Last Seen in San Diego.

Moving into a new town and into a new house wasn’t how it was in the movies.There were no neighbors coming up to your door with food or fresh baked goods, no friendly greetings, there was nothing. I normally would’ve been grateful but I couldn’t help but feel a little freaked out. It was too quiet on our street, it was really creepy. I had thought it was only because it was closing in on dawn when we arrived, but I was wrong. The next morning which was a Sunday, no one was around. Well there were a few people who walked by, and by a few I mean like two or three. I ignored the disappearance of my neighbors and continued to unpack my boxes. I arranged my room to my satisfaction, it took about an hour or two to finish but I was content with the way it looked. Various band posters covered the boring white paint on my walls, my bed was placed in the corner by the small window and everything else was just placed in any spot it could fit in. It took me another hour or so to put all of my clothes into the closet and the dresser, then it took me about 15 minutes or so to organize my shoes at the bottom of my closet. All my Toms were aligned with each other, then my pairs of Vans along with my other footwear. To say that I was exhausted would be an understatement, I would be lost in my bed by now if I didn’t have to go eat. I heard my mom’s whistle which was our code for ‘the food is done.’ I walked down the never ending steps and into the dining room, sitting next to my little sister Kailey. This girl meant the world to me, she was one of the only things that were able to put a smile on my face. Her black curls bouncing on her shoulders as she sung along to ‘Helena’ by My Chemical Romance. That’s the thing I loved about Kailey, she wanted to be like me. Others would find it annoying, but I like it. She’s only 13 years old but we already have so much in common, I could trust her with anything. For an 13 year old, she was really intelligent.

“Alright sweetie, music off.” My mom told Kailey as she served us our food. It was nothing special, just some chinese takeout. My mom hasn’t gotten around to the supermarket yet, so takeout is what we’ll be eating until then. Kailey placed her phone in her pocket before digging into her food.

“So Kellin, are you ready for school on Monday?” Kailey asked me, slurping up the noodle from her plate. I laughed at her messiness before shrugging. It would be a new change, that’s a fact.

“I’m nervous Kay, it’s a new school with new people. At least I know one person there.” I told her before eating my food.

“Really? Who is that?” My mother asked.

“Remember Jesse? The redhead.” She nodded. “Yeah he transferred there last year, he said he would show me around and introduce me to his friends.” I told my mom who nodded in response. Jesse was my best friend since the 3rd grade I believe, but his parents had gotten a divorce so he moved with his dad over here. He doesn’t live on my street but I assume he lives somewhere around here.

“I miss our old home.” I heard Kailey whisper. To be honest, I agreed with her but I knew it was for the best that we had to move.

“I know you do sweetie and I’m sorry that we had to leave but change is good.” My mom tried convincing her, to which Kailey sighed in response. We had to move because of my father’s accident a few months ago. He was on his way home when he was murdered. The officers told us that it was accidental but I truly believe that someone had it out for my father, but I had no clue who. Well the main point is that my mom didn’t want to be there without him anymore, it didn’t feel right. She was starting to fall into a deep sadness, I wouldn’t say depression because it wasn’t that bad but it was still bad. This is a fresh start for all of us, a chance to put the past behind us and try to move on. After dinner, we all went to our rooms and fell into a deep slumber.

“Kellin, wake up.” My mom’s voice filled my ears. I groaned in annoyance hoping she would leave me alone but nope, that wasn’t the case. “Come on Kells, you start school today.” She said before letting out a big yawn. My eyes fluttered open and fell onto the alarm clock. It was 6 in the morning, I groaned before lifting myself up from the bed and walking into the bathroom.. My room had it’s own bathroom which I was thankful for, sharing a bathroom with two girls isn’t a good thing. I jumped into the shower, the warm water soothing my body. I’ve always liked warm showers, they seemed to calm me down. They were always so relaxing. Goosebumps formed on my body as the water shut off, the cold tile under my feet almost making me numb. Wrapping the towel around my waist, I walk into my room and get out my clothes. I checked myself out in the mirror, I didn’t look that bad. A Green Day t-shirt, black skinny jeans and my black Toms. I topped off my appearance with a black beanie and various bracelets.

