Half Light

Virginia

Brooke's POV

 In a galaxy far far away... I'm just kidding! I just got done packing all my stuff for Virginia. My parents split up when I was like 7. I've been living with my mom and her new husband for about 5 years now. I haven't seen my dad in a while so I decided to leave California to live with my dad for the rest of my high school career. 

I used to spend the summer there but that stopped happening. Mom and her husband wanted to travel around the world and I didn't want to, so I thought living with dad would be better. Mom and Billy her husband help put all my bags in the car and we head to the airport.

We go inside to get our things and take a seat until I have to board the plane. I used to be afraid of flying but after doing it every summer as a kid, I got used to it. Some lady comes over the intercom. "Flight 2539, yon May now board the plane. Your flight will be leaving in 20 minutes."

"Aw my baby! You're about to leave me! Are you sure you don't wanna travel with us?" My mom asks me while giving me a big hug. 

"Yeah. You two go ahead. I'm not the travel-around-the-world type." I reply while grabbing my backpack. "Ok honey! I love you! Stay safe!" My mom says while walking to the exit with Billy. "See ya later kid!" Billy says while taking my moms hand.

I board the plane and take a seat. The flight will be about 5 hours long so I decided to get some sleep so I'm not jet lagged. 

I get into a deep sleep, then the intercom comes on. "We will be landing in about 10 minutes, so gather your materials and prepare for landing." The man says. I do so and wait for the plane to land. 

As I get off the plane I see my dad waiting by the gates with my bags already in his hands. "So how was California?" My dad asks. "It was good, but I miss the rainy days of Hot Springs." I reply. After that we stay in a comfortable silence as we walk to his car.

My dad is the Sheriff which means he only ever drives his cop car. I get in and we start out 15 minute drive. I decide play on my phone while my dad listens to the radio.

We arrive in Hot Springs and pull up to the house. I forgot how small it was. My dad turns kills the engine and helps me carry in my suitcases. He leads me up stairs to my room I had when I was younger. I look around and see that nothing has changed.

"I kept everything the same just in case you wanted anything." He says and I just nod, so he continues, "I got you a duvet for your bed. I thought you wouldn't want the hello kitty bedding anymore." Dad says with a chuckle. 

"Yeah that would be embarrassing." I said. "The sales woman recommended the color blue for you. Do you like blue?" He asks. "Yeah blue is cool." I say. "We'll make yourself at home." He says and walks out.

That's what I like about Mike my dad. He doesn't hover. He lets me do my own thing. After he left I started working on my room. I took all my drawing from 3rd grade and threw them out. I then replaced my bedding and started on my clothes. I looked through the closet and saw some of my elementary school clothes so I decided to donate them all. I clearly wouldn't need them.

After I finish up with my room I hear a honk coming from outside. I go to my window and see a guy about my dads age and a guy about my age in the driveway. I decide to walk up to them because they look familiar.

"Brooke. You remember Mark Black right?" Mike asks. "Yeah yeah. Your looking better than ever Mark." I greet him with a handshake. I don't do hugs if you couldn't tell. "Yeah you too Brooke! Your dad hasn't kept his mouth shut about you since he found out you were coming to town!" Mark says with a smirk on his face. Everyone including me start to laugh.

"Keep it up and you won't get a beer." My dad says. "Yeah before I ram you in the knee!" Mark says. Did I forget to mention he's in a wheel chair? Well he is. While Mark and Mike were messing around the guy my age came up to me and we started chatting.

Hey. I'm Drew. We used to uhm a make snowmen out of mud when we were little." He says with a nervous laugh. "Oh yeah! I remember." I say with a slight smile. I look over at my dad and ask, "do they always mess around like this?" 

"Yeah! It's gotten worse with age!" He says with another laugh. After they settle down they come back up to us. "So Brooke. What do you think?" Mike asks gesturing towards the truck I was leaning on that I thought was Drew's. "Wait, you got this for me? It's so cool!" I say with a smile and hopping in. 

"Why did you get this for me?" I ask. "Well as a homecoming present. I didn't think you would wanna ride to school in a cop car. I just bought it from Mark." Dad says. "Aw dad! You didn't have to do that!" I say while looking at all the buttons and stuff in the car. "I know but it will be useful." He says.

Yeah! He got that right! I can go anywhere I want since he's not a helicopter parent. Drew chimes in. "I rebuilt the whole engine so it doesn't sound like a dying cow while it's running." He says while laughing a little. I mouth the words 'thank you' and he nods. 

"I told you she'd love it. I'm down with the kids!" Mark says while holding up a peace sign. "Oh my god! He is so embarrassing!" Drew whispers to me. I try to suppress my giggles. "So do you wanna ride to school with me?" I ask Drew trying to be nice. "Oh I don't go to public school. I'm a Native American and my tribe has its own school. It's like 2 blocks from my house." He says while rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh cool. No problem. That's to bad. It would have been nice to know at least one person as this school." I say.

After that awkward conversation, Mark and Drew left and I got ready for bed. I grab a bottle of water just in case I wake up with a dry throat in the middle of the night. I pull the duvet off to the side so I can climb in. I do so and pull the cover over me and fall into a deep slumber.