I sat in the passenger side of my mother's all black Hyundai Sonata, listening to the rain hit the roof of the car.

"Sorry honey, I had to grab my wallet." My mother apologized as she entered the car and put her seat belt on.

"If you're going to the store for just boxes, why do I have to go too?" I complained, leaning my head against the cold window. It was not cold outside, it was only September and still warm out, but I had the air conditioner on full blast which made the car feel like January.

"Well, I may need help carrying some supplies Niyah, and besides, I like the company." She grinned at me.

As we drove through the Philadelphia streets, I could not help but stare at the scenery as we drove by the familiar neighborhood. It sort of hurt knowing that this will be the last time I would see it all.

They recently offered my mom a promotion with increased pay and better benefits, which required us to move to South Carolina. She just could not refuse she says.

We finally pulled into the parking lot of our local shopping center and I was overjoyed to hop out the vehicle. I could not stand listening to my mom try to lip sing the old school music in the car. It was like being burned alive and I just could not take it.

I got in the store before her like always since she was a little on the slow—moving side. It was only about five in the evening and I realized it was crowded. Dammit I thought. I noticed an employee standing close by.

"Excuse me? Can you tell me where the aisle with boxes and moving supplies is?"

"Huh, oh yes honey aisle six." He pointed toward the aisle.

" Thanks." I said, motioning my mom toward aisle six when she finally made it in.

We quickly made our way down the aisle and began picking up boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and labels. I noticed my mom heading toward another aisle, which I knew would happen.

"Mom? MOM, no its time to leave, we got to finish packing remember?"

"Oh yeah, let’s go." she said, motioning me toward the checkout lane.

Approaching the register, we were greeted by the strange cashier.

"How are you two beautiful twins doing this evening?" He asked.

My mom giggled a little, flattered by his compliment. I just stared at him.

TWINS?

He is so cheesy!

The only way we would pass for sisters if I were fifteen years older and she was fifteen years younger.

My mother is stunning for her age. She is fifty years old but do not look a day over forty. She stands at 5’6”. Beautiful black hair that compliment her brown skin. She has dazzling honey brown eyes, and a figure most desired.

If I look at it, I am like a splitting image of her. I am seventeen but I can pass for twenty to most. I am about 5,7, black hair that reach the middle of my back, light brown skin and hazel eyes that I received from my father.

When we were finally finished checking out and the unattractive gentleman was finished flirting with my mother, we were finally heading toward home.

We pulled up in front of our house and parked in front of our door. I realized my best friend's car was parked in front of her door.

"Mom, I'm going to go see Jess for a minute." I said.

"For what?" My mom questioned, flipping open the trunk as she began removing our items.

"So, we can beat up people, sell drugs, you know the usual." I toyed with her.

My mother frowned at my sarcasm.

"Whatever, make it fast so we can finish packing."

"Okay, Okay." I said as I made my way on to Jess's porch. She must have heard me coming because the door flew open.

"Niyah!" She yelled as she tossed her arms around me.

"UUMMM yea?" I questioned, a little confused by what was going on.

"I thought you moved already. I was going to slap the hell out of you for not saying bye to me." Jess threatened.

"Now why would I do that, you're my friend." I said, nudging her shoulder with my elbow.

Jess was my friend since I was in elementary school, so we have been around each other for many years. She was about my height, so I never felt to tall or too short around her. She was pretty yet average, and she was always positive about most. She had long, full brown hair which she always kept in a high ponytail. Her honey brown skin was smooth and blemish free.

"What are you doing now?" I questioned.

"Nothing really, watching some TV." She said, playing with the remote in her hand.

"Cool, then your lazy ass can come help me pack some of this stuff."

"NOOOOO!!" She squealed. She frowned as I pulled her out her doorway and closed it behind her.

_______

Morning had come and I was awakened by someone knocking on my door. Matter of fact, knocking was an understatement. More like banging on my door.

"NIYAH, wake up, time to hit the road." My mother yelled from the other side of the wooden door.

" OK OK OK I'm up." I lied, still sprawled across the mattress with my comforter still over my head, dreading getting up. I, not being a morning a person, made it ten times harder to get up.

"Get up, you can sleep in the car." She yelled on her way down the staircase.

"Okay." I said tossing the blanket back.

My eyes burned as the bright sun pierced through my thin curtains. I groaned in agony as I jumped up.

Leaping from the mattress, I stepped on something. Looking down, I noticed my dog's toy.

"DREA!!" Angry, I called for her.

A few seconds later, my dog ran in.

"Get your toy... TOY!!" I said, referring to the disgusting toy on my bedroom floor. She looked at it, grabbed it, and ran back downstairs to my mom.

She drives me insane with those mangled toys scattered all over the house. I love her though. She’s the prettiest all black lab and pit I have ever seen. My father purchased her for my mom and I before he passed away a year ago. She was the last piece I had of him.

Grabbing my towel, I dragged myself to the bathroom for an exhilarating shower. Finishing up, I walked into my room and snatched up the clothes I had left out to wear today. I put on my black yoga pants, a loose V—neck white t—shirt, and my black and white converses.

Tossing my hair into a high messy bun, I began grabbing my remaining bags.

"I'll be in the car!" I heard my mom yell before she left out the front door.

I grabbed the last bit of my things, ran downstairs, and skipped out the front door.

"Are you ready? You have everything?" Turning the key to the ignition, she shifted the car into drive.

"Yes!" Settling into the front seat, I popped my ear buds in and turned on a playlist I had made specifically for this dreadful ride.

