A New Beginning

"To be honest, it was a challenge to renovate the house," Serena said, gesturing to me to come inside first. "If it weren't for the photos you sent me, I wouldn't think it'd be possible."

I felt a strange sense of nostalgia flowing within me when I walked in. In the past, the aqua green rug floor, usually covered in dirt and stains, is now clean. The white wooden door behind me matches the walls, except the walls are decorated with lines of pastel blue, pink, and green colors.

To my left are blue and magenta curtains covering the windows and an ac beside them. Further down is an entry towards the kitchen and laundry room. To my front are two maroon sofas--one facing behind a huge glass slide door, covered with magenta curtains, and the other facing a big tv.

"Um, I hope it's to your liking," Serena said, blushing. "If you have questions or concerns about anything, please let me know, Serenity."

I nodded at her, noticing my luggage beside her.

I wonder if it's heavy. I thought to myself. When Uncle left, she had a hard time holding my luggage even though she's the one who insisted on carrying it herself.

Serena then gave me a quick tour around the house, and the moment I entered the last room, which is supposedly my room, my eyes widened when I saw a pink bookshelf filled with CDs in front of the bed.

"Why is that here?"

"The bookshelf?" Serena turned towards my direction. "Ah, I remembered! I received a phone call yesterday from the Corrines, and they told me to give the bookshelf and CDs to you as a thank you gift. If you're wondering, the gray disk radio for them is in the closet. Just to let you know."

"I wasn't aware that they would go this far to give them to you," I sighed, groaning as I rolled my temples. "My apologies for troubling you and their persistence."

"No, no! It's no problem at all, dear. The truth is, your uncle was the one who gave them my number. 'Whenever you have the time, please do call them,' is what Travis said."

"Why am I not surprised?"

Serena chuckled a bit, and the two of us quickly fell into an awkward silence.

"Umm," Serena spoke up first, scratching her hair nervously. "I noticed you don't mind me calling you by your first name lately."

Oh, is that what she's worried about?

"I just preferred to be called Faith because it's easier than saying Serenity so many times," I said. "However, I also don't mind being either one, so call me whichever name you're most comfortable with, Serena."

"......"

Did I say something wrong? Why does she look so surprised?

"I believe this is the first time you called me by my name like that," Serena smiled. Although this smile of hers looked sad, at the same time, it seemed genuinely real.

"How strange," she continued. "It feels like yesterday since we met in January. I remember you being suspicious and cautious of me because I was from your mother's side of the family. I mean, why wouldn't you be? If I was in your position, I would've questioned myself too."

"...."

"To be honest, I don't mind if you dislike me. However, that never stops you and your uncle from welcoming me with open arms. That… I'm thankful, Serenity," she said, wiping the tears in her eyes.

What she said is true. The reason I have my doubts about her IS that she's from my mother's side of the family. What's more, they hated my mother, my father and uncle, and their demise: me.

My thoughts were then interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing.

"Ugh… What now?" Serena stared at her phone, discouraged. She looked at me apologetically and walked away from the room.

"Hello, this is Serena speaking. Huh, what? Holy crap, I forgot about it!! Yes, yes. Uh-huh, I'm on my way!"

"What happened?" I asked, following her.

"Oh, uh…" Serena hesitated. "There's a meeting today, and I completely forgot about it. That's all, Serenity."

"I see. Then you should hurry if I were you."

"Right. But if the meetings today, does that mean we're–"

"The clock is ticking."

"I got sidetracked again! Oh, before I go–"

Suddenly, Serena gave me a tight hug, catching me off guard, and let go as she patted my head. "I'll be back once I'm done. All the food is in the refrigerator, and make sure you heat them in the microwave, okay?"

Baffled at her sudden affection, something within my heart twinged in nostalgia and sorrow.

"Yes, ma'am," I responded as if it was the usual thing to say.

Serena then giggled. "You don't need to be so formal with me, Serenity." She patted my head again, and the same twinge from earlier resurfaced again when she let go and unlocked the door. "Welp, I'm off! I'll give you the spare key for this place tomorrow! Oh, and your luggage is beside the couch!"

Serena smiled and closed the door, leaving me to lock both the top lock and door handle.

It wasn't long when I opened the blue and magenta curtain a little, noticing that Serena dashed away like a cheetah. Luckily, the school is not far away from where I'm at, so she wouldn't have a problem getting there late.

"Crimson High, huh?" I murmured to myself, closing the curtain.

Unlike other colleges, according to Serena, she plans trips for all the students and teachers every year.

"Everyone needs a break once in a while," it's what she said to me.

"What's the logo again? A dream's a dream. If you believe, you can achieve?"

I wonder if she's talking about the trips instead.

"Hanako wanted to attend this college too," I said, talking to myself, and paused. "Ha, what am I saying?"

I walked towards the couch near the window and lay down, staring at the ceiling.

"Maybe in the meantime, I should… unpack."

Yeah, let's do that.

And so, the quest to unpack all of my belongings begins.