NEW EVERYTHING
Aurora's pov
I stood in front of my childhood home remembering all the moments I shared with my parents. Every corner, every patch of grass held a moment I shared with them. I really missed them.
***************
"Aurora my child be careful you might end up drowning yourself" my mum says with concern as my nine-years-old self went further into the lake
"Mum it's not even that deep!"I screamed back giggling mischievously."I'm not afraid," I added proudly.
"That's my girl" dad hypes me more but immediately changes his tongue as mum shoots him a sharp look.
"I mean.. don't give your mum a heart attack, she still has your little brother inside of her"
I sigh "fine fine I'm coming" swimming back to the land.
Dad scooped me up and hoisted me on his shoulder "that's my princess"
I giggle louder as he runs around with me on his big shoulders. I felt like I was on top of the world.
"Elias! Aurora! dinner's ready!" mum calls from inside.
I sigh , I didn't want to go in yet, me and dad were having so much fun.
" Don't worry princess, we still have many more times to spend together in future"he promised with a smile as I also copied his action.
"I love you daddy" I say as I snuggle into him "love you too princess."
He carries me inside as we make silly jokes along the house.
PRESENT
I didn't notice the tears streaming from my eyes but soon felt drops of water on my skin.
"oh shit" I quickly said as I ran to my Uber, where all my stuff was already kept.
I'm really doing this. I'm really leaving everything behind but what else did I really have apart from my parents, nothing.
I just wanted a new and fresh start from everything. I didn't want to travel to any famous cities or towns, just a calm and inviting neighborhood would be nice for me.
Driving along a two hour journey from Riverton to my new home –I guess.
I leaned on the window pane and looked around as we moved.The Uber ride stretched on for two long hours from Riverton to Halewoods. I leaned my head against the cool window pane, watching the trees blur past like time.
I couldn't stop imagining Halewoods since I finished browsing online months ago. I can't really wait to find out how it looks.
The surroundings were really nice and welcoming, mostly the nice forestry vibes around –and it looked really calm.
I closed my eyes as I continued my daydream.
"miss...miss"
I felt a tap on my shoulders, I grudgingly opened my eyes.
That was really a nice nap there.
"Yeah" I stretched my arms feeling really exhausted.
"we're here" he said and went to bring out my luggages.
This is really it –"Halewoods"– where I really hope to start afresh.
I tip the driver and just stood there staring at my new home.
The neighborhood really looks nice and warm –inviting actually.
I Aurora Eira Volkov will never live in the past again.
The house didn'not look bad, it's actually nicer than I thought it would look
The house stood at the end of a quiet street, it's simple yet rich design glowing in a soft, warm cream trim. It gave off an air of quiet elegance — not flashy, but undeniably beautiful.
Around it stretched a soft, lush lawn, fresh green and gently swaying in the breeze, bordered by neat shrubs and tall trees that scattered shade across the grass.
The place smelled of earth, leaves, and sun, carrying a sense of calm that settled deep in your chest. Although the weather wasn't sunny it still felt like it.
I already felt at peace and dragged my stuff inside.
The interior design of the house is really what I would call perfect.
I unloaded my stuff which took me hours but I still did it. I looked at the time and found out it was already late –08:50 pm.
I still couldn't believe all this was real. Mum and dad would have been so proud of me and my achievements although I faced many obstacles in the past.
I quickly wiped my tears away and I let out a quiet, bittersweet laugh, caught somewhere between joy and sorrow the kind that tasted of old wounds and new hope, as my fingers brushed against a photo frame, the one taken o of us when I just turned six down by the same lake that was behind our house.
I was at peace then, happiness was as simple as the sun on my face and my father's laugh ringing through the trees or my mum chasing me around to get me dressed.
Nothing worried me that time, no stupid or selfish boyfriend, no evil boss who once tried to violate me.
It was a nice sunny day, where we do our normal family bonding day by just hanging out around the lake with nobody but us.
The picture looked really nice with me on my favorite red striped jumpsuit in a ponytail, smiling proudly with my two front teeth missing clinging on my mum who wore her floral sarong and had worn a loose, white linen shirt, the fabric so light it fluttered in the ocean breeze while dad wore his blue stripe shorts as he leaned on mom.
It was a really nice picture and I still have till now, and I will forever cherish it.
I quickly dropped it back on the side table, the only picture I managed to get from home because of everything.
I headed downstairs to the kitchen to make my dinner but changed my mind and ordered pizza instead.
One thing I still find a mystery in Halewoods is their bushes, they were those bushes –the kind I couldn't explain if I tried.
It is too big, too bushy, and every yard had them, like some unspoken rule of the town.
Not a single soul should trim them. No one questioned them. They just sat there, dense and watchful, as if they were secrets hidden in them like there is something out there lurking around in its darkness.
I kept the remaining pizza in the microwave and went to bed.
Not gonna lie –this room is actually amazing, the queen sized bed, the huge window frame which really reflects the moon light in the dark.
The calm peach color –in fact the contour of the room is what I would say is top notch.
After finishing up in the bathroom and going through my usual nighttime routine.
I slipped into bed, sinking into the soft, comforting warmth of the sheets.
I woke up feeling really thirsty at 2:30 in the morning.
Feeling drowsy and tired, I immediately headed downstairs to get a glass of water in the kitchen.
I heard a furtive shuffle and immediately opened my kitchen window but saw nothing but an empty backyard.
Everywhere was eerie quiet with the early morning fog around. But still I'm certain I heard a distinct sound outside.
The backyard trees and bushes sent this chill feeling around and their shadow created by the moonlight made them look darker and denser under the moon's glow.
The moon was really bright and a full moon at that.
There was something about it that felt... off. But I couldn't stop staring.. It was wonderful and satisfying to look at.
After a while and nothing was seen, I let out a sigh, maybe it was the wind playing mind games with me.
I drank the water and kept some in my bottle in case I woke up again in
need of water.
I headed back upstairs,though my mind lingered on that rustle sound I'd swore I heard.