"Rose, grab the casserole please." Mom says picking up the pie she'd just wrapped.

"You said I didn't have to go, I decided not to yet you're still forcing me to." I grab the tupperware following her out the door.

"Please not tonight, your mom just wants a fresh start in a new neighborhood. First impressions are everything." Matt smiles trying to get me to smile back.

That's my step dad, nice but annoying. I liked when it was just my mom and I better but- she was lonely, sad. She can still be sad and tired but at least she isn't alone.
So I love him for that.

"See you guys later." Katerina says walking past us to the driveway.

She's my older sister, in college, way cooler and prettier than I'll ever be. She's not innocent but in everyone else's eyes...she is the golden child.

"You're joking right?! Kat doesn't have to come but I do?"

"Kat has things to do, stop complaining get in I don't want to be late." Mom rushes.

I inwardly groan getting in the car.

I lived in Texas most of my life but once mom married, she didn't see a place there anymore.

I contributed a little to that decision. I was trouble in Texas. Not getting mixed in the wrong crowd type of trouble- just the loner type.

I didn't really have any friends. I just stayed to myself for the most part. Often ended up in the wrong place at the wrong times.

Saw a lot of things I didn't have to see. Experienced a lot I probably wouldn't of experienced if I'd just stayed home.

Put myself in a lot of stupid positions you know, that sort of thing.

We moved to a small town in Arkansas. Basically in the middle of nowhere.

"We'll definitely have to check out all the neat nature out here." Matt says before I put in my headphones.

I don't really see it as rude given they're not talking to me. They just talk to each other which- I don't mind at all.

Though I don't understand why we're driving. The neighbor's house is not even two minutes away.

It's a middle class neighborhood, majority white of course.

I'm sure you're confused about my name. Rosalina, it came from my great great great grandmother. I'm black While my sister's name is Katerina due to her mother, Serbian descent.

"Ok...Rose don't embarrass me in here. Behave, this is the mayor we're talking about." Mom looks back at me.

"Jeez mom I'm just a kid not a delinquent." I chuckle getting out of the car.
I hate how they treat me like I'm this on edge psycho.

The mayor lived at the end of a culdesac, biggest house on the block.
We're only here because there may be a position on the city council for Matt.

Mom rings the doorbell and a lady opens the door.

"Hi! So glad you could make it, come on in." She welcomes. "I'm Cheryl, Victor's wife."

In came the biggest, shiniest, brightest chandelier I'd ever seen. Hanging right over our heads. In front of us was a huge staircase. Two staircases on each side meeting into one center one.

"Serena, this is my daughter Rosalina." My mom introduces.

"Oh, Jacey! Sorry the whole family was supposed to be at the front door by now. I apologize. Pleased to meet you all." She looks over to Matt.

I'm Matthew, pleased to meet you." He nods shaking her hand.

"The sitting area's this way. You guys can get situated while we wait." She smiles. "I'll take the food. Thank you for bringing dishes by the way. Super sweet of you to do so."

"I wanted to, a thanks for making a town as nice as this one." Mom gushes.

I squint at her arse kissing.

Cheryl walks away as mom gives me a look saying 'don't start'.

"Party start without me?" A man comes walking down the big staircase.

"Ah mayor Reed, nice to see you man." Matt and Victor hug as mom and I stand.
"My wife, Serena and my daughter Rosalina."

"Nice to meet you, please let's make our way to the dining room we have..." I zone Victor's voice out as they walk in front of me.

I really did not want to be here, or anywhere really. My bed was the best place. Dead would be the best place.

Morbid... sorry.

The dining room had a room before the oversized dinning room. The miniature version of that room is where our dinner would take place.

Cheryl says it's less intimidating.

She was not wrong.

"Hi, I'm Harper." A little girl comes up to me. She looks to be about five or six. The biggest eyes...the sweetest little smile.

"Harper, sit down please." Cheryl says.

Hi, I'm Rose." I whisper as she giggles before sitting next to her mom.

"Jacey, you too." Cheryl demands.

I didn't notice him enter behind me but I waited until he sat down to see what he looked like.

He sits next to Harper, across from me. I discreetly look up from my lap to see he's already looking at me.

He just clenched his jaws, crossing his arms, looking elsewhere.

I don't want to be here either...I don't want to be here either.

I sympathize with inner monologue.

He was charming.

His eyes were a clear blue, or a clear grey. I couldn't quite tell as he holds an intense look on his face the whole time. A slight frown, jaws clenched.

His hair was brown, messy but neat and gelled which told me that was the look he was going for.
The only time he seemed to enjoy himself was the little side conversations between himself and Harper had.

His buff arms stayed crossed as he plays cool in his seat. Slouching and obviously not into dinner.

"So Rosalina, your mother tells me you're into arts?" Cheryl asks, before eating broccoli.

"I'm into a little bit of everything." I admit. "I can't stick to one thing for too long- I get bored."

"No way, I was the same way back in high school-" Cheryl laughs.

"Not the time hon." Victor interrupts.

That was rude.

I still don't understand why I had to come. Matt and Victor talked business and Mom and Cheryl talked housewives. Jacey and Harper talked...whatever they were talking about.

I couldn't sit still.

I fidget with my hands as everyone continued in their own conversations.

The only taste this dinner consisted of was mom's food. Everyone ate it all before I could get a second plate. The rest was bland...Cheryl's cooking I assume.

"May I be excused?" I ask.

"Sure, restroom's down the hall to your right." Cheryl smiles.

I nod saying thank you.