Lessons Learned

Chapter 1: Moving and New Neighbors

Picture of Alex Burr

*Alex*

"Mom, why can't I just stay here and live with Austin? He's already offered me a room at his house," I tried to reason with my mother. Right now we were packing up to go to California. Not even a small town, they were throwing me right into the city of Malibu. My father took up a job offer.

"Alex, no. Now finish packing up before I have to tell you again," she said sternly. I knew she meant business.

My face fell and I said, "yes, ma'am."

I left the living room and went up to my room. Most of my things were already packed and ready be put into the moving truck. Mom and Dad agreed to let me drive my Chevy truck over. I just got it for my junior year of high school. I worked most of my life to save up and buy that truck. I wasn't gonna just leave it. I only had it for six months.

"Hello, Mrs. Burr. May I go up and see Alex really fast?" I heard Rilee, my on and off girlfriend, ask.

"Of course, Rilee. He's in his room packing."

"Thank you," Rilee said cheerfully.

I stood in the middle of the hallway until I saw her. "What could you possibly want?" I asked smirking at her.

I saw tears come to her eyes and then she looked away. "I'm just really going to miss you Alex. I can't believe you have to leave."

"Oh, Rilee, don't do all that. They have something called a cellphone and Skype for a reason," I said hugging her tightly to my chest.  I hated seeing her cry, especially when I was the cause if it.

"I know it's just not going to be the same," she said pulling away from me. Her blue eyes were glimmering with unshed tears. She's gorgeous though. Her brown hair fell down to the bottom of her back and it was straight. She had an awesome body too.

"I will call you every night. You know I won't forget about you."

"I know. I have to get back home, but I wanted to see you before you left."

"Okay. I will call you once we get to California. Bye," I said kissing her forehead.

"Bye."

I decided to call Austin and tell him we were leaving at 3 o'clock.

"Hey, dude!" Austin yelled through the phone.

"Hey! I wanted to call and tell you that we are leaving for Malibu at 3 o'clock."

"Have I told you how lucky you are?" Austin asked.

"How so?" I asked laughing.

"Alex, if I have to tell you then you're dumb. You're going to Malibu. Hot chicks!"

"Austin, don't call them chicks. They are girls. Besides I already have Rilee." The truth was I didn't want some uptight girl from the city.

"You do realize they are not all stuck up, right?" Austin asked as if he was reading my mind.

"Ain't none of them going to want some country guy like me," I said smirking. "Anyway, I just wanted to tell you I'm leaving for my twenty-seven-hour car trip."

"That sounds like a fun car ride."

"It will be. I'm driving my truck, by myself," I said and thanked God at the same time.

"Can I come with you?" Austin asked, sounding completely serious.

"Austin... are you being serious right now?" I asked slightly excited, but not getting my hopes up.

"Completely! I mean I live by myself anyway. Plus, who would object to senior year on the beach."

I knew he was serious now. "Hang on. Let me ask mom. I'll call you back."

I ran downstairs and talked to my mom. She said she didn't have a problem with it mostly because my attitude improved. I called Austin back and he picked up on the first ring. "Pack up. We are going to Malibu!" I yelled through the phone.

"Yes! I'm on my way over now."

"Did you assume she would say yes?" I asked him laughing.

"No, but I was hoping," he said with a big laugh.

"Okay. See you soon," I said hanging up. I guess it wouldn't be all bad to go to Malibu.

*Olivia*

"You're getting new neighbors?" Caroline Reynolds, my best friend asked.

"Yeah. I guess they have a son that will be coming here. The dad works at the hospital with my dad," I said smiling.

"Wait. You're telling me that there's going to be a new student three weeks before school ends?" Tyler, my other friend asked.

"I guess," I said shrugging my shoulders.

"Is he lucky or what?" Tyler asked leaning back in his chair at our lunch table.

"How?" Caroline asked.

This time it was my brother that spoke up. "Girls are so oblivious. This kid is going to be here long enough to make a few friends and that's it. Then it's summer."

I just rolled my eyes. "Yeah, but he has to move away from his home."

"Whatever," Jonathan said rolling his eyes.

The bell rang, and we all headed for class. I could tell the guys were already jealous. I, on the other hand, was very curious. I went through the rest of my day and drove home. Jonathan, my brother, had baseball practice. I don't do any sports other than volleyball and cheerleading, so I was free to go home.

When I pulled onto my road, I saw the moving van. As I drove closer I saw two boys unloading. They both looked about my age. One was tall with blonde hair. He looked a whole lot like a city boy. Not someone I would assume came from Mississippi. The other one was taller with black hair. I could tell he wasn't a city boy. He had cowboy boots and wrangler jeans, which made his butt look awesome.  Stop! No Olivia! I thought to myself. 

As soon as I got out of my car, I heard a whistle. I turned to see the one with black hair smack the one with blonde hair. I just smiled at them and waved. There was no sense in being rude.

I walked in to find a note from my mom that said she went up to the store to grab groceries and that I should be ready to have dinner with our new neighbors. Great! The guy who's butt I just complimented in my head and his obnoxious friend.

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