Under normal circumstances, the soothing sound of birds that emanate from my phone is what wakes me up. Today is not one of those days.

"Wakey wakey sleepy head half the town is probably dead!  Rise and shine we have a big day today!" my dad yells as he bashes his fist against my door like a madman. 

Sighing, I run my hands down my face wiping the sleep from my eyes. 

"Relax I'm awake!" I yell back at him which succeeds in resolving the banging.

"Okay, but hurry up we got a big day ahead of us!"

"That's not a good reason for robbing me of sleep," I groan.

He hits my door three more times.

"If you go back to sleep I'll just keep hitting your door."

"You're acting like a child! Is this how you're going wake me up every morning?"

"If you don't get ready and come downstairs in the next ten minutes then yes!"

Just like that, with that one simple statement, a firecracker lights up inside me and I jump out of bed. My dad knew exactly what he was doing when he gave me that time limit. He knew it would strike the iron otherwise known as my competitive nature.

Ten minutes, that's hardly enough time to do my whole morning routine, so I'll just have to cut back on a few things, such as my morning shower.

Great now I'm going to feel gross the whole day, I think as I rummage through my backpack and throw on the first decent set of clothing I grab. 

Even though I got dressed in a hurry I still look good, well good enough for my standards. However, I think it's about time my standards change up a bit. I've always been more of a tomboy than a girly girl. I prefer hoodies and jeans over dresses. Sneakers over heels and I hate make-up, but this year with a new school I want to loosen up a bit and have a fresh start. I'm not going to do a big thing, just change my style of clothes a bit.

However, for today I'll stick with my dark blue jeans, a black T-shirt, and a grey hoodie. Besides, we are going to be doing some painting today and the last thing I want is to ruin good clothes with paint. 

As soon as I complete the rest of my routine I run down the stairs with four minutes to spare. I hear my parents in the kitchen so I hurry to meet them there. When I walk in through the doorway my dad's face turns to one of shock.

"Looks like you are not going to be waking me up with yelling anymore," I chuckle and playfully punch his shoulder.

"Yeah, looks like it," my dad sighs in disappointment. His face hangs and he has to rest it on his palm so that my mom won't complain about how miserable looks. 

"What time are the boys coming?" my mother asks my dad as she sips on her cappuccino.

"They should be here in about half an hour," he declares as he looks down at his watch.

"Mom, can I go shopping after we're done?" I ask as I rock back and forth on the balls of my feet.

She leans against the nearest counter, gazing at me with calculating eyes. She always does this when I ask to go out. She thinks it makes her intimidating. Sometimes it does but today is not one of those days and I have to use all of my strength to hold back my laughter. 

"Why?"

I shrug. "I just want to get some new clothes for school." 

"Oh, I get it you want to impress the boys. I'm not blind, Vega, I can see right through you," my dad says with a coy smile.

I roll my eyes at his childishness. "Very funny, Dad. But, it's not because of that. I just want to have a fresh start."

My mom stays silent for a while longer before nodding. "That's fine. We can do your room first then you can go," she says, and I sigh with relief. 

"Thank you."

"Okay, let's get ready. We got a lot to do," my dad says after he dramatically claps his hands the sound echoing off the walls of the bare kitchen. 

"Does he have to be so dramatic," I whisper to my mom who just smiles and starts to make us some sandwiches for breakfast. Just as we finish eating a loud hoot echoes from outside and we instantly know who it is.

"Would you look at that they are right on time."

We head outside and are surprisingly greeted by Frank and Kerk.

"I didn't know you guys did this as well," my mom says to them.

"We don't but we were the only team available," Kerk explains.

"Great, we will get started with Vega's room so that she can go shopping because that's very important," my dad says.

Kerk and Frank snicker at this, and my dad laughs. Completely offended, I slap my dad on his shoulder which only makes Frank and Kerk burst out laughing.

"Okay that's enough horsing around, let's get started," my mom snaps killing their childishness instantly. 

"She is right let's get moving," Kerk splutters through a rough cough. 

My dad, Frank, and Kerk get to work moving the living room around while my mom and I work on my bedroom. We unpack box after box after box. Even though I had a small room back in New Jersey I somehow still managed to collect a bunch of stuff. After nearly two hours we managed to sort through everything in my room. All of the junk was in the bin and my room has become an absolute masterpiece.

My dad smiles as he slowly walks around the room with his hands tucked behind his back. "Wow, you ladies did a great job." 

He is certainly right, my mom and I did a great job. In our old apartment, I had a grey and white themed bedroom. But this time I decided on a more pink theme. My bed is on the far wall from the door. On the right side is my bedside table and to the left is my desk with a large mirror lined with lights. On the wall that my bed rests against is a pretty pattern as well as two pictures I chose for the theme.

"Of course, we did a good job. We may not be interior designers but we're women and that sense of style comes naturally to us," my mom says flicking her hair behind her head before resting her hands on her hips. 

My dad rolls his eyes. "Whatever you say, honey."

My mom chuckles and shoves his shoulder. "Maybe one day when I get tired of the courtroom I'll come join you at your job."

"Vega, before your mother sprouts out any more ridiculous things do you have anything to say about your room?" 

