way over.”
“OK, see you then,” Then the hang up sound again.
Is it hang up on Teal day today? I hear the doorbell ring and I rush downstairs. I open the door and it’s Rose. We both run upstairs. We both sit on the bed.
Rose looks around the room, sighs, and says, “When we going to start?”
She has a sad look in her eyes.
“I guess now ‘cause we don’t really have time.” I say.
“OMG I wish you were never moving! Oh, and where’s your dad?” Rose asks.
“Oh, uh, my Mom and Dad had a fight last night about my feelings about moving,” I reply.
I wanted to tell Rose about Katy, but I didn’t want her to worry.
“I’ll get the boxes. You start unpacking clothes and folding them. I’ll be right back.” I say.
Rose nods and I get the boxes. I go downstairs, get them, then go back up. I hear long sobs. It’s Rose! I listen and it sounds like she’s writing something. I then hear her get up. I run in the bathroom. She runs downstairs. I drop the boxes and go into my bedroom. My vase is on the floor, smashed. The bed’s sheets are torn off the bed. There is a note posted on my wall. It says:
“Teal, I know you have a choice to go. Your mom told me. I called her this morning. Why do you choose to go. I want you to stay! Why, Teal? WHY!?”
I am flabbergasted. Why did she have to tear up my room? I want to call her, but I’m afraid that she won’t answer. If she wants to be that way I won’t call her, anymore or even see her, anymore! I am furious. I want to tell my mom, but that would pee her off. I start cleaning the glass. I got that from dad. NO! I shouldn’t think of that now. After that’s done I start packing my clothes. I want to leave as soon as possible. I wish I could leave today, or tomorrow! Whatever. I’m indignant. I’m finished with the clothes. I leave a few clothes out for about a week. I start packing my valuables. Glass, ceramics, that stuff. I’m almost finished with my room. Can’t wait to leave!
Chapter 7
It’s been a week and we are done packing! I miss Rose. I wish she never left. It would’ve been fine if she didn’t leave. She has serious anger issues. I laugh in my head. I get a bagel and I look at my mom. She knows I’m tired. It’s 4 A.M and we’re ready to leave for the airport. I sent Rose a text message saying I’m sorry for everything. She won’t respond. I get one last glance at the house. I go up to my room and sit in the middle of the floor. I get my pillow for the ride to the Airport. I close my eyes for a minute and remember all the good times I had in this house. Rose coming over, gossip, parties, dance parties. Then Justin coming over, not knowing that Justin liked me, study ‘dates’, and fun. Wow, I am really going to miss New York. I open my eyes and get up. I walk downstairs looking around. It feels like this house is an old friend. Like we had a couple downs, but they just come back to good again. It’s like leaving a very homely friend. Like Rose… I can’t think about her right now, I want to think about Cali. I get in the car and I take a nap.
When I wake up Mom says, “We are very close to the airport. If you look, you can see a lot of planes.”
I look and I see the RyanAir plane. It’s huge. To tell you the truth, I have never been on a plane. I’m kind of excited! I can’t wait!
-———————————-
When we arrive, I put my suitcase on the spinny thing. This airport is so crowded. Must be ‘Get out of New York’ day. My mom and I get to the airport lady. (As you can see, I don’t know much about airports.)
Mom hands her the tickets and the lady says “Have a nice AirRide day!”
She has that fake smile. I’m guessing AirRide is the airport. I get on the plane and we are ready to go. We are riding in Coach. It’s way better than low class, I guess. I wonder what the High class is? Anyways, my mom orders vegetables, she’s trying to be on a diet. I order a cookie and a Mountain Fizz. I get the window seat, yay! We hear the ‘Fasten Your Seat-belts’ voice and hear the engines take off. I am exhilarated. It’s a weird feeling. It seems like were going three miles per hour. As soon as we take off my ears pop. I hate when that happens. I finally try the cookie. It’s disgusting. I swear I saw hair on it. Gross! I’m afraid what Mom will think when she tastes the veggies. I look out my window and all I can see is clouds. I am so tired, I am gonna take a power nap.
