Chapter 2
"Are you certain you don't want to remain with us, Amanda" Are you sure you wouldn't want to live with us?" As we drive along the town's relatively calm streets, Chris' father, William, questions from the front seat, his eyes concentrated on the road.
"I'm certain. I simply would like to spend time at the house where Dad and Mom often used stay when they came to visit. I'm sure I'll be living at your apartment more frequently, so don't worry." As Elizabeth turns around to gaze at me worriedly, I smiled reassuringly at her.
After that, there is a pleasant stillness until we arrive just at area where I'll be staying. As I step out of the automobile, I look up just at tall structure that would soon be my new place.
It's an hour's journey out from the city which never sleeps, just outside of New York.
I take my keys from my backpack and unlock the door, smiling as I recall the memories I've created here and how beautifully it's been kept since my family came last year.
Mum's decorating touch may still be seen on the shelves and walls, with decorations and paintings. My heart breaks as I go through familiar and warm house, knowing that my parents will not be with me again. I approach my room by walking up the stairs and entering it. My favorite feature of my bedroom is the huge window which allows me to overlook the town below.
It's both terrifying and wonderfully lovely.
After lingering for a while, I go downstairs to find the Valentine's getting ready to depart. I said my goodbyes and assured everyone that I would be over for supper soon. As I shut the door, I turned around and groan at what I see.
This is how it'll be moving forward, just me.
To begin unpacking, I go upstairs to my bedroom. It's the space over the patio's garden table. I hurriedly put my baggage on the floor and looked out the glass doors towards the balcony. It's rather huge, with a variety of flower pots of all sizes.
A big bed, an inch from the wall, is covered with fluffy, soft throws. There's two bedside tables on either side, each with two lights and photos of myself with my folks that I took with me for the final time I was here.
On every side of the bed, white faux fur rug is put, as well as the floor is white hardwood. Turning back, I find my computer on top of a work table leaned out against the left wall. When I notice the silver pail of white flowers, I move over to it. They're lovely and new, so Elizabeth or Linda must have come by to help me with the decor.
I smile as I look at the bright, motivating photos just on the wall behind the desktop and the plush blanket draped over the chair. As I turn around and move just towards the bedside table opposite the little walk-in wardrobe, my palm brushes against the doors. Once I unpack, I'm sure the closet will be full. It is unavoidable.
On the wall is a round mirror with elaborate craftsmanship all around it. A pot of red tulips sits to the side, along with lace-detailed containers in which I keep my cosmetics. Next to the vanity table is a light pink barrel with a handful of novels I had left here the last day on top.
Two images with group images with my buddies and I sit at the front of a lamp. As I recall about the happy days, I quietly giggle at our funny faces, my fingertips skimming the plush chair.
I'm finished in two hours. Unpacking was a lot simpler this time since I had organized it all into boxes, section by section. It was still torturous deciding where to put things, but I got there in the end. I take a step back from the bookcases and smile. Perfect. My books are arranged on several shelves, with ornaments placed next to them.
Now that everything has been completed, where do we go from here? It's time to eat!
With a grumbling tummy, I rush downstairs and straighten my hair properly next to the door before taking my keys just from the porcelain tray and exiting the apartment. I locked the door and walk towards to the sleek, black automobile that has been waiting for me. I turn on the navigation system and enter in Chris' address, and in a short time, I'm pulling into the driveway and walking inside to the aroma of something delicious cooking.
But I'm knocked to the ground before I would continue moving towards the living room.
"Get off me right now, Daisy Maurice!" I scream and giggle while I fail to shove her away from me.
"It's been half a year! sugar, sugar, sugar, sugar, sugar" She yells at me, fuming.
"Stop hugging her, Lily!" Chris shouts and laughs as he tries to pull her away from me.
"Never!" Screaming back, she swats his hands away.
The very next thing I remember, Mark, Linda, and Dag are battling it out on the floor whoever can rescue Amanda first. Chris rams his elbow into my abdomen, and I'm groaning. He shouts out as I kick his chest with one foot and fall upon Linda.
"oomph, Lin - Christian, take your hand off my butt! Talk to me, Linda! Are you still breathing?" I jokingly yelled.