“Kay let’s go!” I called out to my sister before heading downstairs. My mom stood near the counter making herself coffee to wake up, she gave me a small smile before taking a sip from the white glass.

“After work I’ll be shopping for food and getting to know the neighborhood, so make sure you have your keys with you.” I nodded, raising my hand up to show her that I’ve taken my keys. Kailey came running down the stairs, her style looking a little bit like mine. She looked beautiful. If I wasn’t gay and if she wasn’t my sister, maybe 2 years older. She definitely would’ve been my girlfriend. I push those thoughts out of my head quickly because it was yucky to think of my little sister that way.

“Ready to go?” I asked her, she nodded in response before we called out our goodbye’s and left. The school was just a few blocks away so we got there pretty quick. We walked up the stairs and through the front entrance, it was nerve wrecking. The school was huge, I would probably get lost looking for all of my classes. Kay and I walked to the main office and waited for someone to assist us.

“Good morning, how may I help you?” A voice snapped me out of my daze. She had shoulder length brown hair and light brown eyes.

“Uh yeah, my sister and I are new here. We need our schedules.” I tell her politely. She nods before walking over to the computer.

“Kellin and Kailey Bostwick?” She asked us. I went to correct her but Kailey beat me to it.

“Quinn. We prefer Quinn.” She told her, the lady nodded. Quinn was my middle name, I never really liked my father’s last name. It never seemed to fit me, Kailey felt the same. Like I said, she was just like me.

“Alright, here you guys go. Do any of you know someone that can show you around? If not I can call someone down to show you, each in your grade.” She told us, her smile was really bright. She reminded me of my mom before my dad’s accident.

“Um only I do. Kailey doesn’t know anyone here.” I told her. The bell signaled that school was starting so the chatter in the halls cleared out.

“Well not to worry about that Ms.Quinn, I’ll find someone nice for you. What about you Mr.Quinn, who will be assisting you?” She asked me as she walked over to the school microphone to make an announcement.

“Jesse Lawson.” I told her, before being cut off by an annoying screeching noise.

“Jesse Lawson, please make your way down to the main office. Jesse Lawson.” Her voice filled the entire school building. Just a few minutes later, my long lost redheaded friend appeared through the door.

“Ms.Simms, I swear I didn’t do it.” He exclaimed, causing me to laugh a bit. “What are you laughing at?” He scoffed towards me.

“Same old Jesse.” I told him. His eyes widened when he heard my voice.

“Kellin? Is that you?” I nod. “Oh my god!” He yells before pulling me into a hug. “I wasn’t expecting you to be here so soon.” I laughed at his over excitement.

“Alright guys, Jesse I’ll excuse you from your classes before lunch so you can show Kellin around. Now get going.” The lady- um Ms. Simms told us.

“See ya later Kay.” I said before kissing her cheek. She waved as I walked out of the office.

“Who was that?” Jesse winked at me. Oh god, here he goes assuming things.

“That was Kailey, Jess.” He looked shocked.

“Dude she’s hot now. Mind if I-”

“Don’t get smacked Lawson.” I told him. We both laughed as we made our way up the stairs.

“Okay so let me see your schedule.” He tells me. I hand it over and his eyes gleam with joy. “Yes we are in every class together except for Art.” He told me. That made me really happy because I don’t think I could survive on my own to be honest. I’ve never been that social before so it would be good to be around Jesse most of the time. “Alright so most of our classes are on the third floor, Music and Art are on the second floor.” He told me. We walked down the halls as he pointed out each one of my classrooms, what subject they were and the kind of teacher we had. The tour was over and we had an hour left before we had to go to lunch so he took me to the cafeteria. We sat down at what he calls ‘ the best table of existence.’ because apparently it contains ‘ the best people of existence.’ “So what’s up Kell? How has life been for you?” He asked, making small conversation. We had a lot to catch up on.

“Everything’s been okay, you know my life has never been as interesting as yours.”I told him, which was true. Jesse always found a way to make any situation fun, he was a very exciting person.

“Not that I’m not excited and all because I am but why did you move over here?” I frowned when he asked.

