My mom shook me to wake me the next morning.
“Get up Alex.” She said
I groaned and sat up looking at her.
“You didn’t change into pajamas last night?” She asked
I shook my head remembering the previous night
“Are you going to change for school?” She asked
“No.” I said my voice cracking with sleep
She nodded at me understanding.
“Mom.” I said
“Yeah?” She asked
“If we’re leaving tonight how are we getting our stuff there?” I asked
“Your uncle is going to ship our stuff out there, when you get home from school you’ll pack some clothes in two suitcases and I’ll pack mine and two air mattresses.” She said
I nodded and she left the room, I got up and pulled my beat up combat boots on and walked into the bathroom. I wasn’t even going to attempt to straighten my hair, I pulled a beanie on over my messy hair and headed downstairs.
“Ready?” My mom asked
I nodded and we walked out and got into her car. She drove me to school; it was silent besides Green Day blasting into my headphones from my Blackberry phone. When she pulled into the lot of the school I hopped right out without saying a word to her. I walked into the building and to my locker, when I arrived at my locker Iris was standing there. I pulled out one headphone and unlocked my locker.
“Alex.” She said
I looked up at her
“Was last night for real?” She asked
“Yes. Plus today is my last day here.” I said
“Oh? What school are you changing to?” She asked
“None in England.” I said
She nodded and walked away.
“Hey Gaskarth!” A jock yelled
I looked up and he slammed me into my locker.
“I heard you broke Iris’s heart.” He said
I shrugged and he punched me in the face, my cheek bone throbbed and he punched me again.
“Whatever.” I said
He shoved me to the ground and walked away.
The rest of the day went slow, after the final bell I went outside and waiting on my mom. When she showed up I got into the car and she drove off without looking at me, which I was thankful because my black eye had come in from being punched. When we got home I jumped out of the car and ran into the house, I ran up to my room and pulled my two suit cases out and started packing.
“Alex baby are you okay?” My mom asked walking into my room
I looked up at her and her eyes dropped.
“Was it Oliver again?” She asked
I nodded and continued to pack.
“I’m ready to leave. Get a new start where jocks don’t bully me all day at school.” I said
“Well get packing our flight is in an hour.” She said
I nodded and started shoving clothes into my bag, I walked into the bathroom and grabbed my flat iron and shoved it in too. I grabbed my laptop bag and grabbed my shit laptop and all of the cords, I grabbed my phone cord and the put my song notebook into my laptop bag as well.
“Are you ready Alex?” My mom called up
I grabbed my two suitcases and my laptop bag and sprinted downstairs.
“Let’s get out of here.” I said
She nodded and walked out of the house.
“Wait! I’ll be out in a minute.” I said back to her
She nodded and I ran upstairs and walked into Tom’s room, I walked over and grabbed that picture frame and sprinted downstairs shoving it into my laptop bag. I grabbed the suitcases and went out to the car, I put my stuff in the back and we drove to the airport. When we got there we went through the procedures and boarded the plane.
“What did you go back in for?” My mom asked
I shook my head and laid it back against the seat; I eventually put it against the window and fell asleep.
“Wake up sweetie we’re landed.” My mom said
I sat up and we got off of the plane and into a cab. My mom had already paid for a house here, as we were in the cab I watched out the window, it was August which meant the leaves were changing and it was chilly. When the cab came to a stop I looked at the house, it was a pretty big house. I grabbed the bags and my mom lead me up to the house.
“I took a Skype tour with the previous owners. I think you’re going to love it.” She said
She unlocked the front door and we stepped in.
“It’s got three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a full finished basement, and a swimming pool.” She said
I smiled
“Where is the school?” I asked
“Its a few blocks away so I’ll drive you tomorrow and then you’re going to have to walk. I start work early.” She said
“I start school tomorrow?” I asked
“Yes.” She said
I nodded.
“Let me show you to your room.” She said
I nodded and led me to the kitchen and there was a door, she opened it and it led to the basement. When we got down there the room was huge.
“All to myself?” I asked
“Yes.” She said
“It’s huge.” I said
“I thought you would like a bigger room so you can get a bed that your feet don’t hang off.” She said
I smiled at her and she pulled me into a hug
“Welcome to our new home.” I said
“Welcome home mom.” I said
She smiled at me
“Welcome home Tom.” I whispered.
My mom left the room and went into the kitchen, I took that time to take my clothes and sort them all out.
“Alex the blow up mattress is in the closet.” She said
“Thanks!” I called up the stairs.
I walked over to the closet and got the mattress and the pump out, as I blew up the mattress I set up my laptop and shit on the floor next to where my bed will be, as I set up my room I heard something hit the ground and shatter upstairs. I ran up and my mom was standing in the kitchen with cuts on her hands, I looked down on the ground and saw what looked to be a glass plate.
“Let me get it.” I said
She hesitated but I picked up all of the broken plate and swept up the tiny pieced.
“Come here mom.” I said
I turned on the kitchen sink and pulled her hands under it using the dishwashing liquid soap to clean out her hands.
“Where would I be without you.” She said
“AA meetings.” I said
She laughed knowing I was telling the truth.
“Go to bed Alex, you have a long day tomorrow.” She said
I nodded and trudged into the basement, I laid down on my mattress and fell fast asleep hoping tomorrow would be a better start on my life.