The Alignment by Kristin Andrecheck (little red riding hood read aloud TXT) 📕

to leave for the airport. I sent Rose a text message saying I’m sorry for everything. She won’t respond. I get one last glance at the house. I go up to my room and sit in the middle of the floor. I get my pillow for the ride to the Airport. I close my eyes for a minute and remember all the good times I had in this house. Rose coming over, gossip, parties, dance parties. Then Justin coming over, not knowing that Justin liked me, study ‘dates’, and fun. Wow, I am really going to miss New York. I open my eyes and get up. I walk downstairs looking around. It feels like this house is an old friend. Like we had a couple downs, but they just come back to good again. It’s like leaving a very homely friend. Like Rose… I can’t think about her right now, I want to think about Cali. I get in the car and I take a nap. 
When I wake up Mom says, “We are very close to the airport. If you look, you can see a lot of planes.”
I look and I see the RyanAir plane. It’s huge. To tell you the truth, I have never been on a plane. I’m kind of excited! I can’t wait! 
-———————————-
 When we arrive, I put my suitcase on the spinny thing. This airport is so crowded. Must be ‘Get out of New York’ day. My mom and I get to the airport lady. (As you can see, I don’t know much about airports.) 
Mom hands her the tickets and the lady says “Have a nice AirRide day!” 
She has that fake smile. I’m guessing AirRide is the airport. I get on the plane and we are ready to go. We are riding in Coach. It’s way better than low class, I guess. I wonder what the High class is? Anyways, my mom orders vegetables, she’s trying to be on a diet. I order a cookie and a Mountain Fizz. I get the window seat, yay! We hear the ‘Fasten Your Seat-belts’ voice and hear the engines take off. I am exhilarated. It’s a weird feeling. It seems like were going three miles per hour. As soon as we take off my ears pop. I hate when that happens. I finally try the cookie. It’s disgusting. I swear I saw hair on it. Gross! I’m afraid what Mom will think when she tastes the veggies. I look out my window and all I can see is clouds. I am so tired, I am gonna take a power nap.
----------------------------------------
Oh my gosh! We’re here! I look at mom and she is still sleeping. I shake her and she finally wakes up.
“Mom, we’re here!” I say, excitedly.
“Okay, I was meaning to ask you this, but I had a senior moment. LOL! But,where do you want to go first?” She asks, trying to make up for her senior moment.
“Hollywood, all the way!”I say, electrified.
“Alright-y Aphrodite,”Mom says.
I get my luggage and mom’s from over top of my head. I then wait for mom to get out of her seat so I can get out. I’m so adrenalized! I definitely want to go to the beach later and maybe get my mind off Justin. I’m so mad about him, I can’t even think straight. 
I ask mom if maybe we can eat first. I’m starved! Mom and I go into the airport to grab our bigger luggage. Our other stuff, like couches and junk, is getting sold because all the...wait. Since dad bought the house by the shore, where are we going to live?
I ask mom “Mom? Where are we going to stay, you know, since dad bought the other place?”
“Well, I bought a place on my own on tuesday. I know how you wanted to try to become famous and all so it’s here in Hollywood! I hope that’s okay,” Mom says.
I pause for like 20 seconds, holding up the luggage line behind me.
I scream “NO WAY!!!”
Mom thought it was a bad thing, I just see the look on her face.
She then starts apologizing “Honey, I already bought the place. If I thought you didn’t like it...”
“Like it?” I ask, trying to play the ‘I hate what you done’ game.
We both start walking towards the door, then we go to the bus stop.
“Well, I thought you would be happy. You know, you would see your favorite stars and such.”
I look at her with cunning eyes and I hug her.
“Mom, I was only kidding. I’m so happy right now!! I can’t believe it! My dreams are finally coming true!”
“Oh. Okay, so where do you want to eat,” She asks.
“Well, by the beach. I”m kind of in the mood for sea food,” I say.
“Honey, I can’t afford seafood right now. I just spent $1,600 on our air fare. Um, how about McGreen’s. They have the best fast food,” Mom says, trying not to hurt my feelings.
She has never said no to me, about anything for that matter. So I’m kind of stunned. But, I don’t care. After all she’s done for me, I should be at her feet, worshipping her.
“Oh, that’s okay. I still love you,” I say.
So, the bus finally comes and we don’t say a word. We are both just looking at the sights in California. It’s so beautiful, and it’s really hot. We finally arrive at our stop, right next to McGreens. We walk in and everyone just looks at us. I feel like a tourist. Anyways, it’s packed and we just wait, talking occasionally. 10 minutes go bye and we’re finally up. I order fries, a burger, a Diet Up and an apple pie. Mom gets the salad, small fries, and a Diet Fizz. We wait yet another 10 minutes and eat outside on the lawn. Wow, California is beautiful. But, I miss Rose too much. We eat for about 20 minutes and throw the garbage away. We go the bus stop yet again and wait for it. We see the bus, and we start to get on.
The bus driver stops us and says “Sorry, all buses are full today.”
He gestures us to get off, closes the door and drives away.
“Wow, really nice, jerk!” Mom shouts.
I laugh to myself quietly.
“So, are you ready to walk 3 miles,” Mom asks, angry like.
“3 miles! Wow, people are jerks around here!” I am really mad but then I say, “At least we can walk and see things. You know, like a..uh...homemade tour,” I say, thinking on the spot.
“I guess, it’s our only choice. But, today has been long enough, let’s go home. I know you don’t want to, but it would be nice. I’m tired,” She explains.
“Ugh, okay,” I sigh.
“But, hey. Our stuff is there. You remember Jim, with the plane? He dropped our things off and hopefully they are there. We just have to work a little. Okay?” Mom asks.
“Yep. Is the house two story?” I inquire.
“No, it’s an apartment, for now. As soon as I find a job, and get a little more cash, we will buy a better house. But, for now, money isn’t coming so fast. My last check should come in by Friday. So let’s see, 1...2...3 more days. Then we can shop. And we have all summer to chill. So, hopefully we can go school shopping sooner,” Mom described.
“Oh, and about school. Where am I gonna go?”
“Cali High. It’s gonna be great, and you only live a block away, so you don’t have to ride the bus. It’s gonna be great,” Mom repeated.
“Awesome!” I say.
We start walking. I see plenty of guys walk down the street. Even though I’m 14 and young, I can still flirt. I just stare, no harm done, right? I see mom looking, too. EW! Old people shouldn’t stare at younger guys, it’s just gross! An hour goes by and we’re at the house. Can’t wait to see my new room, and life.

