100 Sleepless Nights

My mother and father always tried to convince me that moving to San Diego was going to be a big, happy change that we all needed. I knew it was all a load of bullshit. They were just fed up of living in Chicago, plus I'm pretty sure my dad was screwing his secretary, he always seemed to be out late and occupied. It doesn't matter, whatever the excuses were none could really convince me that it was going to benefit me. The saddest part is that they believe I'm okay with it. Truth be told, I would rather be left behind than move.

San Diego wasn't the problem. It's the house we're apparently moving into. Some weird shit has gone down in that place and my parents don't seem to care at all. I don't really believe in the paranormal but so many people have apparently died in that place, it's not exactly hard to work out that something must be wrong.

They checked it out over my summer break. My sister and I decided to give it a miss. She's really all I have in life, everyone usually hates me. At the end of the day, all I really am is a passing soul in this universe. Maybe I'll find my way though?

The car rolled up infront of this victorian, creepy looking house. Yep, definitely the creepiest house I've ever seen. "Harleigh?" I heard my mother say, pulling me out of my twisted thoughts. I looked to the front of the car, my mothers wide eyes staring back at me.

"Yes?" I asked, my voice flat and lifeless. Her expression showed me pain as though she desperately trying to find a way to reach me on a personal level but I didn't quite let her in. I never have. Only Taylor. Wasever knew the real depths of my pain, and even then she only kneshortened version.

"Harleigh, I've been trying to speak to you for the last 5 minutes and you haven't even given me any of your attention. What is the problem?" She shook her head at me. I rolled my eyes at her and glanced back out of the window to look at the house. It's creepy... but I sorta like it. Maybe I judged this place a little too quickly.

I opened the car door and slipped out. My eyes scanned the front lawn, many beautiful flowers lay upon the soil. "It's beautiful" I whispered to myself. I glanced up to a window, a figure lay behind it. A silhouette of a man stood there, staring back at me. "Mom" I turned my head to look at her "Is there already moving guys inside already?" I watched as she shook her head no.

"No honey, they haven't arrived yet. Why?" She asked walking around and frowning at me.

I looked back up at the window but there was nothing there. "Nothing, I was just wondering" I said quickly. "I'm gonna go look at rooms before Taylor arrives" I nod towards the house.

"Harleigh, here you go" My mother handed me the house keys. I smiled at her and turned back towards the house. I heard the moving trucks pull up as I made my way down the path. I arrived at the door and unlocked it with ease, pushing the door open and stepping inside. I placed the keys on the table beside the door so that my mother wouldn't think I had lost them already.

I noticed the stairs first and decided to walk up them, taking in the oak wood banister. It was smooth, as if it hadn't been touched in years. Maybe it hadn't, but who knows. When I reached the top the hallway was long, and narrow. The room doors were all closed, making me wonder which were bedrooms and which were useless cupboards.

After three attempts I finally found a room that was suitable for me. It was big, comfortable even. I sat down on the bed and sighed, content with the feeling of being alone. "Harleigh, where are you?" Taylor was here. I stood up and left the room, she was standing at the top of the staircase.

"Tay, you're here" I smiled. Taylor was 5 years older than me. She's a college drop out, much to my fathers disapproval. My mom always said we should do what makes us happy. My father on the other hand just wanted us to make ourselves successful.

"Yeah, traffic was killer but I made it. I just hate how they wouldn't let you ride with me" Taylor laughed. I walked down to meet her.

"They're just pissed at you still. Anyway, what's your plan in San Diego?" I asked as we both made our way down the stairs.

"Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to be a fashion designer. I'm gonna work on that. I have an interview for an apprenticeship at a local designer company" She explained.

"Good for you sis, I'm glad" I smiled.

"Are you excited to start your new school?" She nudged me.

"Hated school back home, gonna hate it here" I laughed.

"I like your honesty kid" She said putting her arm around me.

"Well thanks, but it's the truth" I shrugged. The moving guys started to place boxes around the foyer, making the place begin to look cluttered. "Do you think this place is haunted?" I asked.

"You've been watching way too many horror movies sis" Taylor said walking away into the depths of the house.

I walked around, looking a different rooms until I got to the back door, leading out to the porch. I went outside and sat down on the porch steps. I took a cigarette out of the box that was hidden in my jean pocket. I placed it between my lips and pulled the lighter out and lit up. I took a long drag, the smoke filled my lungs and I felt relaxed. "You shouldn't smoke you know, it'll kill you one day" I snapped my head around, next to me was a guy maybe my age.

"Who the hell are you?" I asked, confusion spread across my face.

He smirked at me, his lips curling up into a small smile. "I'm Vic. I live in the neighbourhood" He extended a hand.

I looked at it with uncertainty. Males usually avoided me, probably because I'm replusive. "Harleigh" I mumbled, shaking his hand with my free hand.

"And you've just moved in?" He asked, curiosity thick in his voice.

"Yeah, unfortunately" I sighed, looking out into the garden.

"Are you going to Clairemont high?" He asked. I nodded a yes.

"Are you?" I retorted back.

"No, no I go to a private school" He said quickly. I nodded, feeling slightly upset.

"Shame, would have been nice to see a familiar face but such is life" I took another drag of my cigarette. It felt soothing.

"Yeah, sorry about that. We could hang out though" He suggested. I looked at him and nodded slowly.

"Sure... that seems cool" I smiled slightly. His grin was wide.

"Gotta go though, I can hear my mother calling" He stood up quickly. I turned to put out my cigarette quickly and stood up.

"Wait, what.." He was gone. "Time" I was confused, this dude was quick. "Bye then" I sighed.

"Harleigh, who was that?" My mother came out onto the porch.

I looked up at her and smiled. "Just a visitor, welcoming me to the neighborhood" I walked past her.

I went up to my room and began unpacking.

Notes

So?