chapter 1
I looked at the photo which was put in a tiny, little photo frame, decorated with colorful stickers. "I'll miss you, guys" - I whispered to myself, looking for a photograph of two smiling girl hugging each other. They were my best friends since the kindergarten and now I just have to leave them, moving from Chicago to Phoenix. A thought, that we'll be above 2 thousands kilometers away each other was driving me almost tears, and my parents explaining "you have a phone so you can call them anytime" making me almost cry. I was trying not to be mad at them because I knew that we were forced to move out because of my dad's work. At the same time the vision of living in totally new place and going to a completely new school, where I didn't know anyone was making me terrified.
I gasped quietly, slowly releasing the air from my mouth. I put the photo which I was looking at before on the top of the clothes packed into a large suitcase which I fasten and put next to the door. I crossed my arms over my chest and slowly went about my room - which were MY only for about 15 more minutes - another element of the moving which was making me depressed. I spent seventeen years of my life here, that's why saying goodbye to this place was so hard for me.
- Chanel, how long will you be there? We have to go! - I heard my mom's calling me from the living room. I walked back to the door and took my suitcase. I took a deep breath and looked around my room the last time. Feeling tears in my eyes I rubbed my eyes and turned around closing the door behind me.
I was walking down the stairs, awkwardly pulling the suitcase behind me. When I was finally downstairs I put the luggage near the front door. I put one hand on my waist and took the hair from my face with the other hand.
- Have you packed all your stuff? - asked my mom, holding a big carton where I assumed were all another mom's "trinkets".
- Mhm, I think I didn't forget anything. - I answered without any enthusiasm in my voice.
- You should smile Chanel, I think it's not going to be that bad. You'll meet new people, find new best friends, maybe also a boy, you'll like it. - she said and smiled friendly.
- Yeah. - I hissed ironically, practically to myself because my mum has already left the house to pack our stuff to the car.
I rolled my eyes theatrically, putting black ballerinas on my foot, taking my small bag where I had all the most important things and I I grabbed the handle of a suitcase. As soon as I went outside I felt the worm rays of the sun on my skin. It was the begging of May so it was quite too hot. I like warm, sun, nice weather but I hate when the weather is like this. That's obviously another from the million reasons why I don't want to move to Phoenix which is famous from hot weather.
Slowly releasing the air from my mouth, pulling the big, purple suitcase behind me I came to my dad's black range rover. I put my suitcase to the trunk which although was really big - now was practically entirely filled up with bags.
- Is it all your stuff? - asked dad putting carton in the back seat. I just nodded.
- So we are ready. We'll be going to the airport soon, I hope that you said goodbye to your friends earlier?
- Yes. - I answered quickly, and my father just nodded, going into our house again for a moment.
I leaned against the car with hands crossed on my chest and I looked at big, white and grey house. At this one moment I felt even more sad than earlier, remembering all this wonderful moments that I lived here. In this garden I tried to ride a bike, this is the place when I first slept with my best friends under the tent and this is the place when I first kissed boy on the lips. I sighed quietly for the last time and I turned around opening car doors. I put my handbag on the back seat and then I sat. I leaned forehead against the window and waited for my parents.
I couldn't throw away from my head all these worries about moving out. Despite I'll change school and I won't know anybody there I'll also start in the middle of the school year, no, even better - at the end of the school year. Two months until holidays. I don't even know how it's possible that I won't have to repeat a year. But I saw one, tiny, little plus in all of this - maybe I'll finally meet a boy, who won't be such an asshole like all of my ex boyfriends. I don't know if there's something wrong with me but I am attracting to myself only idiots. Is this a kind of curse or what?
My thoughts were interrupted by my parents, who got into the car.
- Did we take all? - I ask more with a hope that the answer will be negative and we'll have to stay.
- Mhm, I think so. - answered my mom, looking for something in her bag. I gasped being disappointed.
Finally my dad fired the engine, fastened his seatbelt and despite I wanted this moment to procrastinate I knew that it'll come. I was just leaving my home, when I lived 17 years. When we set off I was feeling tears in my eyes, so I lowered my head down, playing with the piece of cloth of my t-shirt.
I felt like the road to the airport took very long time. I was scared even to think what will be on the plane if 15-minutes drive seemed like forever.