Glancing around the room I smile with glee and marvel at its beauty, but when my eyes lad on the boxes of my art stuff still sitting by my door I sigh. " We forgot to unpack my art stuff, and there isn't any more space in here."

"Don't worry about that. Here is some money," my dad reaches into his wallet and hands me about a thousand dollars, "Go to the mall and buy yourself some nice clothes." 

I quickly shove the money into my wallet and sling my bag over my shoulder. "Thanks, I'll see you guys later."

"Bye."

I hurry down the stairs making sure to not bump into the boys who were arguing about how to move our fridge. I step out into the front garden taking in the chilly air. Looking up and down the street I search for any sign of a bus stop, but there isn't one. Every time I go out I have to use the bus, even back when we were in New Jersey. Unlike many people my age, I don't have a car just yet. Most people get it when they are sixteen, and I was going to as well but I was terrified of driving. It was mainly because of the thought of being in control of something that could kill someone if I messed up. So I decided to wait a few more years. And I'm glad I did. I got some more practice and next month when I take the test I will ace it.

Wiping out my phone I do a quick Google search to locate a nearby bus stop and hop on the bus that will take me to the closest mall to my house: The Grove.

* * * 

Like a deer caught in headlights, I aimlessly look around me at all the shops surrounding me. I have no idea which shop to start at.

I turn around hoping I might spot someone who could help me. I quickly notice a girl playing on her phone with six bags from different clothing stores hanging on her arms. After a great mental debate, I slowly walk over to her. I pray with every step that she agrees to help me. I mean she seems nice enough. 

"Um... excuse me can you help me?" I mumble, gently tapping her shoulder.

She spins around and glares at me which makes me immediately regret coming over to her. She cocks her head to the side, making her shoulder-length brown hair swish in the hair. Her doe-like eyes harden as she looks me up and down.

"What do you want?" she growls at me.

Okay, maybe she isn't as nice as she looks.

An unsettling silence wraps around us as I try to find the right words to say to her. I know my face is flushed because along with the silence the air around us is starting to become unnaturally hot, almost as if a fire is spreading around me.

"Are you gonna say something or just stand there like an idiot?" she snaps in a way that she almost bares her teeth like a snarling dog.

"Never mind, just forget about me," I sigh, the tense energy around us doesn't enable me to say anything else.

Her mouth twists into a cruel smirk.

"That will be easy, I never remember wannabe trash anyway." She laughs as she turns around in her black boots and walks away. 

Any normal person would have snapped back at her, maybe they would even have some sort of sarcastic and catchy remark to say back, but that isn't me.

Deciding to head off on my own I eventually manage to find some incredible new items of clothing and a few shoes. By the end of the shopping trip, I have spent almost all of my money. I only have a few dollars left for the bus.

When I got home, my parents were waving goodbye to Frank and Kerk meaning they were done with the house. I almost burst out laughing at the state of their clothing. They are covered in dust and layers of paint.

They both smile and wave when they see me.

"Looks like you had a great time," my dad says, pointing at all my bags.

"I did," I smile. "Did you guys finish everything?"

"Everything is unpacked and the rest of the painting will be left for another day. And we have a surprise for you. Let's go inside."

A surprise!

Taking this surprise thing seriously they cover my eyes and help me through the front door. When they uncover my eyes I nearly jump back at how gorgeous the house looks. Every room is stunning and luxurious all thanks to my dad and his design skills.

"This looks incredible."

"Thank you, and now for the real surprise."

They cover my eyes once again and walk me up to what I can only assume is the attic. After counting to three they uncover my eyes which are almost instantly filled with tears of joy at the sight before me. They turned the attic into my art room. All of the art supplies that didn't fit in my room are unpacked out here. My past drawings line the wall, and my easel is propped against the wall surrounded by my supplies packed into an arrangement of different sizes and shaped boxes.

"What do you think?" my mom asks me probably worried about my silence and lack of a reaction. 

"It's beautiful thank you," I cry out throwing my arms around them and holding them tight.

"So glad you like it, honey." she sighs with relief. 

We stand together in silence them holding me as I continue to look around the room picturing myself painting or drawing while my speaker plays in the background. 

"I hate to ruin the moment but I'm starving," my dad says, his announcement soon followed by the sound of his tummy grumbling.

Together we head to the kitchen and quickly whip up some chicken pasta.

After dinner, I had a much-deserved and needed shower in my glorious bathroom then went to my room where I hopped into bed. As I lay in bed tossing and turning I can't get that girl's words to stop replaying. That will be easy, I never remember wannabe trash anyway. I know I shouldn't believe what she said to me but I just can't help but feel pathetic. When I was fourteen girls like her made me so depressed by saying things like that. I had to go to a therapist and go on meds for years. Thankfully with the help of my parents, friends, and an amazing therapist, I got better, well about as better as someone with depression can get. I can sometimes still find myself spiralling into dark places which I swore to myself will not happen this year.

This year has to be different. It will be.

I can feel it.

So I will not be describing the entire house room by room because that would just be far too much so here are some pictures of what the rooms look like. 

Vega's Room

Art Studio

Master Bedroom

Mom's Study

Kitchen

Dining Room

Living Room

En-suite Bathroom

Main Bathroom