Dreams or Reality

Move in Day

*Please go back and re-read the previous chapters if you have not already done so*

I turned around and walked back into my empty room. I closed and locked the doors behind me before making my way into the hallway. I continued further up the stairs, exploring the upper level of the house. The stairs stopped in the middle of a hallway. The right side is a room that will later be turned into dad’s office. Next to it is a cute, half-bath. The left side is filled with closets made for storage.

I walk down to the first story to help Dad unload the trailer. He opens the door and I hop inside and start to hand him things and he goes back inside to drop them off. As I wait for him to get back, I hear him shout for Marley to come help. I searched for things we’ll need for tonight so I could get those out first. I spotted the two air mattresses and made my way towards them, strategically avoiding the other random furniture and boxes. By that time Dad and Marley came back outside.

“Catch!” I threw both the boxes at Dad. He caught the first one just fine, but barely managed to grasp the other one before it could fall.

“Millie!” Dad let out an exasperated sigh as I smirked at him and Marley giggled.

“What? It’s not my fault that old age is wearing down your reaction time.” I shrugged and he carefully placed the boxes on the concrete driveway.

“Old age?! I’ll show you old age!” I turned and tried to run to the back of the trailer but before I could move, I felt him grab my lower legs. He spun me around and pulled me onto his shoulder. I squealed and kicked my feet. Marley doubled over in laughter. “Oh you think this is funny, huh?” He swooped down and pulled her over his other shoulder.

He walked onto the grass and started spinning us in circles. “Ahhh, okay, okay, I’m sorry, you’re totally not old!!” I managed to giggle out, trying not to throw up my breakfast.

“Yeah yeah, what she said,” Marley laughed out. He stopped spinning and gently put us down. “Woah,” Marley stuck out her hands to catch her fall from all the dizziness. I wasn’t far behind her, but managed to get my footing. She rolled onto her back and giggled, “Let’s do that again!”

I shook my head at her and smiled, my hands resting on my knees, catching my breath. “No thanks,” I chuckled and walked back to the moving van once my world stopped spinning. Dad helped Marley up off the ground and they walked over to the trailer as well.

“Let’s just grab a few blankets and our suitcases out the back of the tailgate. The sun is setting and it’ll be dark soon, we can get the rest tomorrow.” Dad motioned for us with a wave of his hand. Me and Marley opened the backdoor and collected all our blankets and I grabbed my backpack. Dad got our suitcases and duffle bags out of the tailgate and set them on the ground. Marley grabbed up her luggage and went back inside. Dad and I scooped up ours and wheeled it inside after locking the truck.

“Man, I’m beat,” I groaned, “And starved - what’s for dinner?” Marley perked up at the mention of food.

“Hmm, how about Chinese? I saw a little restaurant when we passed through town.” Dad pointed out.

“Yeah, that sounds good. Do you think they deliver? I don’t really feel like going out.”

“I’m sure they do. While I make the call, how about you and Marley set up the mattresses and get dressed for bed.” I nodded and grabbed the boxes, dropping one off in Dad’s room, before making my way upstairs. Since there’s only two, I have to sleep with Marley.

“So do you wanna sleep in my room or yours tonight?” I asked her.

“Mine please.” I nodded and walked into her bedroom. I knelt down with the box, opened it up and pulled the mattress out. I switched the button on, and while it was blowing up with air, I grabbed Marley’s hand and went back downstairs. We walked into Dad’s room and I repeated the process with his mattress. Then Marley and I went into the master bathroom and I closed and locked the door. Since I still had my backpack on, I didn’t have to search through our suitcases for our pajamas. I helped Marley undress into her night clothes, then did the same after she left the bathroom.

By the time I finished, the doorbell rang, “I’ll get it!” I hollered as I walked to the door.

“Alright, the food’s already paid for.”

I opened the door and the sweet aroma of sesame chicken and fried rice filled my nose. “Thank you,” I reached out my hand to receive the bag.

“Anytime miss.” The delivery boy smiled back at me. He was cute with shaggy black hair and silver eyes - He had a skater-boy vibe to him. I shut the door after he turned to walk away and made my way into the kitchen. Marley was practically bouncing in her seat.

“Chill girl, chill.” I shook my head at her antics and dished out our food. After our tummy’s were officially full, Marley let out a big yawn which I then followed.

“Well then, I guess it’s time for bed. I’ll see you two sleepy heads in the morning. Goodnight, love you.”

“I love you too, Dad. Come on Marley.” I picked her up out of her chair and made my way up the stairs.

“Night Daddy, love you.” She buried her face in the side of my neck.

“Na-uh, not so fast, we still have to brush our teeth.” She groaned and gripped me tighter. After our nightly bathroom rituals, we finally laid down. I pulled the blanket over us, and she snuggled into my side. “Night Ley-ley.”

“Night, Millie.” I kissed the top of her head and drifted off into a wonderful sleep, and dreamed of a pair of gorgeous blueish-green eyes.