1| We Move Now!

Casey Bright

"Why are you wearing sunglasses in the house?"

I almost choked on the juice I was drinking in the kitchen. I thought Mama wasn't home.

"Casey?"

Mama came closer and tried to look at my face. I quickly turned away. She can't see my face.

"That's okay. This is the current fashion trend. How come you is at home?"

At that time, I saw she was very panicked. Mama would play with her fingernails when she was panicking.

"I… have quit my job."

"Why?"

"We're moving!"

"What? Again?" I pursed my lips in disappointment.

This year, we have moved three times to live in three cities.

"Not a problem, right? We've done that many times."

"Mom!" I protested. "That's not the case–"

"What is the problem?"

I've opened my mouth to speak but in vain. She won't listen to me. She always has a reason to justify her every selfish decision. So I chose silence.

"Casey, can you hear me? Why are you silent and not answering? Did something happen to you today at school?"

I drifted off into my own thoughts. I want an everyday life–to have friends and normal activities. I want to go to school and watch movies or just karaoke with my friends after school. But all that was just a dream. I've never been able to stay in one school for more than a year.

Suddenly Mama grabbed my shoulder and turned me around so we were face to face. I quickly looked down, but she grabbed my hand. Mama had pulled off the sunglasses I was wearing.

"What about your face?" She almost screamed. "Casey, you got into a fight again? See, the bruise on your eye is huge. This time who did you hurt?"

"Mom!" I am sick of it. In my mom's eyes, I'm just a troublemaker. "Why do you always think I start the fights? Don't you ever think that I'm a victim?"

"You? Victim? Impossible!"

Mama started pacing in front of me. I laughed in disbelief.

"I've been trying not to get into trouble at my new school. I just want to live a normal life and have friends. But they all always come to me like ants seeing sugar. They started doing bad and mean things to me. Even this time, I didn't fight back. As you always asked, I didn't reply to them. I didn't say anything while they punched and kicked me!"

"Oh my gosh!"

"Yeah, my gosh! I don't even know what I did wrong! Being born with a pretty face was not my wish, and it's not my fault! Just because I'm pretty, they always bully and attack me. Almost every school I've ever been to has people like that!" I put my glass of juice in the sink with a bit more force.

I glanced at my mother sitting at the dining table, holding her head. She took a deep breath before speaking again.

"Okay, we'll move. Pack your things, and we'll find the school made for you!"

"What?" I frowned. "Is there a school like that? If there was, why didn't you just send me there instead of us moving and running? So, where are we going this time?"

"To your new father's house!"

"WHAT?" Moving house is common. But, moving into a new daddy's house? "That means we will stay in one place? Really?"

My mom glared.

Moving places and changing schools is like a routine for us. Because of that, I don't have any friends. We never stayed in one place for more than a year.

I also don't know why my mom keeps moving. Every time I ask, she always shows a sad face. It made me weak, so I never asked again.

Two hours later, I was done packing. If the word "move" has slipped from my mom's lips, it means we must move immediately. No delays.

"Okay, you ready?"

My mother was standing in front of the caravan we used to travel. This car also serves as a place to live in case we can't find a suitable apartment.

I put in the last item. I don't have much stuff. Moving life teaches us many things to be effective and practical.

"Which city are we going to this time?"

"Terrasen."

"What? It's the state–"

"Well, we will live there." My mother smiled contentedly. "It's a place we've always dreamed of, right?"

More precisely, it was the country my mother dreamed of, not me. I just folded my arms to my chest and closed my eyes. This trip took almost a week of driving by car.

This is also odd. Terrasen has always been Mama's dream country, but she always put off going there.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. David and I are getting married as soon as we get there. No delays. After that, we'll be on our honeymoon for a few weeks. We're going abroad while David does his job giving seminars at several universities. Would you mind staying at home alone while we are away?"

"So his name is David? What kind of man is he?"

"Warm, man. You will definitely like him. David also had three sons. His youngest son is the same age as you. I hope you guys get to know each other soon."

"Oh, do I also have to practice being a good sister now?"

"Casey, please. Don't spoil everything."

"Excuse me."

Brigitta has sacrificed a lot for me. She gave birth to me when she was very young. I'm so grateful she didn't dump and abandon me after her reckless decision to raise me alone. I know she spent her youth and money on me. I will definitely pay for all the kindness later.

"Mom, I'm sorry."

"Hi, sweety. What is it? Why are you crying?"

My tears spill unstoppable. I sobbed. Mama had to pull over the car and hug me.

"If not for me, you would already have a good career and a happy life. Forgive me."

"Nonsense! How many times have I told you? You are my choice. You are my way of life. There's nothing to feel guilty about. You… will still be my love."

I cried hard and hugged her tightly. As if we were going to part ways that night. My eyes were swollen until they hurt from crying all the time.

"I just want you to be happy, Mom."

***

"We have arrived!"

Mama screamed to wake me up after we had a long journey.

My back feels stiff from being huddled in the car. I stretched and stared out the window. It was already evening when we got there. Precisely seven days, we traveled by land and sea by ferry.

We arrived at a residential area in a small town in the Terrasen country. The residential area is dense and quiet. It seemed that everyone was already huddled under their blankets.

"Where is the house? Is it still far?"

"If we follow the map, we should be a hundred meters away."

That's where we stop in front of a fence that is quite large and luxurious. The house feels so comfortable with a large yard.

"Are we really going to live here? It feels like a dream, and it's hard to accept."

Mama looked at me with such joy that she couldn't hide it.

"Where did you know David?"

"We are… old friends. We met again when he gave a seminar a month ago where we live. He was… my first love."

"Wow…"

"Yeah, wow…" my mom replied with a big smile. "He has been a widower since ten years ago."

I nodded.

"As you wish, Casey. I will survive this time. I'm tired enough because I keep moving places. I also want a normal life and build a family with you."

I always wanted to ask what made Mama keep changing places of residence, and it was as if we were running away from something. But I don't have the guts to ask.

The porch light is on, and the gate opens automatically.

"It seems that someone is already waiting for our arrival."

Mama parked the car in the yard. The door of the house is open. I saw a man in his late 40s come out with a big smile.

Mama had already shown me a photo of David. He looks more handsome and looks younger than in the photo.

"WELCOME!" David stretched out his arms to greet us.

I saw him hug Mama and kiss her. They look so familiar.

"Casey?"

I also reached out to shake instead of hugging him like Mama did. David returned my hand.

"Come on in and just leave your things there. Let me clean up later."

I need to be more clumsy. I walked behind Mama and David. I only carry a small backpack.

As soon as we set foot in the house, a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere immediately greeted me. I was amazed. This is truly the house I've always dreamed of. The family I always dreamed of all my life.

"I would love to introduce you to my three sons. But, right now, only the youngest is at home."

"Where are Eren and Raff?" asked Mama.

"Oh, they're working part-time. Soon you will meet them."

David turned and looked for me. "Come here, Cassandra; I'll show you your room."

"You can call me Casey."

He nodded.

"Malik! Come down and greet our guest!"

I heard someone stomping. I can't see his face. Only his knees showed first when he was just coming down the stairs.

I looked around and noticed the items and furniture in the house. All luxurious and classy items are neatly arranged and well-maintained.

"Casey, meet this, Malik. I hope you guys can be good friends."

I looked at David’s son and my body shivered at that moment.

"You–"