My Past: By Jenna James
Chapter One
There was an accident, she’s gone”
These were the words. The words that rattled Chloe to her core. The words that brought pain and heartbreak onto her like a plague. The words that left the deep, irreplaceable scars on her heart. The mere remembrance of these words made Chloe’s heart ache as she sat on the carpeted floor of her room, well I suppose it would be her new room, with her back against the wall and her knees drawn to her heart. After the ache came a broken exhale that lead tears to stream down her face. Chloe wrapped her arms around herself, she had been able to keep everything together until now. Now she was alone, giving all effort to muffle sobs into her coat sleeve. The last thing Chloe needed was for Cary or Randy to hear her, Chloe too tired to deal with the endless are-you-oks.
After a while Chloe caught her breath, the effort it took to keep her sobs quiet drained all the energy she had left. Jet-lagged and exhausted Chloe climbed into her new bed and fell asleep. She had no dreams.
. . .
The crash was on a Monday. Susan, Chloe’s mother was hit by a distracted driver two busy texting to see the red light. Somehow the sixteen-year-old boy survived with minor injuries, but Susan wasn’t so lucky. Tuesday was the court to decide charges on the boy, The whole day chloe never looked at anyone other than him. Sick with guilt he could barely lift his head to answer questions for speak his testimony, when he dared to glance at Chloe her glare struck him worse than lightning, he didn’t look her direction again. The boy was charged with distracted driving and man-slaughter, he got license revocation, a hand full of fines and probation but no jail time. This very well could have been due to his lawyer pulling the “he’s only sixteen” card and when education was brought into the argument, Chloe could see he had the judge eating out of his hands. Somehow Chloe was able to muster the will to stay quiet in her seat, when in her mind,she was being faced with such injustice by the judge’s decision.
After court Morgan and Chloe went back to Chloe’s house, Chloe was aloud to stay in her home until custody agreements were made as long as a social worker stayed with her, Morgan was that social worker. Chloe liked Morgan, she had bright red hair that she kept in a giant bun of braids, Morgan was also the only one who treated Chloe as a person instead of a tragedy.
“Your uncle called during court today, I told him I would call him back when we got to the house.” Morgan said
“Fine” Chloe said with an undertone of irritation as she stared out the car window.
The two arrived at a small brick house. Chloe hopped out of Morgan grey SUV, trudged through the kitchen and sat down at the dining room table. Morgan placed her tote bag down on the shoe table, pulled out her phone and tapped the little white box labeled Robert. He picked up instantly, Chloe could hear the conversation from the table.
“Hello. Yes, she’s fine, yes, of course,”
Morgan walked in to the dining room and extended the phone to Chloe.
“He wants to talk to you” Morgan said
Chloe took the phone.
“Hello” she said
“Hello, Chloe are you ok, ar-are you hurt?!” Robert said, his voice was panicking.
“I’m fine, I’m not hurt,”
“I’m so sorry about what happened, I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. Listen I’m driving to florida tonight.”
“What no, by the time you get here everything will be taken care of,”
“Then I’ll take a plane”
“It’s nearly a five hour flight, and what about Randy’s fear of heights. It’s just better if you stay in California.” It wasn’t much of an argument, Chloe was irritable while her uncle was comforting.
“I’ll just catch a plane to California”
“By yourself?!”
“I’ll be fine, bye!” Chloe hung up.
Wednesday was court day for custody agreements. It was a short day, the jury looked over Uncle Robert’s personal files, figuring out who is was and making sure he was safe. It was no surprise Susan’s will was brought into the discussion. It was clearly stated that if anything were to happen to her, Chloe would live with her uncle in California. Chloe knew this of course, everyday since her mother’s death, she would read through it.The judge silenced the court.
“And custody of the minority, Chloe Britmore has been granted to Mr. Robert Britmore. Court is adjourned.”
BAM!
Chloe’s heart had sunk at these words, she was silent the whole drive home. At dinner there was only the occasional click of chopsticks against take out cartons. Morgan was silent too, the great thing about her was she knew when someone needed to talk and when not to. Chloe went to her room early that night to pack. She did her best to cram as much as she could into large military bag and two suitcases. Not the kind of suitcases you role behind you with multiple handles, but the kind with one handle you use to carry at your side, metal clips to keep it shut, and a leather cover over it’s hard case.
On Friday morning Morgan printed off Chloe’s plane ticket, but didn’t get a chance to give it to her until 4:30pm. Chloe spent her remaining time in Florida in her room, she didn’t want the last time her friends would see her for month’s to be sad. Chloe and Morgan left for the airport at 4:30pm. They were 30 minutes out when Morgan finally broke the silence by saying.
“It was nice of your uncle to pay for your plane ticket.”
“Mh” Chloe hummed with disinterest. The car was silent for a minute.
“So what’s the deal between you two, I mean he seems like a nice guy,” Morgan said addressing the elephant in the room. Chloe’s expression went from sadness to irritation.
“Is he mean for something?” Morgan said still prying at the question.
“What?! No no, it’s nothing like that. It’s just…… I used to live in California, and kids picked on me a lot about stuff that wasn’t even about me it was about him and I guess I just blamed him,” Chloe said. There was silence again, Morgan had a sympathetic expression, Chloe continued.
