You!

New country

"Excuse me!"

"Excuse you!" I said back to the Barbie doll who just pushed me out of the bathroom.

Rude! I thought to myself while making my way back to my seat.

the sun's rays filtered through the small window of the cramped aeroplane. My mother sat next to me, her eyes closed and earphones in, seemingly unfazed by the bombshell she had dropped on me just 48 hours ago. We were moving across the country to live with her new husband and my newly acquired stepbrother on the coastline of San Diego.

Oh yes, did I forget to mention I have a stepbrother now?

Urrgghh!

It all started when my mother swooped in like a ninja and whisked me away from everything I knew. My friends, my school, my comfort zone, and four months left of high school, were all left behind in the dust as we embarked on a journey to her new husband. And let me tell you, after years of feeling like an outcast, finally finding my tribe felt like striking gold.

But of course, it wasn't all rainbows and unicorns. Oh no, being teased for being a loner and a nerd had taken its toll on me. I mean, who wouldn't be scarred after years of being called a social outcast? And to top it all off, we were broke. Like, eating ramen noodles for every meal broke.

I couldn't afford to go to parties, movie nights, or dances like the other kids. While they were out socializing and having fun, I was stuck at home, feeling sorry for myself.

But, after working a few shifts at the corner diner in Rose Street in Virginia, I finally made some friends and they didn't care that I didn't have much money or that I spent most of my time buried in books. They saw me for me, and that was all that mattered.

Well, that was until my mother decided to get married and string me along to stay with her billionaire husband and his son.

Sitting next to my mother, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger towards her. There she was, lounging in her chair with a content smile on her face as if she had just hit the jackpot. Well, she kinda did. Meanwhile, I felt like I had just undergone open heart surgery, with all the pain and vulnerability that came with it.

I shot her a look, rolling my eyes in exasperation. How could she be so carefree while I was left feeling like a wounded animal? It was just typical of her to bask in her good fortune while I wallowed in my misery.

As the plane descended towards the runway, the captain's voice crackled over the intercom, "Please fasten your seatbelt as we prepare for landing." My mother, who had been dozing off with her mouth hanging open, suddenly snapped awake with a double-chin smile plastered on her face. It was a sight to behold, and not in a good way.

I mean, can you imagine that? Seeing your mother sporting a double-chin smile? It's like a nightmare come to life. I tried to stifle a laugh, but it was no use. The sight was just too ridiculous.

the plane landed on the runway with a jolt, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. My mother, ever the eternal optimist, turned to me with a smile plastered on her face. "Aren't you excited to be here?" she chirped, her enthusiasm grating on my last nerve.

I rolled my eyes at her for what felt like the hundredth time since we boarded the plane. "Thrilled," I deadpanned, mustering up a fake smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.

"Oh come on Leah, it's going to be great!" my mother exclaimed, as she took me by the shoulders and practically dragged me off the plane. I stumbled along, trying to keep up with her boundless energy.

I strolled off the aeroplane, and my eyes landed on a shiny silver Mercedes casually parked in the no-zone parking area. Of course, it had to be Mr. Anderson. The man who seemed to have an air of importance that allowed him to flout the rules without a care in the world.