About an hour later, I finally finished packing up and dragged my suitcase out of the door. The others are already done packing and they were all standing by the van rented to pick us up with their luggage already stuffed into the van.
I dragged my suitcase over and Jasper immediately took it from me and lifted it up. Then, he placed it on the stack of luggage.
As I looked up at my parents and I saw them looking at the mansion. Their gazes were hooded and I could more or less see the disappointment and heartache in their gazes.
I also looked at the mansion. We've been living in the house for more than twelve years. I remembered quite well that I was only six when we moved into the mansion.
As I now stared at the mast of the house stretched in the courtyard, I couldn’t help but tear up. All of us were attached to the house and it was our haven. It was inevitable that we would feel strange.
My younger brother, John was looking at us quietly. His eyes widened and he was staring back at the house with his clear and open eyes. He didn’t seem to understand what was wrong with us.
“Cough-” Dad suddenly coughed lightly as he gave mom a side hug. Then, he turned towards the van. “It’s time to leave. Let's go.”
We all understood his words and retracted our gazes away from the building a little reluctantly. For me, it felt as though the moment I turned, I would be leaving a part of my soul there.
Mom and Dad entered the van first, followed by Jasper and John. Just as I was about to enter the van, I suddenly noticed two figures standing in the distance.
They were especially eye-catching and I immediately noticed them. I couldn't mistake them for anyone, after all, they were once the people closest to me. Yet they were the ones who hurt me the most.
At first, I was surprised to see them. But, as I looked closer, I saw that they were actually smiling at me.
It was not just any smile… though. It was a derisive and contemptuous smile. They were mocking me.
I stiffened and my heart tightened. It felt as though my heart was being gripped and squeezed tightly. It felt painful.
So painful.
But, I knew better than to let them see me like this. I can’t let them see me at my weakest points and rejoice in what they have done.
Without another look at them, I stepped into the van. The door closed and the driver stepped on the accelerator.
I looked back to check if they were still there. And like I expected, they were there watching me.
I sat up straight and faced front, straightening my posture. Even if I felt as though I was about to die from the pain, I won’t give them a chance to think they broke me.
Even if they actually did.
I held my breath and kept my focus on the road as we drove. I could feel Jasper's gaze on me and I had a guess of what he was thinking. But, I didn’t pay him any attention. I didn’t dare to look his way too lest he saw how fallen I’d become.
The car had long past our house and I couldn’t see those adulterous couples any longer. As the car drove through the streets, we passed by the restaurant Chris and I used to have our dates, I remembered those times.
The way we used to cozy around each other. The way he always liked to whisper into my ears during class. The way he would always try to make me laugh whenever I was angry.
Tears pooled in my eyes.
But in the end…
He cheated. He cheated on me. With my best friend.
I could not hold it any longer. The tears just came running down like a dam. I threw myself into Jasper's arms and I began to sob.
Like a child.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It was about five hours later when the van finally pulled up at the front doors of our new apartment. We arrived in Seattle.
Everyone piled out of the car in an orderly fashion and took their luggage from the trunk. Dad stayed behind to pay up the driver. While the rest of us proceeded to enter the front white gates that stood in between the fence that surrounded the apartment.
Thankfully, there was a fence and gates. Which meant no nosy neighbors trying to pry.
Although, that was just a little teensy wish of mine. I've never been the kind of bold person that can face a crowd. And, I get embarrassed when someone is being overly nice to me.
It makes me uncomfortable.
But well... I didn't have much hope.
My mom was one of those types who cultivated a good relationship with neighbors and is familiar with all of them. I could already imagine tons of neighbors dropping over to say hi on a daily basis.
Mom inserted the key in the door and the door opened with a click sound as she turned the key. We all followed behind her with our luggage in hand. John was carrying the least; a duffel bag I bought for him to safe keep his toys.
Well, he was only five.
We were all quiet. It wasn't exactly the peaceful quiet. It was the kind of quiet and low with tension brewing underneath.
And, I could tell it was because of the way I cried in the van earlier. It was more apparent with my parents.
It came as a surprise to them when I suddenly burst into tears. It was the first time I was showing so much reaction. I hadn't even cried when I heard the news that we went bankrupt. Or, when I was told we were moving away.
So, they were unable to understand why I was suddenly crying.
But, they didn't question me then. They simply tried to pet me and get me to stop crying. But, I could tell from their expressions that I was in for a lot of questioning sessions with my parents.
It was inevitable when one had the kind of parents who understood their children well. And knew when they were crying over leaving their former house and when they were crying over being betrayed.
Dad was soon done talking with the driver as they parted ways with a comfortable smiles on both of their faces. They had surely haggled over a price that benefited both of 'em.
And my brother and I had made several rounds in and out of the apartments shuffling the bags in. When dad joined in, we only had one more round to make and everything was soon inside the living room.
I didn't dare to stay for long in the living room with the rest because I knew they were going to question me. So, I simply escaped into the main apartment under the guise of looking around.
The apartment was really nice. Even better than I imagined. It had three bedrooms; one of which would be mine. The two boys would have to share one.
It wasn't exactly big or wide. But the structure was nice and beautiful too. Only it needed some cleaning. It was inevitable having left it for two years untouched.
I pulled open the door of a room. It was the last in the row. And from the moment I entered, I already knew in my mind it was gonna be mine. I was going to stake a claim on it before anyone else.
It had a shelf I could arrange my sets of books. I had a lot of books because I enjoyed reading. I wasn't exactly a nerd or bookish person. But, I totally enjoyed being wrapped in some warm clothes and reading in the lounge on an autumn evening.
It also had a two-way wardrobe. It was nice and I liked the prospect of splitting the arrangement of my clothes.
I looked around for some more. And then, I noticed a beautiful sight behind the closed window sills.
There was a long stretch of land that I supposed was the backyard. In the middle, there was a swing hung at either side. Although it was wrapped up in overgrown grasses due to being abandoned, I could tell it was a long swing.
I immediately leaked a smile and my heart felt a little warmer. It was not bad to get to read some romance books on the swing in the evenings. It felt nice and heartwarming.
There was also the view of the horizon. I could see it from here. But, I bet it would be better when seated on the swing.
Damn- Grans really left a whole lot of enjoyment in this cottage.
I was taking this room. Nothing could change that.
But just then, the door opened with a swing and Jasper's head popped in. He looked around for a moment before beaming widely.
"This looks nice. We are taking this, Johnny." He commented.
No. No.