“The last time I even saw my uncle was in the wedding photos he had sent last year.” The rest of the 30 minute silence was filled with music or Morgan saying something sarcastic about a radio commercial. When they finally reached the airport, Morgan hugged Chloe goodbye and gave her her number.
“You call me if you need anything kid, ok?”
“Sure, bye.” Chloe said before walking through the sliding doors. The airport was full as usual with bustling people and tourists taking selfies with some historic memorial. Chloe looked down at her ticket and headed to gate C. She got many questioning looks from passing strangers and security check, as if she were running away from home for something. Chloe didn’t blame their assumptions, from the huge, overfilled military book bag, old suitcases, all-weather army coat and her hand-me-down Doc Martens Chloe looked like she was leaving a whole life behind, which in a sense she was. When Chloe finally boarded the plane, the two seats next to her remained empty. This aloud Chloe to set her book bag in them, because it wouldn’t fit under her seat.Chloe gazed out the window, watching her home fly by.
By the time her plane had landed it was 9:34pm. Chloe picked up her suitcases at baggage claim and trod towards the airport lobby. Going down an escalator, she began to search for her uncle’s anxious face in the crowd only to find across the lobby a lean man with long black hair in a ponytail, holding a sign labeled Chloe Britmore. Chloe recognized him from the wedding photos. He caught Chloe’s eye contact and raised his hand in a mild wave, Chloe waved her hand in reply as she walked towards the man, he looked down at her.
“You must be Chloe.” He said in a calm voice
“You must be Venis” Chloe said trying to be polite. Venis walked Chloe walked to the parking lot. The moment the automatic doors opened to the carpool lane, Chloe gritted her teeth as the frigid December air struck her. She shifted her toboggan over her ears. Venis offered to carry Chloe’s suitcases, but she declined, clenching the handle helped distract Chloe from the cold.
When they finally arrived at the parking deck, Venis opened the trunk of a silver 3012 model Lexis. Chloe put her bags in and sat in the passenger seat, she forgot how quiet silence was until she was away from the wind shouting in her ears. Venis got into the driver's seat, buckled his seat belt and started the car, Chloe buckled her’s as well. Venis pulled the car around and drove out of the airport, towards the house.
“By the time we get to the house it’ll be after dinner, there’s still a few fast food restaurants open if you’re hungry.” Venis offered
“I ate on the plane.” Chloe lied, she wasn’t hungry. The house was an hour away from the airport. When they got there, Chloe looked up at it. The house had changed since the last time she was here, it was repainted to a light blue color, the patio was bigger with chairs and a grill, there were two new cars and there was a fence wall now, separating the house from the ally way. Venis pulled into the driveway behind a brown Buick. Chloe got out still staring at the house, there was a yellow tent from the street lamp, she got her bags from the trunk. The wind pushed her as she walked up the wooden steps and to the front door. Chloe sat one of her suitcases on the ground to free her hand, she took a breath and opened the door. Chloe walked through.
Everyone was in the living room. Cary, Randy and a girl with blond hair were sitting on the couch. Cary stood at the sight if Chloe, Randy who had been sitting next to her with his face in his hands now looked up from them, while the girl, resting her head on her fist with a bored look on her face now slightly tilted her head to look at Chloe. Drake was in a separate chair with a closed book next. Uncle Robert who had been pacing now stopped. All eyes were on Chloe. They all shared a similar, sympathetic expression, except for the girl. Uncle Robert walked over to Chloe.
“I don’t know what to say, I’m so sorry.” He said, Chloe shrugged, she didn’t quite know what to say. He walked past her to Venis. Venis hung his black trench coat on the coat rack by the door, they pecked each other on the lips and talked about traffic quietly. Cary walked over to Chloe and wrapped her arms around her.
“I missed you, are you ok?” she said.
“Yeah” Chloe lied.
“Are those Drake’s Doc Martens?” Randy said
“You’ve taken good care of them.” Drake said.
“Oh, I almost forgot, Chloe this is Reed our new sister.” Cary said introducing the blond girl.
“Step-sister.” Reed corrected looking at Cary. Chloe recognized Reed from the wedding photos. The four of them talked until Uncle Robert and Venis walked over to the group.
“Alright gang, it’s been a long day for everyone, go get some rest.” Venis said. Everyone said goodnight before Chloe, Cary, Reed, Drake and Randy all walked up the wooden steps to the second floor. Randy’s and Drake’s rooms were the first two parallel to each other, Cary’s and Chloe’s rooms were the second while Reed’s was at the end of the hall on the right. Cary opened the door for Chloe. Chloe walked set her book bag and suitcases by the door. The room had a twin bed, purple walls, carpeted floors, a bathroom and a window. Cary looked in the room.
“It looks a bit rough now, but if you hang up some lights or some posters it could look really nice. Tomorrow if you want, we could go to the mall, pick up some decor stuff. It’ll be fun, we can act like sisters--” Chloe wasn’t listening, her heart was beginning to ache. Cary stopped talking and put her hand on Chloe’s shoulder.
“Hey, are you ok?” Cary asked thoughtfully, Chloe turned around.
