Broken Promises

chapter 1-

When I imagined moving all the way across the country, it never felt like this.

I grew up in California and most of my family lives there. My mom and dad claimed they wanted a "change". But that's not true at all.

They decided to move to New Jersey. Why? I don't know. Maybe because it's literally across the freaking country. Or maybe because it was far away from everyone and what they knew, or thought they knew. My family has always been closed off, just the three of us. No siblings. My parents have always been happy with just me.

I never really see my dad much. He's a surgeon, a heart surgeon to be exact. He spent most of his life in school and is probably the most uptight person i've ever met. He's strict with me, never letting me do anything out of the ordinary and god forbid I misbehave.

My mom though, is sweet. A polar opposite of my father. Their love story is cute though. They grew up next door to each other and my mom always had a crush on my dad. He never noticed until senior year of high school and by then, it was too late. My dad had his heart set to go to an ivy league college and become a heart surgeon (no pun intended) and unfortunately my mom had to wait. But, she did obviously and everything turned out almost okay.

My thoughts were interrupted by my mom.

"1 hour to go!" she said excitedly from the front seat. That makes one of us.

My dad looked at me through the front rear view mirror, "Serenity, are you excited?"

No, not at all. This upcoming year will be the start of high school for me. I left all my friends back in California. I know absolutely nobody. Am I excited to be spending my first year of high school alone? Probably having to sit alone at lunch? Oh yes i'm jumping for joy. I can't wait.

I just shrugged my shoulders. I didn't want to start an argument, because if I tell him i'm not excited at all that's exactly what would happen.

My dad narrowed his eyes in the mirror

"You don't know?"

God why can't he just drop it? I might as well lie at this point.

"I don't know I'm just nervous, I guess. New school, new people I don't know. It's a big change". Which is not a complete lie. I am nervous to be the 'new girl'. I've never moved schools before and I practically grew up with all of my friends back in California.

My dad nodded in the mirror. "It's okay to be nervous, Serenity. But sometimes change can be really good. You might be nervous now, but when the time comes you'll do just great in a new school."

My mom joined in the conversation. "Exactly, sweetheart. You're such a good kid and extremely friendly. You'll thrive in this school." She turned around in her seat and held out her picky.

I smiled. We make pinky promises all the time. I connected my pinky with hers.

"I promise you'll do great." she said and kissed her hand. I kissed my hand too and she turned back around.

I picked my book back up that I was reading earlier and tried to block out their conversation. I was reading Lolita for the 3rd time. I hated reading when other people were around, I couldn't focus as well.

By the time I finished Lolita for the 4th time, we arrived at our new house. It was a closed off neighborhood, for the wealthy. My dad drove up the gated community and we were off to look for our new home. Each house was spread out with big backyards and pools. The houses were huge.

Our house in California wasn't as big as these houses. My dad already found a job here at the hospital, so thankfully he won't be home as often. Sometimes surgeries take hours, maybe even days.

We pulled up to our house and it was a big and brick.  I don't see a pool, and we don't really have any close neighbors.

"Let's go inside!" my mom cheered happily.

I smiled. She's like a little kid.

The U-haul pulled up behind us filled with all our belongings.

"Let's go, Serenity" my father said opening his car door. I rolled my eyes and got out, grabbing my book and backpack. We walked inside the house and it was so pretty.

We walked into the foyer and there were a big stair case leading up. My parents were off in the kitchen and I went up the stairs, searching for my room. I walked through the hallway and I dragged my finger across the wall. I stopped at the door right at the end of the hall. I opened the door and it was perfect. There was a giant book shelf and a walk in closet. The room was a good size and pretty much perfect. I smiled.

"Mom! I think I found my new room."

I did a little dance and twirled, I was actually starting to get excited. I set my backpack down and started picturing where I was going to put everything.

"Hey Serenity, get down here!" My mom called downstairs. I set my book down on the shelf and started to walk downstairs.

I paused when I saw a women in the doorway who I don't know, with a muffin basket in her hand. Who is this?

"Hi! I'm Mrs. Larsen, but you can call me Anna, your neighbor. My husband and I live down the road." the women introduced herself.

My mom smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Anna. I'm Emily, and this is my husband Kenny." She points to my dad and he smiles his fake smile I know all too well.

"And this- she points to me- is my daughter, Serenity".

I smile. "Hi, it's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Larsen." I go to shake her hand and she returns.

"Oh, Just call me Anna."

I nod.

"So where did you guys move from?" the lady asks.

My father cut in before my mom could answer.

"We moved from Sacramento, California, I work for a hospital and the position here was much better. I couldn't refuse."

"Oh, wow that's great news. What grade are you in Serenity, if you don't mind me asking of course."

"I'm actually a freshman, just starting high school this year." I give a small smile.

"Oh wow that's great! I have a son just starting high school as well. I also have three other kids, all in high school, except for my baby girl who's in 8th grade." She rambles on, she seems so nice. I smell a new friendship between her and my mom.

"How nice! Maybe your son can show Serenity around if he doesn't mind." My mom says smiling.

"Oh, Em. Let's not get to ahead of ourselves." My dad says, stepping in.

Of course, he doesn't want me talking to a boy. God forbid it. I turn my head and roll my eyes at his comment. He's too overprotective for his own good.

Anna laughs, clearly thinking he's joking.

"Well, I better get going, welcome to the neighborhood!" Anna says while giving my mom the muffin basket.

"Bye! Thank you for the basket" My mom says while Anna is walking out of the door. I hear her say bye through the door.

"She seems so sweet." My moms puts the basket on the ground and dusts of her hands.

"Kenny, come help me unload the car, will you?"

"Sure thing, Em." My dad says opening the door and walking out with my mom to the car.

I stay in the foyer thinking about my first day of school on Monday. It's Friday, so I have two days before hell officially starts. Walking in, with no friends and no clue where i'm going should be so fun.

I wonder if her son is nice.

A/n: AHHH first chapter finished!!!! I'm sorry it's a little slow, but bare with me here. How do you guys like Serenity? I can't wait for you guys to meet Anna's son😏

Spoiler alert, Serenity but he is not nice.