Chapter 1: Not Again

Kara POV

" Kara, are you packing?"

" Yes, mother."

I then shut my bedroom door. We were moving again. I had just turned 19. My parents divorced when I was 15 because my dad cheated on my mom. We were moving for the third time. It was hard for me to make friends. I never stayed in one place long enough. I graduated from high school last year. I was supposed to go to college in the fall. But we were moving to a bigger city. I was not a fan of constantly moving.

I would have to live at home, as we didn't have the money for me to live on a campus. I would have preferred to live on campus. My mother could be a little overbearing. I wanted to secure a job to help cover my tuition and books. But my mother said she would make it work somehow. About a week ago, my mom got promoted at her company, which required us to relocate to Boston. I was not happy about it.

I was going to go to a community college there. I have signed up for karate lessons here to earn a college credit. I wanted to be a personal trainer and a nurse. I was going to take karate lessons so that I could work with underprivileged kids. Kids like that were always getting beaten up, and I wanted them to be able to defend themselves. I could also use it as college credit. I had to have several experiences with the different exercises. I had to have experience with stretches, self-defense, and nutrition. Colleges did not always provide those things as part of their curriculum.

Also, my mom was making me go with her since I had feelings for my boyfriend's dad. I wanted to stay with my aunt, but she wouldn't allow it. She was afraid that I was going to get pregnant by him and that I would be a single teenage mom. She had caught me and my boyfriend having sex in the back of his car. She wasn't pleased about that. Ever since that day, she has made sure to keep us apart.

My boyfriend had grown tired of it and broke up with me, which was not a big deal to me. I didn't really love him. I was dating him because everyone had a boyfriend. I wanted to fit in. The sex was a bonus.

I made sure to pack my gi. I bought it as well as sparring gear, so that when I worked my way up the belts. I was prepared. My goal was to reach a point where I could both compete and teach effectively. I have many ambitions and dreams that I will accomplish.

I also made sure that was going to be the last box that got moved into the moving van. Mother had packed the rest of the house—the pictures, along with all the dishes and so forth. When the moving guys got here this morning, I was about to die when I opened the front door. The oldest one was so cute. Yes, he was probably three times my age, but he was adorable. I invited them in and then rushed directly to my room, where I got dressed, applied my makeup, and did my hair. I made sure to wear a low-cut t-shirt. I wanted to show a little cleavage.

I tried flirting with him, but my mother stopped me and told me to finish packing. Which, of course, I did. I did not want to argue in front of strangers—especially the one I liked. I wanted him to think I was actually older than I was. I finished packing. I grabbed my overnight bag. It contained a couple of outfits, including my make-up, shampoo, conditioner, and everything a girl would need.

"Did you go get your money from the karate place?"

" Yes, mother,"

I did that yesterday. I did not want to move again, but I had no choice. My father lived in California, and we lived in Texas. We have lived in Texas since I was born, but I have moved twice to different towns because of my mother's job. After my father divorced my mother, he moved to California with the girl he married. He offered for me to go with him, but I declined. I wanted to stay with my mom. I did not want another mother. Plus, the girl he was marrying, I did not like. I blamed her for breaking up my family. She was a lot younger than my mother and as far as I could tell she has never had kids.

After he moved, I only saw him twice in four years. Once at Christmas and once at my high school graduation. I think it was because seeing my mother and me was too painful for him. Whatever the reason, it did not matter. Nor did I care. As I mentioned earlier, I have my own dreams and goals.

I threw my overnight bag in the back seat of the car. I made sure I had my headphones so that I could listen to music on the way. I knew we had a 30-hour drive ahead of us. Mom said we were going to drive for as long as possible. The moving people were going to switch drivers as they drove. I do not have my license yet. I still have my permit. Mom never got around to taking me to the DMV to get it. I have had one since I was 18.

I would walk everywhere, since the house is within walking distance of every place I have ever needed to go. All that was about to change as we moved to a new city and state: I had had one good friend since I started school. Her name is Trisha. We still hung out and went to games and whatnot. But that was going to change. I said good-bye to her yesterday as well. She did not want to come see me off today because it was too painful for both of us.

I was sad to be moving. Some of my plans have changed just because I was moving. Trisha and I had planned to attend the same community college, work at the mall, and get an apartment together. Those are my only plans that have changed. I am still going to attend school and earn my nursing degree, as well as become a personal trainer. I don't want to be like my mom and have to work so hard to make ends meet.

I stood in the driveway and took one last look at the house. I know this will be the last time I ever see this house. I'm going to miss the barbecues we had with my friends. The memories will always be in my mind. But a new beginning. I know my mother wants me to find someone my age.