“Yeah, I’m just tired, I think I’m gonna get some sleep.” Chloe lied, forcing a weak smile.
“Oh, ok. Goodnight” Cary said before leaving to her room. Chloe closed the door behind her, leaned on it and slowly sat next to her suitcases. So, here she was sitting on the floor of her new room, muffling sobs into her coat sleeve. She had been able to keep it all together until now. Now she was alone, now her life had changed forever.
These were the words. The words that rattled Chloe to her core. The words that brought pain and heartbreak onto her like a plague. The words that left the deep, irreplaceable scars on her heart. The mere remembrance of these words made Chloe’s heart ache as she sat on the carpeted floor of her room, well I suppose it would be her new room, with her back against the wall and her knees drawn to her heart. After the ache came a broken exhale that lead tears to stream down her face. Chloe wrapped her arms around herself, she had been able to keep everything together until now. Now she was alone, giving all effort to muffle sobs into her coat sleeve. The last thing Chloe needed was for Cary or Randy to hear her, Chloe too tired to deal with the endless are-you-oks.
After a while Chloe caught her breath, the effort it took to keep her sobs quiet drained all the energy she had left. Jet-lagged and exhausted Chloe climbed into her new bed and fell asleep. She had no dreams.
. . .
The crash was on a Monday. Susan, Chloe’s mother was hit by a distracted driver two busy texting to see the red light. Somehow the sixteen-year-old boy survived with minor injuries, but Susan wasn’t so lucky. Tuesday was the court to decide charges on the boy, The whole day chloe never looked at anyone other than him. Sick with guilt he could barely lift his head to answer questions for speak his testimony, when he dared to glance at Chloe her glare struck him worse than lightning, he didn’t look her direction again. The boy was charged with distracted driving and man-slaughter, he got license revocation, a hand full of fines and probation but no jail time. This very well could have been due to his lawyer pulling the “he’s only sixteen” card and when education was brought into the argument, Chloe could see he had the judge eating out of his hands. Somehow Chloe was able to muster the will to stay quiet in her seat, when in her mind,she was being faced with such injustice by the judge’s decision.
After court Morgan and Chloe went back to Chloe’s house, Chloe was aloud to stay in her home until custody agreements were made as long as a social worker stayed with her, Morgan was that social worker. Chloe liked Morgan, she had bright red hair that she kept in a giant bun of braids, Morgan was also the only one who treated Chloe as a person instead of a tragedy.
“Your uncle called during court today, I told him I would call him back when we got to the house.” Morgan said
“Fine” Chloe said with an undertone of irritation as she stared out the car window.
The two arrived at a small brick house. Chloe hopped out of Morgan grey SUV, trudged through the kitchen and sat down at the dining room table. Morgan placed her tote bag down on the shoe table, pulled out her phone and tapped the little white box labeled Robert. He picked up instantly, Chloe could hear the conversation from the table.
“Hello. Yes, she’s fine, yes, of course,”
Morgan walked in to the dining room and extended the phone to Chloe.
“He wants to talk to you” Morgan said
Chloe took the phone.
“Hello” she said
“Hello, Chloe are you ok, ar-are you hurt?!” Robert said, his voice was panicking.
“I’m fine, I’m not hurt,”
“I’m so sorry about what happened, I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. Listen I’m driving to florida tonight.”
“What no, by the time you get here everything will be taken care of,”
“Then I’ll take a plane”
“It’s nearly a five hour flight, and what about Randy’s fear of heights. It’s just better if you stay in California.” It wasn’t much of an argument, Chloe was irritable while her uncle was comforting.
“I’ll just catch a plane to California”
“By yourself?!”
“I’ll be fine, bye!” Chloe hung up.
Wednesday was court day for custody agreements. It was a short day, the jury looked over Uncle Robert’s personal files, figuring out who is was and making sure he was safe. It was no surprise Susan’s will was brought into the discussion. It was clearly stated that if anything were to happen to her, Chloe would live with her uncle in California. Chloe knew this of course, everyday since her mother’s death, she would read through it.The judge silenced the court.
“And custody of the minority, Chloe Britmore has been granted to Mr. Robert Britmore. Court is adjourned.”
BAM!
Chloe’s heart had sunk at these words, she was silent the whole drive home. At dinner there was only the occasional click of chopsticks against take out cartons. Morgan was silent too, the great thing about her was she knew when someone needed to talk and when not to. Chloe went to her room early that night to pack. She did her best to cram as much as she could into large military bag and two suitcases. Not the kind of suitcases you role behind you with multiple handles, but the kind with one handle you use to carry at your side, metal clips to keep it shut, and a leather cover over it’s hard case.
On Friday morning Morgan printed off Chloe’s plane ticket, but didn’t get a chance to give it to her until 4:30pm. Chloe spent her remaining time in Florida in her room, she didn’t want the last time her friends would see her for month’s to be sad. Chloe and Morgan left for the airport at 4:30pm. They were 30 minutes out when Morgan finally broke the silence by saying.
“It was nice of your uncle to pay for your plane ticket.”
“Mh” Chloe hummed with disinterest. The car was silent for a minute.
