NEW TOWN NEW RULES
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Sienna Blake stared out of the car window as the WELCOME TO RIVENCREST flash pass, she had mastered the art of pretending to be fine, even though she didn't want to leave her life back at her old town.
As the youngest professional lawyer in her
law firm, Mrs Blake had worked tirelessly to climb the corporate ladder. So when the firm offered her a major position in Ravencrest, she hadn't hesitated to uproot their entire lives for it.
And her dad being the supportive husband
transferred to Ravencrest as a professor. Ava bubbling and excited voice rang out humming a rhyme. At least someone is happy about the change she thought
The town was picture-perfect, the kind of place with tree-lined streets, oversized houses, and luxury cars parked in every driveway. It looked like something out of a movie—one where she didn't belong.
"Wow! Look at that park!" Ava squealed from the backseat, pressing her tiny hands against the glass.
Sienna's five-year-old sister had been excited for the move ever since their parents announced it. Sienna, on the other hand, had spent the past month dreading it. Senior year was supposed to be about enjoying the last bit of high school with friends—not starting over in a town full of strangers.
"Ravencrest is a good place, Sienna," her dad said from the driver's seat, as if sensing her reluctance. "New start, new opportunities..
Sienna swallowed and looked away. She didn't want to talk about it. She just wanted to be okay.
———
As their car rolled into their new neighborhood, Sienna's eyebrows lifted slightly. The houses weren't just big—they were huge. Some had fountains in the front yard, others had balconies with sweeping views of the tree-covered hills. Their own house was impressive too—two stories, wraparound porch, freshly painted white walls with navy-blue shutters. Definitely a step up from their old place.
The maze of boxes filled up the living room, Sienna choose the room at the second floor overlooking the streets.. It was spacious, with pale gray walls and a giant bay window—perfect for reading. She spent hours putting up her bookshelves, hanging fairy lights, and organizing her desk just how she liked it.
She placed Her collection of highlighters. The soft blanket she had since childhood and framed photo of her old friends on the nightstand, even though looking at it made her chest ache.
The house itself was huge. Too huge.
It had five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a kitchen so modern that Sienna was afraid to touch anything. The walls were freshly painted, the furniture delivered in perfect condition, and yet… it didn't feel like home.
The rest of the weekend was a blur of unpacking boxes, rearranging furniture, and trying to make the new house feel like home.
"Sienna come down for dinner, mum ordered your favorite" dad shouted " hurry up or your sister with eat them up"
She groaned too tired to move but had no choice, Ava the little foodie could be mean at times when it comes to food not even sparing a bit for her. After dinner, mum stood sternly on the porch receiving insistent phone calls, her job had spared her little time to spend with the family always going on frequent trips or working till late hours of the day, even at home she was always busy.
Meanwhile dad took Ava to her room to rest, she could hear his gentle voice coaxing her to sleep. Smiling she made her way to her room to get some sleep, peeping through the door of Ava room, she laid on her pink bed with dad sitting by the side.
Ava had made a mess of her room building princess castle all day and now so tired and has fallen asleep. The weekend has being stressful for Sienna with all the arrangements and now tomorrow she will start a new phase of life in Ravencrest Academy, successfully complete her high school with good grade, graduate and get accepted to her dream college.
She spent and hour on her desk reading and going through her new textbooks, looking at the wall clock the time was past nine, closing the books she laid on the soft bed starring at the polished wooden floors—felt too perfect. Too new.
She had only been here for a few hours, and yet she already missed the creaky floors of their old house, the messy bookshelves, the familiarity, closing her eyes Sienne signed
New school. New people. New everything.
She groaned and pulled the covers over h
er head. Tomorrow was going to be a disaste.