The Goosebumps School

Chapter #1 A New Home

"Here we are!" My mom said gleefully as our blue Ford Escape pulled into the driveway of our new home.

I pulled my hair behind my ear and looked out of my window. The house looked.....used. But whether I liked it or not, this was our home now.

My name is Katie Pacosky. I'm 17 years old. I have long light brown curly hair with blond highlights and blue eyes. My family just moved to the town of Dark Falls. We moved because of a job offering my dad had gotten in this town. It was good because this job was offering a lot more money, which we kind of needed.

That didn't mean that I was ecstatic about the move though....I had just lost all of my friends from back home. Not that we couldn't talk over text or social media or anything, but I would miss the genuine face to face connection with them.

"Well what's everybody think? She's a real fixer upper huh?" My dad smiled.

"Yeah dad.....you said it." I replied half-heartedly.

"Hey come on now. Cheer up, you're going to love it here. Just wait till you see the inside of the house." Dad consoled.

I didn't say anything back, I just sighed and took a box from the car into the house. My 22 year old brother Josh followed me inside with his own box.

Upon entering the house there was a musty smell wafting around the inside. Probably because it was old. The style of the house looked old as well, kind of vintage. I gave myself a small tour, learning where the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms were.

Shortly after, the movers arrived with our furniture. I picked myself out a room and helped the movers decorate it. I also aided mom downstairs in the living room with where everything should go. She normally came to me for advice like that.

When the movers left I went back upstairs to go see how Josh was getting along in his room. He was sitting on his bed, texting his friend Mike.

"Hi Kate." He greeted.

"Hi Josh." I replied.

"Everything set up downstairs?" He asked.

"Yup. Everything's in its place." I answered.

"Sweet." Josh said.

"So what do you think so far? About the house, the town, the move?" I questioned.

"I'll admit, it's going to take some getting used to. But I think we'll be ok. This place doesn't seem too bad. What about you?" Josh sighed.

"I don't know yet. I'll let you know my answer after my first day of school tomorrow." I spoke.

"Yeah that's usually a big deciding factor." Josh agreed.

"I just want to be able to make some friends." I said.

"Well that's never been a problem for you before. I'm sure you'll make lots of new friends." Josh assured.

"...Thanks Josh." I smiled.

I left Josh's room and went downstairs where mom and dad were talking to the real estate salesman. Mr. Jaws or Dawes or something like that. I told mom and dad that I was going for a walk to check out the neighborhood.

Walking down the street I took into account how all of the houses looked kind of old. Must just be an old town. I passed the school on my walk. Thoughts of how tomorrow could go flocked into my mind. How do the people in this town dress and act? Was I going to stand out?

Normally I don't really care what people think of me, but I also liked to make a good first impression.

I continued my walk when I got a text. It was from my best friend Kayla.