1.0 New friends and new beginnings

 

Riverview. A new beginning, a new life.
I had just turned 15. My moms present for me was a beating. Not that it was new. I got beaten quite often, because I had a big mouth and had a hard time shutting up. I guess you could call me rebellious. Ever since my dad had left, she had turned to us children, mostly me, and done exactly the same as he did to her. It was mostly because of her drinking. She drank heavily every day. Mostly red wine. Not that we could actually afford it. I had found out that we had missed the last couple of months rent. The final straw was my birthday. My brothers all saw it, but they did nothing. They didn't want to be next.
That is when i decided to run away. In the middle of the night, i had packed my sleeping bag, a bag of clothes and got on the first train i saw. I ended up in Riverview. Considering i came from Midnight Hollow, Riverview seemed like a very sunny and happy place. The perfect place to start a new life.

I didn't know where to go. I figured i would have to sleep at some park for a time being. Though i did know i needed money of some sort. So the first thing i did was enrolling into school. If i was gonna get a job i should have some education.

The second thing on my list was getting a part time job at the grocery store.

I couldn't wait to get started. I felt all grown up, all on my own. This was very exciting!
When i left the grocery store, i stood for a while looking at the sky. It was all blue. So different from what i was used to. Here it was light and nice. I was gonna be a real smalltown girl. Yay! This is what i had always dreamed of.
Suddenly i felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Excuse me," some lady said. I turned around to find a middle aged woman looking at me.
"Yes?" i said nervously. Did she know i had run away from home? I new there was a possibility that my mom had notified the police. What if i was on the news as a runaway? What if i got recognized and sent back home?

"I couldn't notice how you were looking around at the town. Are you new here?"
"Well, Ye-yes i am," i stammered.
"Well, how about that. We haven't had newcomers in a long time." she said happily. "If you need anything, let me know. My name is Hannah Jones. Here is my business card. I am in the journalism business. I know how it is to be an outsider. I moved here two years ago with my ex-husband and our two year old son. It can be horrible not knowing anyone. Again, please let me know if you need anything." She seemed nice, almost too nice.
"I don't know what to say Mrs. Jones. Thank you very much, but i don't actually own a phone." i said, quite embarressed to admitting that i was completely broke. That wasn't how i was planning on introducing myself to the new people.
"Well, we've got to do something about that, haven't we. Have your parents gotten a job here yet? Maybe i can help them out with something." Oh no, what should i say? I had to lie. I couldn't let her know the truth.
"Actually-" I had to figure something out fast. "-ehm actually, ehm, my parents send me to the boarding school up the hill. I live there, though i go to school here down town. So they aren't around." I was so nervous she was going to figure out i was lying, but how could she? I was dreadding her answer.
"Oh, i see. Well, i know this might sound strange, considering i'm a stranger, but i wan't to buy you a phone. We can't have a sweet young girl as yourself walking around without any means of contacting other people. What if you had to call 911? No no, we can't have that. Come with me, i'll buy you a phone." She smiled exitedly to me.
"oh wow, i mean, i can't possibly accept that ma'am. How could i repay you?"
"Oh don't be silly, my dear. Consider it a favor. You can repay me by being happy and healthy."
And with that we went to the phone store just around the corner of my new job.

"Thank you so much Mrs. Jones." I said as we were sitting in her car. She had insisted on driving me back to my so-called home at the Boarding School. I insisted she didn't need to walk me in. As soon as she had left, i hurried to the bus stop, taking the first bus back down town, hoping she wouldn't see me.
I had saved some money up for some time, so i could survive for a while when i finally left home. I didn't know how to get something to eat for free, so i went to a restaurant where they were serving dinner for free for an hour. It was a bustling night. I had dressed in the finest clothes i owned, as i walked up to the doors. After I had eaten a quite nice portion of veil with potatoes and a fine wine sauce, which i had no idea what was in it, i went outside to enjoy the nice summernight air.
I was looking at the starlight sky, when out of the corner of my eye i spotted the most beautiful boy i had ever layed eyes on. I was always nervous around boys, but this time it was worse. I wanted to say hi, but i felt i would pee my pants if i did.
Though, i did need some friends if i was going to keep my sanity, so i sucked it up and went for it.
"Ahem. Hi," i said, tapping him on the shoulder. Om my gosh, he was even more adorable and beautiful up close!

 "Hi," he said, smiling at me. "Can i help you?" He seemed nice, so what was the harm.
"Ehm no, i just... Ehm, i'm new in town, and i kind of don't really know anybody yet. You look like you might be at my age, so i thought i would say hi." Oh my, i really sounded rediculous.
"Oh, that's fine" he said. "I'm Maximus McDermott. And, you are?"
"Oh, im Alyca Holmberg. I just moved here from Midnight Hollow."
"Wow isn't that the gloomy town to the east?"
"Yeah it is, have you been there?"
"No, but i heard about it on the news tonight. It said some lady had murdered her two sons and their dog, and then comitted suicide herself. Apparently she was jobless and a drunk who couldn't pay her bills. Are you okay? You seem pale."
I was in chock. Could it be? How could it be anybody else? My brothers. Oh no! What had i done? I felt like i was going to faint.
"Maybe you should sit down." He gently helped me down on a bench and i put my head between my legs. "I get it. It must be hard to hear something like that from your hometown. Do you know who it is?"
What was i going to say?  I had to lie, yet again. "No,.. i didn't know them. It's just, hard for me to hear things like that. I guess i'm just a lost but sensitive soul." I said, trying to smile. Apparently it worked. He smiled back at me, a little sad though.
I'm sorry but i have to go. Curfew and all, but we can talk tomorrow at school. What do you say? You can tell me more about that gentle soul of yours." He sent me a boyish smile and a wink. Was he flirting with me? I used to be a real flirt as well, but that was in my old life. I didn't feel like bringing that up again anytime soon. Maybe you couldn't choose your own fate though. He seemed nice and caring. I might as well accept his help and douse myself with his charm.
I couldn't wait until tomorrow.