I got to the plane with the fear, my legs were shaking, I was feeling tears in my eyes but at the same time I was somehow excited. I didn't know what will happen in Phoenix but I tried to be a little bit positive. Following my parents I finally found my place and I sat on a comfortable armchair.
I took my iPod from my handbag and plugged the earphones. Music was always making me calm, so I was hoping that this time it'll also help me. I turned on one of my favorite songs and then leaned my head on a small window. The flight was supposed to last for 3 hours, so I was hoping that I'll fall asleep.
I was awakened by my mother's voice, she was gently poking me in the arm, trying to wake me up.
- Chanel, we're landing, fasten your seatbelt. - she said putting lipstick to her bag. I obediently did what she asked me for and I looked through the window. I can't deny, Phoenix is a pretty town, but this doesn't change the fact that I'd definitely prefer to stay in Chicago.
Through the whole road by the taxi to our new home I was looking around through the open window. I liked this city, I can't say that I didn't. The population here 2 times smaller than in Chicago but I liked that fact because I was sick of the crowd in the city.
- And how is it? Do you like it? - my dad asked me. He was feeling guilty all the time, that we had to move out and I have to leave my best friends.
- It's okay. - I answered not very enthusiastic and I shrugged. I was impatiently waiting when I'll finally see our new house. I was hoping that my room will be as big as the old one.
Finally we arrived. Taking my handbag from the seat I quickly opened the door of the car and I looked at the building. From outside the house was looking very similar to the old one but the garden was 2 times bigger, which I can't deny - I liked a lot.
- Here you go. - Smiled my dad, giving me the keys to the house and one of my suitcases. I grabbed the handle of the bag, holding the key in the other hand. I walked out the door and took a deep breath, then put a key in the lock and gently turned it. I opened the door and took a few steps forward walking inside. I put my suitcase near the stairs and started to "explore" home. To be honest - it was marvelous. With a little smile on my face I walked upstairs where were 2 rooms and the bathroom. One of the rooms was supposed to be mine and the other was a guest-room. I slowly opened the first door and then walked inside. Walls were painted light-purple, big bed was standing opposite me wchich was covered with satin sheets, light beige furniture, and large, spacious wardrobe in the same colors. I was speechless. It was like someone was sitting in my head and made exactly the room from my dreams. Maybe it was the parents who wanted to compensate me moving like that? After a while I heard soft, gentle knocking at the open door and after a moment my mum came. I picked up from the bed, sitting on it.
- And how do you like your new room? - she asked, putting one of my suitcases on the floor.
- It's pretty. - I answered and I think it was the first time since I found out about the moving out when I smiled.
- I'm glad that you like it. - mom smiled back, being happy that I finally smiled. After a while she sat next to me. - Chanel, we're really sorry that you had to change school, leave your friends, but you know it was what we had to do. Father company has moved here and we had to do the same - she said and gasped quietly.
- I know, mom, I know. – I smiled wanly. – It’s hard for me, but I understand you. I just need some time to get used to a new place. – I added and shrugged.
- I’m glad that you understand. – mom gave me a big hug, like I was a little girl.
I could never complain about a lack of love from my parents. Of course, I was fighting with them, sometimes I had enough of them but I loved them so much. My mom was very optimistic person. She was always finding ways to bound our family ties and despite she knew my dad had a lot of work in company, she was doing her best so we could from time to time eat meals together. My dad was more like realistic person but he was doing everything to make mom happy. I was very lucky because my parents were together for a long time and they were still loving each other. I was, however, their beloved, one and only child. Obviously I was loving them and I was really thankful for them that the cared so much about me but sometimes I had enough of their overprotection. When I started going to school they used to choose me children with who I had to play. Of course, with an age I become more independent, I was trying to me over my own control, but they were still overprotecting me.
- And now it’s time to do downstairs, I’ll help you bring all your bags here, so you could unpack. – she said after a while and we both smiled at the same time, then we got up.
I wiped my forehand and laid on the bed. I was really tired. I didn’t thought that unpacking all my stuff and decorating my room would me so tiresome. I pulled my iPhone from the left pocket of my trousers. It was only 1pm, so I had all day for me. I wanted to walk over the town, explore it i was all alone amd I would definitely get lost. I sighed quietly and walked to the window, looked at the street. I was really curious about our new neighbors. I won’t miss the old ones for sure. The old women who was always dissatisfied, family with triplets and a student who was partying all the time. I was hoping to have more normal neighbors here.