“So what’s the deal between you two, I mean he seems like a nice guy,” Morgan said addressing the elephant in the room. Chloe’s expression went from sadness to irritation.
“Is he mean for something?” Morgan said still prying at the question.
“What?! No no, it’s nothing like that. It’s just…… I used to live in California, and kids picked on me a lot about stuff that wasn’t even about me it was about him and I guess I just blamed him,” Chloe said. There was silence again, Morgan had a sympathetic expression, Chloe continued.
“The last time I even saw my uncle was in the wedding photos he had sent last year.” The rest of the 30 minute silence was filled with music or Morgan saying something sarcastic about a radio commercial. When they finally reached the airport, Morgan hugged Chloe goodbye and gave her her number.
“You call me if you need anything kid, ok?”
“Sure, bye.” Chloe said before walking through the sliding doors. The airport was full as usual with bustling people and tourists taking selfies with some historic memorial. Chloe looked down at her ticket and headed to gate C. She got many questioning looks from passing strangers and security check, as if she were running away from home for something. Chloe didn’t blame their assumptions, from the huge, overfilled military book bag, old suitcases, all-weather army coat and her hand-me-down Doc Martens Chloe looked like she was leaving a whole life behind, which in a sense she was. When Chloe finally boarded the plane, the two seats next to her remained empty. This aloud Chloe to set her book bag in them, because it wouldn’t fit under her seat.Chloe gazed out the window, watching her home fly by.
By the time her plane had landed it was 9:34pm. Chloe picked up her suitcases at baggage claim and trod towards the airport lobby. Going down an escalator, she began to search for her uncle’s anxious face in the crowd only to find across the lobby a lean man with long black hair in a ponytail, holding a sign labeled Chloe Britmore. Chloe recognized him from the wedding photos. He caught Chloe’s eye contact and raised his hand in a mild wave, Chloe waved her hand in reply as she walked towards the man, he looked down at her.
“You must be Chloe.” He said in a calm voice
“You must be Venis” Chloe said trying to be polite. Venis walked Chloe walked to the parking lot. The moment the automatic doors opened to the carpool lane, Chloe gritted her teeth as the frigid December air struck her. She shifted her toboggan over her ears. Venis offered to carry Chloe’s suitcases, but she declined, clenching the handle helped distract Chloe from the cold.
When they finally arrived at the parking deck, Venis opened the trunk of a silver 3012 model Lexis. Chloe put her bags in and sat in the passenger seat, she forgot how quiet silence was until she was away from the wind shouting in her ears. Venis got into the driver's seat, buckled his seat belt and started the car, Chloe buckled her’s as well. Venis pulled the car around and drove out of the airport, towards the house.
“By the time we get to the house it’ll be after dinner, there’s still a few fast food restaurants open if you’re hungry.” Venis offered
“I ate on the plane.” Chloe lied, she wasn’t hungry. The house was an hour away from the airport. When they got there, Chloe looked up at it. The house had changed since the last time she was here, it was repainted to a light blue color, the patio was bigger with chairs and a grill, there were two new cars and there was a fence wall now, separating the house from the ally way. Venis pulled into the driveway behind a brown Buick. Chloe got out still staring at the house, there was a yellow tent from the street lamp, she got her bags from the trunk. The wind pushed her as she walked up the wooden steps and to the front door. Chloe sat one of her suitcases on the ground to free her hand, she took a breath and opened the door. Chloe walked through.
Everyone was in the living room. Cary, Randy and a girl with blond hair were sitting on the couch. Cary stood at the sight if Chloe, Randy who had been sitting next to her with his face in his hands now looked up from them, while the girl, resting her head on her fist with a bored look on her face now slightly tilted her head to look at Chloe. Drake was in a separate chair with a closed book next. Uncle Robert who had been pacing now stopped. All eyes were on Chloe. They all shared a similar, sympathetic expression, except for the girl. Uncle Robert walked over to Chloe.
“I don’t know what to say, I’m so sorry.” He said, Chloe shrugged, she didn’t quite know what to say. He walked past her to Venis. Venis hung his black trench coat on the coat rack by the door, they pecked each other on the lips and talked about traffic quietly. Cary walked over to Chloe and wrapped her arms around her.
“I missed you, are you ok?” she said.
“Yeah” Chloe lied.
“Are those Drake’s Doc Martens?” Randy said
“You’ve taken good care of them.” Drake said.
“Oh, I almost forgot, Chloe this is Reed our new sister.” Cary said introducing the blond girl.
“Step-sister.” Reed corrected looking at Cary. Chloe recognized Reed from the wedding photos. The four of them talked until Uncle Robert and Venis walked over to the group.
“Alright gang, it’s been a long day for everyone, go get some rest.” Venis said. Everyone said goodnight before Chloe, Cary, Reed, Drake and Randy all walked up the wooden steps to the second floor. Randy’s and Drake’s rooms were the first two parallel to each other, Cary’s and Chloe’s rooms were the second while Reed’s was at the end of the hall on the right. Cary opened the door for Chloe. Chloe walked set her book bag and suitcases by the door. The room had a twin bed, purple walls, carpeted floors, a bathroom and a window. Cary looked in the room.
