I grinned as I saw the sign reading "Welcome to Hawkins." The road trip from Washington to Indiana is not fun or enjoyable, but in order for me to have a fresh start, it is needed.

As I searched the sparse neighborhood for my aunt's home, it finally came into view.

I parked the car and Joyce ran up to the driver-door. I opened it and got out. "Hey Adeline" she smiled, pulling me into a tight hug. "We missed you so much."

"Hi, Aunt Joyce," I said, beaming with genuine joy. "I missed you so much too."

She just stood and smiled with her mouth lightly agape. "Wow, you have grown up so quickly." Her eyes searched me lovingly. "You look just like your mama."

My face melted into a softer smile. "Thanks, Aunt Joyce." 

"Well, the boys are inside waiting for you. I'll get your stuff out, if you want, while you go inside and say hi to Jonathan and Will. How does that sound?" she asked, still smiling, clasping her hands at her chest.

"That sounds good," I responded.

I smiled one last time before heading for the door. I walk up the steps, the wood creaking beneath me. My fingers wrap around the door handle and lightly twist it. As I step in, I see Will coloring on a sheet on the table. I walk up behind him and peer over his shoulder. "Whatcha coloring?"

He jumps in his seat before turning around and seeing me, his face lighting up. "Addie!"

"Me too, Willy. Me too," I hugged him back as it gave me the happiness that I had lost previously from leaving my home, but it was for the best.

After Will let go, Jonathan emerged and approached "Hey, Ads. How ya been?" he smiled, his lips pressing against each other forming a small curve on his face.

Jonathan hugged me. He pulled away and smiled. "I missed seeing you," he said before I could talk.

"Me too," I admitted. "I've been good but you know, dad's death wasn't handled too well."

Jonathan looks down. "Yeah, by the way, I'm so sorry for your loss."

I shrug as if a month ago I wasn't able to breathe while crying and throwing up in my room after hearing the news of my dad passing. "It's okay," I look down and look up, my lips forming into a humble smile. "I just miss him a lot. I wish me moving here wasn't for this reason, but," I sigh. "It's for the better."

Jonathan smiled.

"I agree," Joyce grunts, walking through the door with most of my stuff.

I chuckled. "Oh gosh, thank you," I said taking it from her.

"No problem," she said breathlessly.

"Jonathan," she said, catching his attention. "Can you show Adeline to her room, please?"

"Oh yeah, no problem," he said, grabbing the big suitcase that I couldn't quite fit in my hand.

He led me to an empty room by his, across from Will's. "Here ya go," he said. "I know you probably might want to get settled in for tonight, so I'll leave you be. Besides, I have homework from history."

"Thanks, Jonathan," he turned to leave. 

I bit my cheek before looking up as he stepped out. "Jonathan?"

"Uh huh?" he responded turning back around.

"I'm gonna need  help navigating all this new stuff," I began.

"Don't you worry about that," he said assuringly. "I'll help you with anything and everything."

"Thank you so much," I smiled up at him.

"It's my pleasure," he turned and left.