Chapter 8

I walk in the apartment and I’m shocked. I didn’t know apartments looked so great! I take a look around. First, I see all the furniture in the place. The apartment is like a coca-brown shade, and so is our furniture. It’s a perfect match! I then walk into the kitchen. The kitchen has a small, square, chestnut table with three chairs. The cabinets are the same color, and they are huge. The sink is like a brown, maroon color, and it’s porcelain. The kitchen is stunning. I then walk down the hall into the bathroom. It’s basically like any bathroom, but smaller. It’s white, and has enough room to fit a person, a toilet, and a bathtub. I walk across the hall into my mom’s room. It’s really big. It has a lavender carpet, a king size bed, and two huge dressers with a flat screen tv on one of the dressers. I then walk in through her room and take a left. I look around and it’s a blank room. There’s only a lavender carpet and walls. It’s pretty big I guess. I then run into the kitchen and look for mom.
“Mom!” I shout.
“What baby?” Mom replies.
“Where’s all my stuff?”
“That’s why I said we would have to work. We have to go to the garage where your things are kept. Hopefully the car is here, because I am NOT walking 15 miles to get your bed!”
I say “Okay, I’ll go check, jeese!”
I walk towards the door and go outside into the garage. I do see a car, it looks like dad’s! I run back into the house and I see dad talking to mom. I just pause. Mom and dad look back at me. I run into the bathroom and slam the door.
“I’m sorry for what I have done. I see you’re in California, she decided yes?” Dad asks.
“Yes, she wanted to fulfill her dream of being a star, make new friends, and start a new life. I’m also working on that,” Mom says.
“Of becoming a star?”
“No, starting a new life, without you.”
I gasp. I love dad, I don’t want him to leave. And I doubt mom will let him have some custody of me.
“What!” Dad screams.
“I don’t love you anymore. I’ve been feeling this ever since...” Mom hesitated.
I open the door