PART 2 "So what are your plans for tonight?" Alex asks me while we are driving home. "I don't know, we may just stay in and study. What are you doing tonight?" I ask. He just shrugs his shoulders in response. I smile at him. "You and Kyle are going to the club tonight, huh?" He casts a shocked look at me as he returns to looking straight ahead. "You are? You weren't going to tell me. I can't believe you. I thought you told me everything," I exclaim, pretending to be hurt. Just as we turn into our driveway, Alex says, "And you and Maria aren't going to the club?" I look at him with a mischievous grin and say, "Maria is coming over at 6, so I can help her study and with an extra credit project. She'll be spending the night. Is that alright?" I ask innocently. "That's it, nothing else?" he asks suspiciously as we walk into the kitchen. "Well, we really didn't discuss anything," I say nonchalantly. "I already know you and Maria are going to the club," he says accusingly. "I can't believe you're trying to make me feel bad, when you plan on doing the same thing." "Whatever," I say shrugging my shoulders. "Just don't tell Maria's mom." He laughs at me saying, "Okay, I won't only if you don't tell Kyle's dad." We shake hands. "It's a deal." "Just remember you have to wake up early tomorrow, because we have to be at school early." "I know," I say, sighing as I start on my homework. ************************************************************************ My mom's voice wakes me up from my trance saying, "Isabel, Max, Michael, we're here." Realizing that the car is stopped in front of a stunning house, I open the door to get out and nudge Isabel, who looks like she isn't waking up. She looks my way and I say, "We're here." She rushes me out of the car as she looks up with her mouth hanging open. "This house is so beautiful, Daddy," Isabel says in awe. "I'm glad you like it, sweetie. Wait until you get inside," our father says as he's unlocking the door. I have to admit, my old man outdid himself with this house. It's even more gorgeous on the inside. I also notice that he bought new furniture that compliments the Victorian ambiance of the house. My mother is going to love decorating this place. I look over at Isabel, and she looks stunned. Correction. My mom and Isabel are going to love decorating this place. After looking around the lower level of the house, I ask my father which room is mine. He looks at me and says, "The master bedroom belongs to your mom and me. You kids can decide which one you want amongst yourselves." Before those words are out of his mouth, both Max and Isabel run up the stairs to choose. I follow behind at my own pace, and when I arrive at the top of the staircase, I look around. After watching Isabel go in and out of every room excitedly she finally yells, "Oh my god, this is so beautiful." I follow her voice to see what all the excitement is about. Looking at the room, it has Isabel written all over it. There's this big bay window with a beautiful view that gives off the right amount of light. I can tell she's in love with this one. Then I hear Max yell, "I found mine." Isabel and I walk towards him to see which one he selected. It looks similar to the one he left in New York. That's probably why he chose that one. He was never really good at change. Now that everyone else has chosen their rooms, it's my turn to start surveying the remaining rooms. To my amazement there are three rooms left. Well actually two. One of them is the master bedroom. Just looking at the location of each room I know which one to examine first. I walk towards the one that is the farthest from the rest of the rooms. It's the one down the hall and across from the master bedroom. When I enter the room, I notice that there are three other doors inside. I open the first door I come to and behind it is a spacious closet. I don't think I'll ever be able to fill this up. The second door leads to a huge bathroom. I wonder if every room has their own bathroom. I know this is my room when I open the third door. I could leave whenever I want without disturbing anyone. This room actually has its own exit. I hear my father yelling for us to come downstairs. I close my own private door and leave my new room. Isabel and Max are already halfway down the stairs when I approach the stairs. When I join the rest of my family, our father starts his little speech. "I just want you to unpack the important stuff, because you are not going to be up all night unpacking. You have the whole weekend for that. You all will be attending school tomorrow, so I don't want you up all night. Tomorrow will be your first day, and I want all of you to be on your best behavior," he says, looking directly at me when making his last statement. "The school you will be attending, West Roswell High, has this program called the welcome committee. This is where their honor students of each grade level give tours and introduce new students to all the teachers. Since they had a shortage of volunteers, there are only two assigned to you three. Their names are." pausing to read off a sheet of paper, he continues, "their names are Elizabeth and Alexander Parker." Isabel and Max chuckle quietly. He looks up to see what the commotion is about, sternly saying, "What's so funny?" "Well when you said their names, the image I picture is Elizabeth being a short fat girl with 2 ponytails and braces. For Alexander, I imagine a tall skinny guy with polyester high water pants, thick rim glasses, and a pocket protector," Max says while laughing. I have to smirk at that. My father just looks at him and shakes his head. "Since you two are in the same grade," he says while pointing at Max and me, "your guide will be Elizabeth Parker. According to the principal and guidance counselor, she is a very intelligent young woman. Therefore, I want you two to be on your best behavior. Especially you Michael," he says sternly while pointing at me. I give him a mock salute and aggressively say, "Yes sir!" He looks at me firmly, then he softens his expression and turns his attention to Isabel. "Since you're a senior, Alexander will be your guide." "So now that I finished my little speech, you guys can start getting unpacked or you can go around town and get acquainted with our new home. However, remember, not too late. You have to be at the school early for all the introductions. That's all I have to say." When he's finished, he turns from us and goes to the living room to join our mother. I bring Isabel's bags and mine upstairs and head towards my room. I unpack all my clothes within the next half hour and head out through my own private door. Let's see what this town is all about. |