A few moments later, Tobias climbs into the driver’s seat. The privacy glass is up, so I guess even if I did want to ask questions, he isn’t the guy to be asking. Instead, I sit back and buckle up as he starts the engine.
I check my mom’s messages again for the address she gave me earlier. I didn’t really pay much attention to it, considering the whole marriage bomb.
My eyes go wide when I notice where I’m going to be living for the foreseeable future. I sayforeseeablebecause, well, anyone putting up with my mom for long doesn’t seem like much of a probability.
At least I can technically move out now if she gets to be too much once this one dumps her. Because he will.
Serenity Falls.
FuckingSerenity Falls.
Where the assholes who are too rich for the city go…
Gross.
I should’ve known when she mentioned Saints U, but still…
I take in the cuffs of my faded hoodie that has holes where my thumbs are looped through and think about everything packed in my luggage, including my ratty converse that are my second favorite shoes and the array of thrift store gems I’ve acquired over the years.
Oh yeah, I’m totally going to fit in in fucking Serenity Falls.
Thanks, Mom.
Groaning, I lean back against the seat and watch the city pass us by. I love the hustle and bustle; the fact that no one knows your name, and no one gives a fuck. Everyone’s too busy going about their lives, dealing with their own shit, to try and stick their nose in yours. The anonymity of living in the city is one of my favorite things about it.
That and being in the heart of somewhere with so much culture.
Serenity Falls is going to fucking suck. It might be less than an hour from downtown, but fuck my life. That means the few friends I had are all going to be an hour away. All of my favorite bookstores, coffeehouses, everything.
I repeat. Serenity Falls is going to fucking suck.
I don’t even have a car. I’ve never needed one before. The joys of the subway.
The city gives way to greenery and my heart sinks a little. But I can survive this. If I can survive my dad leaving, and having to—at fifteen—pick my mom back up after he left, then I can survive dealing with the snobby assholes in Serenity Falls.
I hope.
I spend most of the drive reading on my phone. It’s a shitty one, but it still runs my reading app, so I’m not complaining. It’s a way to escape reality, and I am all about it. I look up and see a ‘Welcome to Serenity Falls’ sign. Jesus fucking Christ, even the sign looks pretentious.
The mechanical whir of the privacy screen grabs my attention as Tobias clears his throat. “We’re nearly at the house, Miss Moore. Do you need anything picked up before we arrive?”
Pulling at the loose thread on the cuff of my hoodie, I shake my head. “No, I don’t think so. Thank you.”
“Okay, well I know the kitchen is fully stocked, so if you want to eat, there should be something for you. If not, then one of the staff can always run out and get what you need. Or you can take one of the cars in the garage if you’d rather. I know that Mr. Kensington has added you to his insurance plan, and Master Kensington isn’t at the residence until tomorrow, so you won’t be able to take his car mistakenly.”
“Master Kensington?” I ask, more than a little confused.
I catch the surprise on his face in the rearview mirror and heat splashes across my cheeks as he gets a little insight into just how much my mom doesn’t think of me. “Yes, Miss Moore. Mr. Kensington’s son from his previous marriage. I believe he’s a year older than you. He’s been on vacation with his friends for most of the summer, but I’m sure you’ll see him before you start school next week.”
So I have a new brother too. This day just keeps getting better and better.
“Okay, thank you, Tobias.”
“Not a problem, Miss Moore.”
I groan a little. “Please just call me Briar.”
“As you wish, Miss… sorry, Briar.” He smiles warmly at me and I return it.