“It looks a bit rough now, but if you hang up some lights or some posters it could look really nice. Tomorrow if you want, we could go to the mall, pick up some decor stuff. It’ll be fun, we can act like sisters--” Chloe wasn’t listening, her heart was beginning to ache. Cary stopped talking and put her hand on Chloe’s shoulder.
“Hey, are you ok?” Cary asked thoughtfully, Chloe turned around.
“Yeah, I’m just tired, I think I’m gonna get some sleep.” Chloe lied, forcing a weak smile.
“Oh, ok. Goodnight” Cary said before leaving to her room. Chloe closed the door behind her, leaned on it and slowly sat next to her suitcases. So, here she was sitting on the floor of her new room, muffling sobs into her coat sleeve. She had been able to keep it all together until now. Now she was alone, now her life had changed forever.
Chapter Two
It was Saturday morning, Chloe woke up at 4:00am, she was still on Florida time. Too awake to go back to sleep, she opened the window next to her bed and stuck her head out expecting to feel a pleasant morning breeze, but instead felt an icy slap across her face as winds swooshed through her window. Chloe slammed it shut. The weather made her teeth chatter, she was definitely awake now. She hopped out of bed and went to get ready in her bathroom. One good thing about her uncle was he understood the importance of privacy. Every room in the Britmore house had its own tiny bathroom, complete with shower, sink and toilet.
Chloe brushed her teeth and combed her hair. Chloe’s hair was different, it was curly but in a way that looked like she fixed it everyday. Her mother called it “the Britmore curl” for she had the same quality in which she inherited from Chloe’s grandmother. After getting dressed chloe decided to unpack. It wasn’t really unpacking more like rummaging. She had so many possessions crammed into her bags, but nowhere to put them. Her room had no furniture other than the twin bed and Chloe would rather keep her things packed neatly in a bag then piled on the floor. While going through one of her suitcases Chloe came upon a rectangular object wrapped in a shirt. Not remembering what it was, Chloe unwrapped it. It was a black, wooden picture frame. Inside the frame was a photo of Susane in her normal office attire, beaming with pride while hugging Chloe, and of Chloe using one hand to hug her mom and the other to hold up a sparkling platinum trophy with the words 3017, National Science Fair, First Place engraved into its base. In the photo Chloe gave a huge smile showing all of her teeth, they were only slightly lighter than her pale skin. Chloe grinned at the photo in her hands, still remembering the feeling of holding her breath as her invention wasn’t called for 3rd or 2nd place. Unfortunately her nostalgic smile was quickly swept with grief into a mournful frown. Chloe stroked the side of the frame with her thumb.
“I miss you mom.” Chloe said quietly to herself.
. . .
Later that morning she decided to venture to the first floor. Chloe crept down the steps in hopes to get out of the house without anyone stopping her. Her plan was to make it to the door, announce “I’m going out for a walk, be back later, bye!”, then get out before someone answered. It was fool proof. The coast was clear, everyone was either in the kitchen or dining room. Sneaking through the living room Chloe could hear the clink of silverware, the whistle of a teapot being silenced and voices coming from the kitchen.
“Be nice Reed, she’s going through a lot.” said a calm male voice, Venis.
“You know, you two would actually make really great friends.” said a female voice, Cary.
“Just because we’re about the same age doesn’t mean we’re gonna be great friends.” said an annoyed younger female voice, Reed.
“Poor Chloe, I can’t imagine what she’s,” said a higher pitch male voice, Uncle Robert.
“I read an article about kids who lose their parents at her age-(his voice was becoming panicked again)-They-they end up joining gangs o-or becoming drug dealers or-”
“I’m pretty sure your ‘National Science Fair award winning niece’ isn’t going to become a drug dealer,” said Reed, her voice was sarcastic well as annoyed now. This was Chloe’s chance, she walked past the archway of the kitchen as quickly as possible to the front door. She only stopped with her hand hovering over the door knob when she heard.
“Oh! Chloe you’re awake.” Chloe gave a huge sigh and turned to face Cary as she left her stool to brightly meet Chloe at the door.
“Good news, Dad said it was ok if I use my car to take you to the mall,” Cary said through her smile.
“Actually I was just about t-” Chloe said, then she thought for a moment. As much as she didn’t want to spend a day with Cary and her constant need for conversation, Chloe needed furniture in her room.
“-to ask you about that.” Chloe finished dreadfully. Just then Reed walked from the kitchen towards the stairs. Cary turned around.
“Reed you want to come with us, we’re going shopping. It can be girl time!” Cary said gleefully. At these words and alarm went off in Reed’s head.
“Uh! Sorry, can’t, got homework.” Reed said before nearly sprinting up the steps.
“If Reed’s not coming, may I? I need to return and rent some books from the library.” Drake had appeared by the archway.
“Can I come too, I wanna pick up some new skates for hockey.” Randy appeared after Drake. Standing next to each other they were the same height.
“Yeah, sure” Cary said. Within minutes the three of them dispersed, leaving Chloe at the door while Cary went to her room to find the perfect pair of shoes for her outfit, Drake left to get his books and converses and Randy searched around the house for a pair of cleats. The four of them met at the door and called their goodbyes.
“Bye kids!” Uncle Robert called back.