----------------------------------------
Oh my gosh! We’re here! I look at mom and she is still sleeping. I shake her and she finally wakes up.
“Mom, we’re here!” I say, excitedly.
“Okay, I was meaning to ask you this, but I had a senior moment. LOL! But,where do you want to go first?” She asks, trying to make up for her senior moment.
“Hollywood, all the way!”I say, electrified.
“Alright-y Aphrodite,”Mom says.
I get my luggage and mom’s from over top of my head. I then wait for mom to get out of her seat so I can get out. I’m so adrenalized! I definitely want to go to the beach later and maybe get my mind off Justin. I’m so mad about him, I can’t even think straight.
I ask mom if maybe we can eat first. I’m starved! Mom and I go into the airport to grab our bigger luggage. Our other stuff, like couches and junk, is getting sold because all the...wait. Since dad bought the house by the shore, where are we going to live?
I ask mom “Mom? Where are we going to stay, you know, since dad bought the other place?”
“Well, I bought a place on my own on tuesday. I know how you wanted to try to become famous and all so it’s here in Hollywood! I hope that’s okay,” Mom says.
I pause for like 20 seconds, holding up the luggage line behind me.
I scream “NO WAY!!!”
Mom thought it was a bad thing, I just see the look on her face.
She then starts apologizing “Honey, I already bought the place. If I thought you didn’t like it...”
“Like it?” I ask, trying to play the ‘I hate what you done’ game.
We both start walking towards the door, then we go to the bus stop.
“Well, I thought you would be happy. You know, you would see your favorite stars and such.”
I look at her with cunning eyes and I hug her.
“Mom, I was only kidding. I’m so happy right now!! I can’t believe it! My dreams are finally coming true!”
“Oh. Okay, so where do you want to eat,” She asks.
“Well, by the beach. I”m kind of in the mood for sea food,” I say.
“Honey, I can’t afford seafood right now. I just spent $1,600 on our air fare. Um, how about McGreen’s. They have the best fast food,” Mom says, trying not to hurt my feelings.
She has never said no to me, about anything for that matter. So I’m kind of stunned. But, I don’t care. After all she’s done for me, I should be at her feet, worshipping her.
“Oh, that’s okay. I still love you,” I say.
So, the bus finally comes and we don’t say a word. We are both just looking at the sights in California. It’s so beautiful, and it’s really hot. We finally arrive at our stop, right next to McGreens. We walk in and everyone just looks at us. I feel like a tourist. Anyways, it’s packed and we just wait, talking occasionally. 10 minutes go bye and we’re finally up. I order fries, a burger, a Diet Up and an apple pie. Mom gets the salad, small fries, and a Diet Fizz. We wait yet another 10 minutes and eat outside on the lawn. Wow, California is beautiful. But, I miss Rose too much. We eat for about 20 minutes and throw the garbage away. We go the bus stop yet again and wait for it. We see the bus, and we start to get on.
The bus driver stops us and says “Sorry, all buses are full today.”
He gestures us to get off, closes the door and drives away.
“Wow, really nice, jerk!” Mom shouts.
I laugh to myself quietly.
“So, are you ready to walk 3 miles,” Mom asks, angry like.
“3 miles! Wow, people are jerks around here!” I am really mad but then I say, “At least we can walk and see things. You know, like a..uh...homemade tour,” I say, thinking on the spot.
“I guess, it’s our only choice. But, today has been long enough, let’s go home. I know you don’t want to, but it would be nice. I’m tired,” She explains.
“Ugh, okay,” I sigh.
“But, hey. Our stuff is there. You remember Jim, with the plane? He dropped our things off and hopefully they are there. We just have to work a little. Okay?” Mom asks.
“Yep. Is the house two story?” I inquire.