Hitting the highway, I allowed the smooth ride and slow music to put me to rest.

____________

Awakening from my sleep, I noticed the car was no longer in motion. The engine had silenced, and all was quiet until the driver door opened then closed.

Careless at first, I finally opened my eyes to check our current location. Burning from the beaming light, I blinked repeatedly until my eyes focused on my surroundings.

"Where the fuck are we?" Focusing on my surroundings, all I could do was gaze at the tall trees.

My mom was standing at the rear of the car pumping gas. I looked around, only to notice that we were the only ones here.

Unsettling.

This is how scary movies always start. Middle of nowhere, thick trees, and nobody around. Thoughts of horror movies like wrong turn, human centipede, and Texas chainsaw massacre popped in my head.

Closing the gas cap, she opened the driver's door and got back into the car.

"Good you're awake, we are right outside of town."

"Good, because my butt is getting numb. " I whined.

______

"Wake up, we are here Niyah." My mom said as she nudged me.

I did not even realize I had fell asleep once again.

Pulling up the small block, the car slowed at the end of the street. Coming to a halt in front of a house with a white and blue sign that read 'William's realtor' with the word 'sold' in bright red font protruding from the lawn, I knew we were here.

The house was not large nor was it small, I found it acceptable. The house was a brownish color with a white door and white windows. It had a brown porch, with a beautiful green lawn in the front.

"Not as bad as I thought." I said, opening the door and stepping out of the car.

I opened the back door of the car to grab my bag and let Drea out to the bathroom.

"You like it? It’s a nice size for just me and you right?" Digging into her purse, she began her search for her set of keys.

"It will do." I toyed.

Fidgeting with the new locks and handles, she got the door to open for us. Walking in, I was a little surprised. The outside was pretty, but the inside was breathtaking. The carpet was a tan and brown color, which matched the wall—to—wall stretched love seats which faced a brick fireplace.

"I have to do more decorating." My mother explained.

I made my way to the kitchen. I'm an eater, so I have to know what the kitchen looked like.

The kitchen was just as nice. The walls were a green color, which gave off an earthy, cozy feeling. The tables and chairs were a maple wood color with green cushions on the seats. The refrigerator was stainless and was built right into the wall.

I love this.

I slid the doors open and stepped on to the back patio. The patio was small but large enough to put some comfortable furniture unto, which I knew my mom was going to do. Overlooking the patio was beautiful green grass that led straight into high, thick trees.

I instantly became creeped out again.

Living in the city, I wasn't too accustomed to thick wooded, forest—like areas. I grew up around row homes, highways, subways, and buses. Now I was introduced to homes that were yards apart, no city transportation, and dense trees that surrounded the town. So, this was something I had to get used too.

I walked back into the sliding doors and watched my dog run out the doors. I guess I wasn't the only one fascinated to explore a little.

I flew past my mom, who was sitting on the couch speaking into her cell phone.

"Yes, I'll see you Monday." I caught her saying into the phone.

I wasn't really listening to her conversation since I was too busy running up the steps.

Shit, I almost forgot to go check on my new room.

I made my way into the first door I came across. Opening the door, I noticed the enormous boxes I knew were not mine. Must be her office.

After opening every door, I finally came to the last door. I opened it.

Can you say love at first sight?

Larger than I was used to, it left me in bliss. The walls were all white with black and white trim around the bottom. They covered the floor with a black wall—to—wall carpet. My curtains were black with a white pattern from top to bottom. In the center of the room was a queen—sized bed with a large white head board. To my left, was two double doors. I opened them to reveal a large walk—in closet fit for me.

"Finally." I smiled.

"Niyah? Come get your clothes and other crap you left down here."

"Okay." I turned to make my way down to the entrance way.

I think I can get used to this.

****

The weekend had come and gone; I had wondered where my time I had disappeared to. I occupied most of my Saturday organizing my unfamiliar room and watching Starz, HBO, Disney channel and eating anything I could find in the refrigerator.

By Sunday evening, I was bored out of my mind. Nothing exciting was even on television anymore.

"What the fuck do we have all these channels for if it ain't shit to watch?" I whined to myself.

"Niyah? Dinner Is done." My mom called from the kitchen.

"Yes!!" I got up.

I was tired of junk food and microwavable food. A home cook meal was on my mind.

Walking into the unused kitchen, I was hit with a blissful smell of my mother's creation. Baked chicken, baked mac and cheese, crescent rolls, and peas.

Peas?!

I could not help the droll that drizzled from my bottom lip. After stuffing my plate to its fullest capacity, I joined my mother at the dining room table.

"Soooo you like the house so far?" She questioned.

"Except for the creepy looking forest in the back, its cozy." I shifted my eyes away from the darkness that blanketed the woods.

"You'll get used to it." She chuckled. "So, what are you wearing for school tomorrow?"

" School?" I questioned her word.

"Yeah school, you know, the place you go to learn." She said, her voice laced with amusement.

"Nooooo, can’t I wait a week? You know, to get more comfortable here." I begged even though I knew her answer.

"Nooooo you can’t. If I must start my fresh job Monday, you're going to school Monday. " she laughed.

Fuck!

I forgot about starting school again. I was starting my senior year and I was dreading the idea of starting the year I could not wait for, here.

"Fine."

Finishing my delicious food, I washed and dried my plate and headed up to my room. Flopping down onto the spring mattress, I stretched across my bed and scrolled Instagram on my phone.

I’ll be fine at school tomorrow; I only missed a couple weeks.

I’ll be fine......

RIGHT?