“Have Fun!” Venis called, before the four of them walked out the door. Once they were outside the wind hit their faces. Cary, Drake and Randy all winced and squinted their eyes, but within a few minutes were back to normal. Unfortunately for Chloe the wind took her breath away and made her shiver as she adjusted her toboggan over her forehead. It was as jet black as her hair and from afar made it look as though a pair of cat ears had sprouted out of her head.
“I bet you don’t have weather like this in Florida.” Randy said having noticed Chloe’s state.
“‘Didn’t’ Randy, the proper term is ‘didn’t’.” Drake corrected not looking up from the open novel on top of a stack of books in his arms. The four walked down the wooden patio steps onto the sidewalk were the car was parallel parked. Cary opened the drivers door.
“Chloe you can sit in the front seat.” Cary said before shutting the door. Randy had already climbed into the back seat, Chloe looked to Drake.
“You don’t have to sit in the back seat just because I’m here” Chloe tried to keep her voice as steady as possible through her chattering teeth.
“I always sit in the back,” Drake said still reading his novel. It was as if he could see chloe’s confused look through his book.
“I always sit in the back due to it’s better conditions for reading.” Drake said climbing into the car. Chloe sat in the passenger seat, she was still cold in the car, but at least away from the wind. Cary cranked the car and was off to the mall.
“So, Chloe are you looking forward to school, you’ll get to go to FallBrook high with us,” Cary said 5 minute into the drive.
“I….I don’t know.” Chloe said hoping to avoid the conversation. Going back to school with possibly the same kids that tormented her wasn’t exactly something Chloe was looking forward to for wanted to talk about.
“Ah! Don’t worry about it. Anyone starts sh#t with you, you come to us.” Randy said.
“Randy! What did I say about the cursing!” Cary scolded.
“Whatever Dad!” Randy said sarcastically. Cary snatched a stress ball from the cup holder and threw it back at Randy, who dodged it laughing. After a few miles of multicolored houses, giant palm trees and winding bridges they arrived at a large shopping mall. It was like nothing Chloe had ever seen, the mall itself was three stories high and made up of big brand stores and restaurants forming a ‘C’ shape in the center of a huge parking lot, the ‘C’ was closed to a ‘O’ shape by independent restaurants and stores with little gaps in between for cars to enter and exit.Cary parked in a spot in between the mall and the restaurants. They all got out.
“Ok, so we’ll all meet back here in a few hours.” Cary said before Drake walked to a small library cafe, Randy trotted towards Ralph’s Sport Shop and Cary and Chloe went off towards the entrance of Tjmaxx. Once she was inside Chloe saw the whole store had been decorated head to toe for the holidays. There were islands displaying Christmas gifts and manikins in ugly Christmas sweaters and pajamas, ornament shaped signs hanging from the ceiling, informing customers about discounts, a sea of clothes surrounding a small building decorated to look like a gingerbread house and isles upon isles stuffed with an assortment of unique items. Chloe followed Cary through the rows of shelves ranging between kitchen to art supplies. There were no signs to tell which isle you were in, the shoppers just knew where everything was. Finally Cary stopped at the rim of a section that would have been labeled ‘Decor’.
After a few hours of looking through wall art, light fixtures, furniture and half listening to Cary’s comments of ‘Ooh this is cute’ and ‘look at this’ or ‘so and so has this’, Chloe decided on a few framed posters, cubicle bookshelves, floating shelves, a black and white desk with drawers and to make Cary shut up a box of fairy lights. Cary had offered several times to show Chloe the rest of the mall, but all Chloe wanted to do was get back to her room and unpack. In all honesty spending two more hours walking in and out of stores she didn’t need anything from wasn’t her idea of fun.
The two paid and left the store. Making two trips wasn’t an option so the two divided the bag weight between each other and stacked shelves on the desk. Struggling under the weight, Chloe and Cary stumbled to the car.
“Well - this was a - productive - trip.” Cary said gasping halfway to the car. When they were nearly to the car, Chloe saw Randy leaning against the car with his hands in the pockets of his red and white letter jacket and Drake with three new books, one open as he read it. When they noticed the struggling girls, the boys ran to help.
“Gosh! Did you buy the whole store!” Randy joked as her took Cary’s side of the desk from her. Drake took the opposite while Chloe took a box floating shelves under her arm. The boys opened the trunk and began to load the furniture.
“How was Ralph’s, Randy?” Cary asked while setting the shopping bags in the trunk
“Fine, until the brat twins showed up.” Randy said irritably, Cary made an annoyed sound while Drake's eyebrows narrowed.
“What were they doing there!” Cary asked nearly outraged.
“Buying new lacrosse equipment.” Randy said.
“Was Mr.Colin there?” Drake asked pushing the desk into the car.
“No, just the twins.” Randy said sliding the bookshelf boxes next to the desk. Chloe fit her other shopping bags and floating shelves under the desk. Cary noticed the perplexed look on her face and lightened her own.
“The Colin’s are a family that don’t exactly get along well with ours.” Cary said kindly as Randy closed the trunk. They all climbed into the car.
“How many of them are there?” Chloe asked as she buckled her seatbelt.
“Seven.”Cary said.
