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Author's Note

Welcome again! Thank you for sticking around after reading the first chapter. If you found it a bit slow, I apologize. But it's just the start. I promise it’s going to get better.

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The moon cast a soft silver glow through Anna's bedroom window, illuminating the organized chaos of moving boxes, some neatly stacked, others left half-packed with vases and knick-knacks. Shadows danced across the walls, and the distant hum of crickets filled the air.

Anna sat on her bed, surrounded by remnants of her past. The chandelier's warm glow reflected in her tired eyes as she gazed at the blank walls. She sighed, shoulders slumping under the weight of yet another move.

The white bedsheet covering her soft mattress was dotted with cheery cherries, but her mood was far from light. Rifling through her old belongings, she came across something she hadn’t seen in years—her greatest mistake.

It was a diary. A bright pink cover decorated with rainbows, unicorns, fairies, and colorful lip stickers. MY DIARY was boldly written in glittery, swirling letters.

Fear gripped her. Nostalgia mixed with regret as tears pricked her eyes. She tried not to cry but couldn’t help smiling weakly. I miss that girl...the happy me. The one who had dreams.

Flipping through its pages, she unearthed faded photographs and ticket stubs. Memories she had buried resurfaced, each one a bittersweet echo of her teenage self.

Page after page, she read laughter, tears, and dreams she once held close. But the joy faded as she turned to a page marked with a glittery lip print (💋). Her hands trembled. She knew better than to look at the next page, but the memories flooded back regardless.

Overwhelmed, she snapped the diary shut and pressed it against her chest, struggling to breathe. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she fought back the onslaught of emotion. Closing her eyes, she centered herself.

When she reopened them, the bright pink diary came back into focus. Should she keep it or throw it away? It reminded her of pain but also of who she used to be. With a deep breath, she tucked it into a box and buried it beneath clothes.

Her mom walked by in white pajamas adorned with tiny floral designs.

"Are you almost done, honey?" she asked, drying her hair with a towel. "Big day tomorrow."

"Um, yeah. Almost," Anna replied, forcing a smile. "Just a few more things to pack."

"Okay, let me help—"

"No! You need sleep. Go rest," Anna said quickly, shaking her head.

Mrs. Kendrick smiled softly. "Alright, if you insist. Goodnight."

As her mom left, Anna sighed. She packed the last of her belongings and crawled into bed, dreading the move yet hoping for a fresh start.

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Morning came with a fiery blend of orange and purple streaking the sky. Anna and her mom were up early, loading boxes into their RV.

"Why is this box so heavy?" Anna grunted as she carried it.

"Be careful! That’s my glass panties!"

Anna wrinkled her nose. "You are so weird, Mom." She dropped the box into the RV, shaking her head.

"Hello, Kendricks!" called a cheerful voice.

An older woman approached, holding a tray of cookies.

"Mrs. Kentucky!" Mrs. Kendrick greeted her neighbor warmly.

Anna groaned.

"I heard you were leaving and wanted to give you these as a farewell gift," Mrs. Kentucky said, handing over the tray.

"That’s so thoughtful," Mrs. Kendrick said, her lips forming a grateful pout as she accepted the cookies.

Anna and the older woman locked eyes. Anna folded her arms and leaned against the RV.

"Why are you wearing a green visor at 7 a.m.?" Anna asked, eyebrows raised.

Mrs. Kentucky chuckled. "Oh, this? Forgot to take it off after my afternoon squats. Guess I slept in it!"

Mrs. Kendrick laughed nervously and took a bite of a cookie. Her face contorted slightly as she chewed.

"Lime-flavored cookies," Mrs. Kentucky announced proudly.

"Uh, quick question," Anna interrupted, twirling a strand of her wavy brown hair. "How did you know we were moving? We didn’t tell anyone."

Mrs. Kentucky hesitated, then laughed. "Intuition! Not like I planted microphones in your house or anything!"

Anna’s eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Mrs. Kendrick smiled politely. "Well, we’d better get going. Thank you again!" She hurriedly climbed into the RV, starting the engine.

"Goodbye, Anna!" Mrs. Kentucky waved.

As Anna climbed in, she turned back and mouthed, You’re gonna die soon.

Mrs. Kentucky’s jaw dropped, and Anna gave her a wicked smile.

The RV rolled out of the neighborhood, Mrs. Kendrick waving cheerfully while Anna stared straight ahead, earbuds in place, Billie Eilish’s haunting melodies filling her ears.

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Hours later, the open road stretched before them. Anna stared out the window as towns and fields blurred past. They stopped occasionally—restaurants, gift shops, even street performances.

Anna snapped photos of her mom posing in front of rolling hills, her camera capturing fleeting moments of joy.

Eventually, they arrived at Denburg.

"Home sweet home for the next few years," Mrs. Kendrick announced as they passed the rustic town sign: Population: Nunya Bizness.

Anna’s stomach knotted. She sat up straight, taking in the mix of Victorian houses, modern buildings, and quaint shops.

They drove into a fancy neighborhood. A decorative sign read: A neighborhood with crazy expensive houses. How do people even pay for these?

"Great. From one neighborhood to another. Sooo exciting," Anna muttered sarcastically.

Mrs. Kendrick ignored her daughter’s tone, her eyes lighting up as they turned onto a wide street. A man waved from a driveway.

"Is that Dad?" Anna asked, squinting.

Mrs. Kendrick parked, giggling as she jumped out to greet her husband. He scooped her up in a tight embrace, twirling her around as they kissed passionately.

"Ew," Anna groaned, stepping out of the RV.

Her dad turned to her, beaming. "Anna!" He spread his arms for a hug.

She crossed hers, avoiding his gaze, but he pulled her into a tight hug anyway.

"You’ve grown so much! Your blue almond eyes are brighter, your freckles more pronounced. And that sweater—brown cashmere? Gorgeous!"

"Your flattery sucks," Anna said flatly, though a small smile betrayed her. "But I missed you, Dad." She hugged him back.

"Welcome home," he said softly, stepping back to admire her.

Mrs. Kendrick joined them, her arm slipping around her husband’s waist.

"You’re going to love it here," he promised.

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**I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Updates will be every Monday (or daily, if I can manage).

Toodles! 💋**