- Chanel! – I heard screaming from downstairs. I rolled my eyes and went downstairs, going to my parents bedroom, where mom was screaming.
- What happened? – I asked crossing arms on my chest and leaning against the wall.
- We’ll go together to the center of the city when we’ll all finish, okay? – said my mom, putting one of her favorites paintings on the wall.
- Mhm, sure. Then I’m going to take a bath and change my clothes. – I answered shrugging my shoulders and left the bedroom, going back to my room. At the same time I closed the door I heard a loud screech of tires. I ran to the window but all I could see was that some jerk has just driven off with that screech. Apparently he liked to brag about the expensive car and apparently he was my new neighbour. What the shame that I didn’t run earlier, maybe I could have at least saw him. “Whatever" – I said and went to my wardrobe. All my clothes were perfectly categorized and ironed. I was a perfectionist. I liked to have everything arranged and clear and it was related to both my clothes and my life. I chose a few things and went to the bathroom.
- Are you ready? – asked my dad holding keys to the car when I went downstairs.
- Mhm. – I nodded, putting my cell phone to the handbag. I walked to the mirror and applied lip gloss on my lips.
- We’re just going shopping, Chanel. – he added staying near the front door. I rolled my eyes theatrically. My dad hated when boys were around me. He thought that I’m too young and at my age I’m supposed to study. Mom was always by my side saying that they were dating at my age. It was kind of an argument but my dad was hard to convince.
- I always need to look good. – I shrugged, hiding my lip gloss to handbag. Dad just shook his head and went to check something in the kitchen.
- Don’t worry about this. – my mom smiled, improving bag on her shoulder. – Let’s go, dad will join us later.
Outdoors I immediately felt warm sunlight which reminded me of how I hate high temperatures.
- Do you know something about our new neighbors? – I asked mum, reminding about previous situation.
- Completely nothing. We’ll have to get to know them. – she answered and smiled.
- I’m scared of tomorrow. I have no idea if people in new school will like me. I’ll appear at the end of the semester. – I said changing the subject and gasped quietly.
- Don’t worry, everything is going to be okay, they’ll like you. It’s a very good high school, the best in Phoenix.
- I hope that you’re right. – I smiled and then dad came so we got into the car.
After shopping in the supermarket which last about an hour, we went to the restaurant in the centre to eat something. I choose french fries and cola and I sat comfortably on a chair. Then I heard my iPhone ringing so I said “sorry" to my parents and I walked away for a moment.
- Hi! – I said with a smile. It was Melanie, my best friend from Chicago.
-Hi Chanel! Tell me quickly! How’s new city, house, room? Have you met anyone yet? Do you have any handsome neighbour?
- First things first. – I laughed. – So, Phoenix is smaller than Chicago but of course it isn’t small. It’s a big, really nice city. The house and the room are really wonderful! And no, imagine that I didn’t meet anyone in a few hours.
- I’m glad that you like the new place. – she said nicely. – What about neighbour? – she added dreamily .
- I have no idea, I don’t know my neighbours yet. But it’ll be wonderful if they’ll be at least half normal in contrast to the old ones.
And we both laughed at this moment.
- Necessarily call me tomorrow and tell me about first day in your new school because if you won’t I’ll be offended!
- I will, I will. – I said with a smile on my face. – But now I have to go, my parents are waiting. I’ll call you tomorrow, I promise.
- Okay, bye.
I put down the phone and went back to the restaurant. I sat next to my parents on my place.
- Eat, because it’ll be cold. – said my mom while eating a salad. I put my phone into my handbag and started eating.
After about a half hour we decided to went back home. Road from the centre to our home lasted about 20 minutes by car.
After a bath I was so tired and I just went to bed. Despite the fact I was really sleepy I couldn’t sleep. I was still thinking about tomorrow. I was scared about my new school. I had a stomach ache because of stress but I was trying to calm down. I closed my eyes and I fall asleep after about a hour.
***
So, here it is. The first chapter of "Love is not easy, baby". Obviously it's kind of boring chapter, because there is an advantage of decriptions. But I promise you, it's just the beginning of the best fanfiction ever. See u next week ande I hope you'll enjoy it!
@dreamstratf0rd