“No, it’s an apartment, for now. As soon as I find a job, and get a little more cash, we will buy a better house. But, for now, money isn’t coming so fast. My last check should come in by Friday. So let’s see, 1...2...3 more days. Then we can shop. And we have all summer to chill. So, hopefully we can go school shopping sooner,” Mom described.
“Oh, and about school. Where am I gonna go?”
“Cali High. It’s gonna be great, and you only live a block away, so you don’t have to ride the bus. It’s gonna be great,” Mom repeated.
“Awesome!” I say.
We start walking. I see plenty of guys walk down the street. Even though I’m 14 and young, I can still flirt. I just stare, no harm done, right? I see mom looking, too. EW! Old people shouldn’t stare at younger guys, it’s just gross! An hour goes by and we’re at the house. Can’t wait to see my new room, and life.
Chapter 8
I walk in the apartment and I’m shocked. I didn’t know apartments looked so great! I take a look around. First, I see all the furniture in the place. The apartment is like a coca-brown shade, and so is our furniture. It’s a perfect match! I then walk into the kitchen. The kitchen has a small, square, chestnut table with three chairs. The cabinets are the same color, and they are huge. The sink is like a brown, maroon color, and it’s porcelain. The kitchen is stunning. I then walk down the hall into the bathroom. It’s basically like any bathroom, but smaller. It’s white, and has enough room to fit a person, a toilet, and a bathtub. I walk across the hall into my mom’s room. It’s really big. It has a lavender carpet, a king size bed, and two huge dressers with a flat screen tv on one of the dressers. I then walk in through her room and take a left. I look around and it’s a blank room. There’s only a lavender carpet and walls. It’s pretty big I guess. I then run into the kitchen and look for mom.
“Mom!” I shout.
“What baby?” Mom replies.
“Where’s all my stuff?”
“That’s why I said we would have to work. We have to go to the garage where your things are kept. Hopefully the car is here, because I am NOT walking 15 miles to get your bed!”
I say “Okay, I’ll go check, jeese!”
I walk towards the door and go outside into the garage. I do see a car, it looks like dad’s! I run back into the house and I see dad talking to mom. I just pause. Mom and dad look back at me. I run into the bathroom and slam the door.
“I’m sorry for what I have done. I see you’re in California, she decided yes?” Dad asks.
“Yes, she wanted to fulfill her dream of being a star, make new friends, and start a new life. I’m also working on that,” Mom says.
“Of becoming a star?”
“No, starting a new life, without you.”
I gasp. I love dad, I don’t want him to leave. And I doubt mom will let him have some custody of me.
“What!” Dad screams.
“I don’t love you anymore. I’ve been feeling this ever since...” Mom hesitated.
I open the door a sliver. Enough so I can see my parents, without them seeing me.
“Ever since, Katy,” Dad looks down towards his feet.
“That was going to be Teals’s baby sister!” Mom shouts.
“But, I also went to the doctor and asked a question,” Dad says, cunningly.
“Well, what’s that?” Mom looks worried.
“I found out that Katy....” Dad pauses.
“What!” Mom screams.
“Is not my child!” Dad shouts back.
I have a tear in my eye. My mother’s a cheater! I’m dumbfounded. How could she do this? I walk out of the bathroom and stare at my mom. She has a dumb look on her face.
“Mom, how could you? Why would you?” I interrogate.
“I..I..I was sick of your father, going away, on “business”,” Mom air quotes.
“What do you mean, Iris,” Dad asks, looking uneasy.
“I talked to your secretary. Seems like she cares for you a lot,” Mom says. I know where she is going with this.
“I’m leaving. And, never coming ba...” Dad doesn’t finish.
“I know that you,” Mom looks at me.
“Leave,” Mom directed, pointing towards the door.
Dad knew what she was going to say. He gives me a kiss, and an envelope. I watch him walk out the door. I look out the window and see him pull out of the driveway with his car. I don’t look at the paper, not yet anyway.
“So. Was the car in the driveway?” Mom asks, trying to get off the subject.
I look at her with an awkward look. She knew I was going to ask her questions.
“Whatever you put across, you know he deserved it,” Mom points out.