“Uh my mom wanted a fresh start after my father passed.” I muttered. His smile faltered. Jesse loved my father, vice versa.

“What? Oh Kells, I’m so sorry. I had no clue, how did he you know? If you don’t mind me asking?” He asked, I shrugged.

“He was murdered, apparently it was an ‘accident’ but I know that’s complete bullshit.” I tell him, air quoting the word accident. He looked up at me and offered a small smile.

“Hey it’s okay, don’t worry about it. Things will be okay, he’s in a better place now okay?” Jesse told me before the bell filled the cafeteria. “Now to meet the boys.” I smiled, hoping they would like me. Students piled into the cafeteria, girls running up to their friends as if they didn’t see them in class, everyone else just finding their seats before getting up to go get food.

“Yo Jesse!” I heard a voice call from behind me. Several guys sat themselves at the table along with Jesse and I, and all eyes were on me. “Uh Jesse, care to introduce us to your new friend?” One of them spoke up. He had brownish/dirty blonde hair and was about my height.

“Relax Justin, I was getting there.” He told him. “Alright guys, this is Kellin. My best friend since 3rd grade, he just moved here. Kellin that’s Justin, Gabe, Jack, Jaime, Tony, Hayley, Tay and the lovebirds Austin and Alan.” He said pointing to everyone at table. “Where’s Mike?” Jesse asked, in which he only received a few shrugs. I waved to everyone before they all started to ask me questions.

“Where are you from? Why’d you move? How old are you? You’re cute, are you single?” All these questions flew out all at once and I couldn’t help but laugh. I answered each question, ignoring the pouty look Hayley gave me when I told her I was gay. No one else seemed to have a problem with it, which made me feel even more comfortable around these people. We talked the majority of lunch after we got our food, which wasn’t bad like I expected. I found out that everyone had good taste in music and were similar to me, I guess I could really get used to it around here. When lunch was over, we all headed to music which surprisingly we all had. The rest of the day went by quicker than I thought, and before I knew it Kailey, Tay, Tay’s brother and I were walking home together. It turns out Tay lived on my block in one of the houses, her parents don’t let her leave that much which is why she didn’t come introduce herself on Saturday. We got to know each other a little better, while Kailey and Tay’s brother talked about something that happened in class. We stopped in front of my house and said by to our friends before walking in.

“Mom?” I called out. No response. She must be out still. “Alright Kay, Mom’s not going to be home for awhile, you hungry?” I ask her, to which she nods. “Alright, go into my room and start your homework and I’ll be up in a few.” I told her before I was left with her faded footsteps from behind me. I ordered a small pizza and waited for it to arrive. I ran upstairs into my room and sat on the beanbag in the corner of my room. Kailey sat at my desk writing something in her notebook. “What you writing there?” I sneak up behind her.

“I have to write an essay about someone who inspires me the most.” She told me.

“So who are you writing about?” I ask her. She was probably writing her love for Gerard Way.

“You.” She muttered. The sound of the doorbell interrupted the words that were about to come out of my mouth. I placed a kiss on her forehead before heading out of my room and downstairs. Giving the pizza guy the twenty my mom had left on the counter, I took the box from his hand along with my change and headed towards the living room.

“Food’s here!” I yelled to her. In just a mere second she was beside me, watching Adventure Time and shoving the slice in her mouth. In the middle of the episode, I recieved a text from my mom telling me that she’s with the neighbors and won’t be home till later on. I responded to her back telling her that we had already ate. After eating, we finished our homework and headed off to bed. Getting ready to daze off, my door opens causing my eyes to flutter open as well.

“Sorry baby, I didn’t mean to wake you. I’m home obviously, thank you for taking care of your sister today.” She whispered to me.

“It wasn’t a bother mom, seriously. How were the neighbors?” I asked, wondering if it was Tay’s parent’s she met.

“We’ll talk tomorrow, get some rest. Goodnight Kellin.” She said before walking out of my room. I fell back onto my pillow and closed my eyes. Today wasn’t that bad, I made more than one friend, I actually feel happy. Maybe moving wasn’t as bad as I made it out to be.