“Seven!” Chloe said.
“Yep, one mom, one dad, two boys and three girls” Cary said.
“Do any of them got to the high school?” Chloe asked.
“The oldest boy graduated last year, all the girls and the youngest boy go to FallBrook--But just stay away from them and you’ll be fine.” Cary said noticing Chloe’s shocked face.
When they got back to the house Chloe began construction on her room, the directions were fairly simple. Once she was done, Chloe finally unpacked. She placed a few awards,-nacks and books on her floating shelves, filled one bookshelf with books and the other with clothes using storage drawers and stuffed her desk with inventions supplies. She even hung up the fairy lights. They looked good over her desk.
Chloe brushed her teeth and combed her hair. Chloe’s hair was different, it was curly but in a way that looked like she fixed it everyday. Her mother called it “the Britmore curl” for she had the same quality in which she inherited from Chloe’s grandmother. After getting dressed chloe decided to unpack. It wasn’t really unpacking more like rummaging. She had so many possessions crammed into her bags, but nowhere to put them. Her room had no furniture other than the twin bed and Chloe would rather keep her things packed neatly in a bag then piled on the floor. While going through one of her suitcases Chloe came upon a rectangular object wrapped in a shirt. Not remembering what it was, Chloe unwrapped it. It was a black, wooden picture frame. Inside the frame was a photo of Susane in her normal office attire, beaming with pride while hugging Chloe, and of Chloe using one hand to hug her mom and the other to hold up a sparkling platinum trophy with the words 3017, National Science Fair, First Place engraved into its base. In the photo Chloe gave a huge smile showing all of her teeth, they were only slightly lighter than her pale skin. Chloe grinned at the photo in her hands, still remembering the feeling of holding her breath as her invention wasn’t called for 3rd or 2nd place. Unfortunately her nostalgic smile was quickly swept with grief into a mournful frown. Chloe stroked the side of the frame with her thumb.
“I miss you mom.” Chloe said quietly to herself.
. . .
Later that morning she decided to venture to the first floor. Chloe crept down the steps in hopes to get out of the house without anyone stopping her. Her plan was to make it to the door, announce “I’m going out for a walk, be back later, bye!”, then get out before someone answered. It was fool proof. The coast was clear, everyone was either in the kitchen or dining room. Sneaking through the living room Chloe could hear the clink of silverware, the whistle of a teapot being silenced and voices coming from the kitchen.
“Be nice Reed, she’s going through a lot.” said a calm male voice, Venis.
“You know, you two would actually make really great friends.” said a female voice, Cary.
“Just because we’re about the same age doesn’t mean we’re gonna be great friends.” said an annoyed younger female voice, Reed.
“Poor Chloe, I can’t imagine what she’s,” said a higher pitch male voice, Uncle Robert.
“I read an article about kids who lose their parents at her age-(his voice was becoming panicked again)-They-they end up joining gangs o-or becoming drug dealers or-”
“I’m pretty sure your ‘National Science Fair award winning niece’ isn’t going to become a drug dealer,” said Reed, her voice was sarcastic well as annoyed now. This was Chloe’s chance, she walked past the archway of the kitchen as quickly as possible to the front door. She only stopped with her hand hovering over the door knob when she heard.
“Oh! Chloe you’re awake.” Chloe gave a huge sigh and turned to face Cary as she left her stool to brightly meet Chloe at the door.
“Good news, Dad said it was ok if I use my car to take you to the mall,” Cary said through her smile.
“Actually I was just about t-” Chloe said, then she thought for a moment. As much as she didn’t want to spend a day with Cary and her constant need for conversation, Chloe needed furniture in her room.
“-to ask you about that.” Chloe finished dreadfully. Just then Reed walked from the kitchen towards the stairs. Cary turned around.
“Reed you want to come with us, we’re going shopping. It can be girl time!” Cary said gleefully. At these words and alarm went off in Reed’s head.
“Uh! Sorry, can’t, got homework.” Reed said before nearly sprinting up the steps.
“If Reed’s not coming, may I? I need to return and rent some books from the library.” Drake had appeared by the archway.
“Can I come too, I wanna pick up some new skates for hockey.” Randy appeared after Drake. Standing next to each other they were the same height.
“Yeah, sure” Cary said. Within minutes the three of them dispersed, leaving Chloe at the door while Cary went to her room to find the perfect pair of shoes for her outfit, Drake left to get his books and converses and Randy searched around the house for a pair of cleats. The four of them met at the door and called their goodbyes.
“Bye kids!” Uncle Robert called back.
“Have Fun!” Venis called, before the four of them walked out the door. Once they were outside the wind hit their faces. Cary, Drake and Randy all winced and squinted their eyes, but within a few minutes were back to normal. Unfortunately for Chloe the wind took her breath away and made her shiver as she adjusted her toboggan over her forehead. It was as jet black as her hair and from afar made it look as though a pair of cat ears had sprouted out of her head.
“I bet you don’t have weather like this in Florida.” Randy said having noticed Chloe’s state.
“‘Didn’t’ Randy, the proper term is ‘didn’t’.” Drake corrected not looking up from the open novel on top of a stack of books in his arms. The four walked down the wooden patio steps onto the sidewalk were the car was parallel parked. Cary opened the drivers door.