I nod my head, slightly.
“Whatever, I...I hate this summer. Can we get our stuff tomorrow? After what I’ve heard...I just can’t take it. Can I sleep on the couch, please?”I request.
Mom nods her head. She looks very, dejected.
“What do you wanna eat tonight, angel?” Mom asks. She has a very depressed tone.
“Pizza, I guess. Let’s try to turn this night around, okay?” I inquire.
“Ya. I’d like that. I mean, I guess it’s our first night in Cali. Why don’t you sleep with me. I mean, movies all night. I already have NetMovie. It’s a movie thing,” Mom explains.
I smile, and nod my head.
I then ask mom “Where are the tweezers?”
“Um, in the reddish dresser. Second shelf. Why?”
“Well, a girl needs perfect eyebrows in California, Mom.” I say.
I then start walking into mom’s bedroom. I then remember that dad handed me an envelope. I sit on the bed and open it. It looks like a check. I reach in the envelope quickly and grab the paper. It is a check for one thousand dollars! I run to mom and I hand her the check. I’m jumping up and down. Mom smiles, but the smile turns quickly to a frown.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“I think your dad is trying to buy you,” Mom interprets.
“What! Are you crazy mom? I chose you, remember,” I say.
“Well, were saving it for school, okay. You have three hundred dollars in your bank account. We’ll use that for shopping, okay? I already ordered the pizza. Anchovies, right?” Mom asks.
“EESSHH no!!!” I shout.
“Ha ha ha! I know, onions and peppers. The sweet peppers, right” She asks again.
“Ya mom, thanks. I love you,” I smile.
Chapter 9
Bright new morning in Cali. I look over towards my mom and she is still sleeping. I get up and walk towards the living room. Ugh, I feel a mess. I walk towards the bathroom and I take a quick shower. After I’m done I walk towards my bedroom, with a towel covering me of course, and get my duffel bag that mom left on the floor. I pick it up and go to the empty room. Today is going to be a long day. I pick out shorts and a rose colored tank top. I hear a knock and remember that mom’s still sleeping, I get dressed quickly and run towards the door. I open it and it’s a man.
“Um, hello,” I say
“Hi, are you Iris Osmond?” the man asks.
“No, my mother’s sleeping. Can I take a message?”
“Well, are you Teal-Marie Osmond?” he asks again.
“Uh, yeah. Do I know you?”
“Actually, I have a couple packages for you. Are you 16 or older?”
“Yes,” I lie.
“Sign here,” he gives me this iPad to sign my name.
He then hands me two packages and says, “Have a nice day ma’am!”
I close the door. I look at the packages in my hand one stacked on top of the other. A small, rectangular ones is on the top while a vast one is at the bottom. Packages, for me? I consider. I decide to make mom a nice breakfast. I walk towards the kitchen and look at the clock. 8 a.m and a package delivery at this hour? Suspicious... I lay the package on the counter, I don’t want to get in trouble. I plan to make mom an omelet, bacon, and homemade biscuits. I’m really good with cooking, sometimes. First I decide to make the bacon. So I go to the 70’s looking fridge and open it. SHOOT!! I forgot that we don’t have food yet. Ugh!!! I want to make mom happy, after all she’s done for me. I decide to let her sleep and as I watch t.v. I turn get the remote and surf the channels. I’m so bored! I say quietly to myself. This commercial turns up, and it’s about home phones. I miss Justin and Rose. I decide to call them. I look at the clock, but remember it’s pointless since theres a 5 hour difference between here and New York. It’s about 1 to 2 o’clock over there. First, I call Rose..... She answers!
“Hello,” Rose says.
“Hi, Rose,” I say back.
“Who is this?”
“Teal. Just wanted to say hi, from Cali,” I say in a peppy kind of voice.
“Teal? I don’t know a Teal,” Rose explains.
“Rose, stop it. It’s done, over with, I miss you,” I elucidate.
