The car rolled to a stop in the sprawling driveway, and I couldn't help but let out a low whistle. This place was massive – the kind of house you only saw in movies or on the pages of celebrity gossip magazines.
It was like stepping into a whole new world, one where money flowed like water and palm trees were a dime a dozen.
I climbed out of the car and shielded my eyes from the bright California sun, taking in the sight before me.
The house was a pristine white, with palm trees swaying gently in the breeze and perfectly manicured lawns stretching out in every direction. It was like something out of a dream – or maybe a nightmare, depending on how you looked at it.
I grabbed a box from the trunk and followed my dad and Angela up the front steps, my sneakers sinking into the plush carpeting with each step. As we made our way inside, I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer opulence of it all.
The walls were painted a bright, cheerful yellow, and the floors gleamed with polish. It was like walking into a palace – if palaces came with built-in surround sound and a gourmet kitchen.
I trailed behind my dad and Angela as they led the way through the house, my eyes darting around the room like a kid in a candy store. This place was huge – way bigger than our old house back in Texas. I couldn't even begin to imagine what it would be like to live here.
We finally made it to my room, and I couldn't help but gasp as I stepped inside. It was massive – easily twice the size of my old room – and painted a soothing shade of aqua blue. There was a huge bed in the center of the room, with fluffy pillows and a comforter that looked like it cost more than my entire wardrobe. I couldn't wait to dive in and make myself at home.
But as I started unpacking my boxes, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. This was supposed to be a fresh start – a chance for me and my dad to leave the past behind and start over in a new city. But now that we were here, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at everything we were leaving behind.
I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on unpacking, determined to make the best of this new chapter in our lives. But my resolve was tested when I accidentally bumped into someone in the hallway.
"Oops, sorry about that," I muttered, glancing up to see a guy with light brown hair and striking green eyes looking down at me with a smirk.
"No problem," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "Just watch where you're going next time, okay?"
I rolled my eyes and muttered something under my breath as I hurried past him, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Great, I thought to myself. First day in LA, and I'm already making a fool of myself in front of the locals.
But as I made my way back downstairs, I couldn't help but notice the way Angela was beaming at me, her eyes shining with excitement. She was so happy – happier than I had seen her in a long time – and it made me feel guilty for being such a downer.
"Hey, Kayley," she said, coming over to give me a hug. "What do you think of the place?"
"It's... it's amazing," I said, forcing a smile. "Really."
And it was amazing – there was no denying that. But as I looked around at the huge, empty rooms and the pristine, white walls, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. This wasn't home – not yet, anyway.
But maybe, just maybe, it could be.
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