Alaska || Auston Matthews

one

ALASKA

Friday. Usually, I'm excited for Fridays because they signal the start of the weekend. However, now that I'm in Toronto, I have nothing to look forward to on the weekends except for the occasional wander around the city -- alone.

I have some friends at my new school, but I'm not super close to most of them except for Carly. Carly was the first person I met at my new high school and we hit it off immediately. She was the one who introduced me to my other friends. I've hung out with them a few times, but I mostly keep to myself.

Outside of school, my life is even more boring. My mother's new husband Tom is the reason we moved to Toronto. He works in the city as a high-end investment banker and business owner, so you can imagine how much money he makes. I never knew how well off Tom was until we moved into his house located just beyond downtown. It's ridiculously huge and flashy. And now that I've gotten to know Tom, he's the same way: flashy and slightly arrogant about his status. 

My mom loves it, though. She eats it all up. The expensive clothes, the trips, the house, the cars. She absolutely loves it. I like it to, but I don't get caught up in the all materialistic things Tom has. Instead, I judge him based off his character which as of now, scores him solid C-.

"Hey, are you doing anything tonight?" Carly asks, jogging over to me in the parking lot. School has just ended, meaning I can finally go home and do absolutely nothing. However, I do have one obligation.

"My mom and Tom are making me go out to dinner with them," I tell her with a frown. 

"That sucks. Are you sure you can't get out of it? Karina is having a party at her house and I really want you to come," she says sadly. As much as I'd actually like to go to the party, I know I won't be able to get out of dinner.

"Yeah, they're sticklers for these kinds of things," I say, continuing toward my car.

"Alright. Well, if you get out of dinner early, you should drop by! She lives on Maple street. You'll know which house," she says, stopping next to her car. 

"Sounds good. See you later," I say, climbing into my black Jeep, courtesy of Tom. Carly smiles and waves before shutting her door and driving off. I do the same, driving the route to Tom's house I've grown accustomed to. 

After parking my car in the driveway, I enter the house through the side door. The house was quiet other than the quiet hum of warm air circulating through vents, heating the house. I make my way to the kitchen where I grab a water from the fridge. I twist the bottle open and take a sip, looking around the oversized room. No one needs this much counter space. 

Speaking of counters, my eyes land on a pink slip of paper resting on the far end of the marble. I walk over and begin to scan over the words.

Alaska-

I went to get my nails done and do a bit of shopping. I should be back around 6 and Tom should be home from work around then as well. Remember, family dinner at 7! Please dress nicely.

xo- Mom

I roll my eyes at the note. I don't know why she even bothers to leave these anymore. I assume every time she's gone, she's either shopping, getting a spa treatment, or pampering herself in some other way.

I toss the note in the garbage and jog up the staircase, down the hall, and into my room. I must say, it is gorgeous. I hate that it's exactly how I pictured my dream room.