"I'm...fine. Ugh! Chris, get off my back!" Linda smacks his arm and says,
"Amanda, I did not hit you! I've arrived." Christian responds, a few steps away, wrestling with Alex.
"You moron, it's Daisy! I was pushed by Chris!" Somewhere behind me, she moans.
Unfortunately, Elizabeth, as well as William are watching from the couch, laughing with laughter.
"That's all I have to say about that! It needs to be broken up." Chris shouts at her, ultimately yanking her away from me.
My gut hurts as I sit up gasping. I've misplaced a shoe, misplaced a hair tie, and lost part of my cardigan. Chris hands me both my footwear and hair tie, which I quickly put on before charging at Mark.
"I've been missing you!" As he grips me tightly, I sing onto his shoulder.
"I missed you as well!" As we back away, he sings and laughs.
Youngblood, Mark. We'd met two years prior and had immediately created havoc. He's my buddy, a tall man having light brown hair with aqua blue eyes who stands around 6, 5 feet tall.
A button nose, red lips, and big lips. His face is freckled, and his lip stretches out to expose a little white scar in the corner. His jaw is as pointed as a rock, and his cheekbones are modest but apparent when he laughs or grins. I'd be the first to know. I smacked my head into it twice. Considering the length of time he spends at the gym, he has a muscular build. If I spend that much time exercising, I swear I'd pass out.
Both of us are screaming as Daisy pulls me into a hug. Daisy Maurice is the definition of a kickass bestie. Her mom is Hindu while her dad is Spanish, and her folks are the finest folks you'll ever meet! Her long, brown hair cascades down to her waist in waves, the tips of her hair painted pink with sky blue, and her brown eyes twinkle with delight. Her lips are colored a dark crimson and her cheeks are somewhat flushed from wrestling.
Dag Wyatt is the last person I meet. My tech-savvy companion. We'd done our good share of tinkering with devices, even once cutting the power cable that supplied energy to his home. He has a slender body, blonde hair, and chocolate brown eyes and stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall. His eyes are framed by stylish glasses that rest atop his nose. As he extends his arms out, his lips widen into a smile.
"Can you tell me where my spouse has been?" He asks, his arms tightening around me and hoisting me up.
Instead of responding, I chuckle. It's great to see my pals again, and, as I expected, they don't interrogate me concerning my parents the way everyone else did. I'm delighted they can readily distract my focus away from them. We settle down inside the lounge area soon after I've met everyone and make up on everything.
When I turn around, I notice Linda ruffling Chris' dark hair. Her baby blues are shining brightly, and her lips are pulled into a grin. She is the loveliest girl I have ever met, and we are the shortest members of the group, both standing at 5'5".
We all dash down the stairs when supper is done, and I joined the others in the kitchen. We carry our meal to the gaming area and shout at the zombies who are attempting to murder us. After an hour of yelling at the TV as well as the other four yelling at Chris and me as we fire zombie after zombie, my voice is dry and my head is throbbing.
"Okay, I'm off to bed now. Guys, good night!" As he walks away, Mark yawns and scratches his head.
"I'll be returning as well. Guys, good night." On the walk out, I fist bump Daisy, and they all yell goodbye to Mark and me.
Even if they can't see me, I wave. I get inside my car and close the door before waiting as Mark reversed out of the garage. My eyes wandered the town's streets, which are still clogged with vehicles and taxis, peering attentively at the different stores and planned to see them before turning onto my street. Going in and ensuring I locked the entryway, I climbed the steps until I arrive at my room. My exposed feet cushion across the hardwood floor towards the huge glass sheet that mirrors the a great many streetlamps down beneath. I murmur in happiness prior to strolling into my storeroom to change and afterwards, rushed to my bed, skipping as I fall on it. Feeling my accessory brush my cheek I took it off sluggishly.
"I miss you Mum and Dad." I murmured unfortunately, my voice rough and my heart hurting agonizingly as I put it on my bedside table, remembering some of our sweet and remarkable moments which we had as a family.
Getting under my delicate covers, I screech in satisfaction. In the event that my bed and I had a relationship, we would be going areas of strength for really at this point. Cuddling my cheek into the cushion, I float off to lay down with the memories of my folks going through my head.