“Chloe you can sit in the front seat.” Cary said before shutting the door. Randy had already climbed into the back seat, Chloe looked to Drake.
“You don’t have to sit in the back seat just because I’m here” Chloe tried to keep her voice as steady as possible through her chattering teeth.
“I always sit in the back,” Drake said still reading his novel. It was as if he could see chloe’s confused look through his book.
“I always sit in the back due to it’s better conditions for reading.” Drake said climbing into the car. Chloe sat in the passenger seat, she was still cold in the car, but at least away from the wind. Cary cranked the car and was off to the mall.
“So, Chloe are you looking forward to school, you’ll get to go to FallBrook high with us,” Cary said 5 minute into the drive.
“I….I don’t know.” Chloe said hoping to avoid the conversation. Going back to school with possibly the same kids that tormented her wasn’t exactly something Chloe was looking forward to for wanted to talk about.
“Ah! Don’t worry about it. Anyone starts sh#t with you, you come to us.” Randy said.
“Randy! What did I say about the cursing!” Cary scolded.
“Whatever Dad!” Randy said sarcastically. Cary snatched a stress ball from the cup holder and threw it back at Randy, who dodged it laughing. After a few miles of multicolored houses, giant palm trees and winding bridges they arrived at a large shopping mall. It was like nothing Chloe had ever seen, the mall itself was three stories high and made up of big brand stores and restaurants forming a ‘C’ shape in the center of a huge parking lot, the ‘C’ was closed to a ‘O’ shape by independent restaurants and stores with little gaps in between for cars to enter and exit.Cary parked in a spot in between the mall and the restaurants. They all got out.
“Ok, so we’ll all meet back here in a few hours.” Cary said before Drake walked to a small library cafe, Randy trotted towards Ralph’s Sport Shop and Cary and Chloe went off towards the entrance of Tjmaxx. Once she was inside Chloe saw the whole store had been decorated head to toe for the holidays. There were islands displaying Christmas gifts and manikins in ugly Christmas sweaters and pajamas, ornament shaped signs hanging from the ceiling, informing customers about discounts, a sea of clothes surrounding a small building decorated to look like a gingerbread house and isles upon isles stuffed with an assortment of unique items. Chloe followed Cary through the rows of shelves ranging between kitchen to art supplies. There were no signs to tell which isle you were in, the shoppers just knew where everything was. Finally Cary stopped at the rim of a section that would have been labeled ‘Decor’.
After a few hours of looking through wall art, light fixtures, furniture and half listening to Cary’s comments of ‘Ooh this is cute’ and ‘look at this’ or ‘so and so has this’, Chloe decided on a few framed posters, cubicle bookshelves, floating shelves, a black and white desk with drawers and to make Cary shut up a box of fairy lights. Cary had offered several times to show Chloe the rest of the mall, but all Chloe wanted to do was get back to her room and unpack. In all honesty spending two more hours walking in and out of stores she didn’t need anything from wasn’t her idea of fun.
The two paid and left the store. Making two trips wasn’t an option so the two divided the bag weight between each other and stacked shelves on the desk. Struggling under the weight, Chloe and Cary stumbled to the car.
“Well - this was a - productive - trip.” Cary said gasping halfway to the car. When they were nearly to the car, Chloe saw Randy leaning against the car with his hands in the pockets of his red and white letter jacket and Drake with three new books, one open as he read it. When they noticed the struggling girls, the boys ran to help.
“Gosh! Did you buy the whole store!” Randy joked as her took Cary’s side of the desk from her. Drake took the opposite while Chloe took a box floating shelves under her arm. The boys opened the trunk and began to load the furniture.
“How was Ralph’s, Randy?” Cary asked while setting the shopping bags in the trunk
“Fine, until the brat twins showed up.” Randy said irritably, Cary made an annoyed sound while Drake's eyebrows narrowed.
“What were they doing there!” Cary asked nearly outraged.
“Buying new lacrosse equipment.” Randy said.
“Was Mr.Colin there?” Drake asked pushing the desk into the car.
“No, just the twins.” Randy said sliding the bookshelf boxes next to the desk. Chloe fit her other shopping bags and floating shelves under the desk. Cary noticed the perplexed look on her face and lightened her own.
“The Colin’s are a family that don’t exactly get along well with ours.” Cary said kindly as Randy closed the trunk. They all climbed into the car.
“How many of them are there?” Chloe asked as she buckled her seatbelt.
“Seven.”Cary said.
“Seven!” Chloe said.
“Yep, one mom, one dad, two boys and three girls” Cary said.
“Do any of them got to the high school?” Chloe asked.
“The oldest boy graduated last year, all the girls and the youngest boy go to FallBrook--But just stay away from them and you’ll be fine.” Cary said noticing Chloe’s shocked face.
When they got back to the house Chloe began construction on her room, the directions were fairly simple. Once she was done, Chloe finally unpacked. She placed a few awards,-nacks and books on her floating shelves, filled one bookshelf with books and the other with clothes using storage drawers and stuffed her desk with inventions supplies. She even hung up the fairy lights. They looked good over her desk.