“Yeah, your right. It is done,”
Then I hear the hang up sound. How long is she going to keep up on this. I miss her so much, it’s driving me crazy. She doesn’t have to be so bitter. I mean she is, was, my best friend and I guess were done.
Mom wakes up “Teal, Teal!”
I run into her bedroom, “I’m right here mom. What’s the problem?”
“Oh,” Mom puts her hand on her head, “I’m just a little off this morning, who was at the door?”
“The mailman, he dropped off two packages. It must be urgent ‘cause I know the mailman doesn’t drop off random packages at eight in the morning,” I describe.
“Great,” Mom lights up smiling.
“Why is it Great!” I mock mom.
“Well, because...I bought you something,” Mom fades off with her voice.
I start running towards the kitchen. Mom stops me and says, “Not. So. Fast.”
I start walking back to mom’s bedroom. I have a sign of grief on my face. Mom could see it also.
Mom says, “Okay, only the smallest one.”
I light up with a huge smile and get the smallest package. It’s quite light. I walk back to mom’s bedroom, I sit on her bed and open it. It’s a one hundred dollar gift card!! I smile, look back, and hug mom.
“Well, I better get ready. We have a ha-uge day today,” Mom explains.
I nod and walk back into the living room.
chapter 10
As we are finishing breakfast at Sally’s Eat In Diner, mom explains that we have to go to Storage Fasters. It’s a storage place, and we need to eat quickly. I scarf down my pancakes and orange juice. I see mom is looking at the time.
“I’m done,” I say to mom.
Mom says, “Check please,” to the waitress next to her.
We wait and talk about random stuff for the past five minutes. Mom pays the inexpensive bill and we leave. We drove a storage truck here, I mean fifty bucks for a day is pretty cheap, might as well use the day. We start to go to the storage place and it’s basically 30 minutes away from Sally’s. I am quiet the whole way there. We finally arrive and I’m blind. What I mean is that the you can’t miss the place. I mean there’s a huge sign that has Storage Fasters in massive lighted letters, even though it’s in the day. Not including the sign, the shacks where the stuff is enclosed in, the shacks are painted bright, bright orange. Lets say I was blind, I would get my eyesight back, thanks to these bright colors. I’m now thinking I’m kind of thirsty. I ask mom if I can go across the street to get some soda. Mom nods and I go across the not so busy street. I walk in and I accidentally bump into this girl.
“Sorry, I don’t help the homeless,” She says to me.
This girl is the typical California chick. She has the tan skin, I felt like a ghost compared to her. She also had the blonde hair with the light brown streaks. The big blue eyes, the sunburn lightly on her cheeks that looks like permanent blush. Not to mention the snotty attitude.
“Um, my bad,” I apologize, not knowing what else to say.
“Ya, no kidding, wow, you must be new.” She says, looking me over.
“Uh-huh, how’d you guess?” I ask.
“Um, the drab hair, the shitty clothes and you are really pale. There’s this thing called...tanning,” She explains.
“Uh, yeah I know what tanning is. I wasn’t born yesterday,” I say, starting to get mad.
“Well, you could of fooled me. Listen, I can’t be seen talking to you, bye!” She wanders off.
I then run up to her, grab her by her shoulders and break her little nose job off. Nah, i’m just kidding, but seriously that’s what I really wanted to do. She needs to lay off the bitchy-pills or something. I then get my drink and bring it to the cash register. Next, I run outside to see if she was still there. I look all over and of course, she’s no where to be seen. I walk across the street and spot mom. I run across the street and I don’t tell mom what just happened. That would scare her to death and I wouldn’t be able to go outside on my own, again.
“Took long enough. You okay?” Mom asks, sounding worried.
“Yeah, I just tripped, but it’s all good,” I explain.
“You tripped for 10 minutes?” Mom questions, knowing somethings up.
“Uh, I dropped my drink so I had to get a new one and the line was long and...” I explain, not finishing my sentence.
“Okay, I understand,” Mom laughs.
NOT FINISHED
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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 16.02.2012
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