1 Chapter One

I run. I run until my lungs are on fire and my legs begin to shake. When I'm sure I'm about to collapse, I still run. And it's an amazing feeling. Nothing can catch me.

I pass the dark, silent houses on my street and smile at the familiarity. I've known this street all seventeen years of my life and it has never changed. The fact that it probably never would made me feel safe, secure, and stable even. I wasn't a fan of change. Like my grandma used to say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

My driveway appears in front of me and I finish the last few steps to the front door. I quietly make my way inside and tiptoe my way to the kitchen. My Dad doesn't really do mornings.

I set the coffee pot and make my way to the bathroom for a shower. Today is to be my last first day of high school. The start of my senior year. My Dad says senior year is supposed to be special, magical even. "A rite of passage." I shake my head at the thought. Good riddance to all of it. I saw what those special moments did to him and I wanted no part of it.

I turned the water on the maximum heat and didn't even flinch when I stepped in. The hot water relaxing my tense muscles was all of the magic I needed. Showers really were magical if you thought about it. Washing away the dirt and grime of a long hard day. Taking your tears down into the dark drain along with all of its excess water.

I pulled on a pair of jeans and my favorite "Bring Back Pluto" tee shirt and made my way back to the miracle that is coffee. I could smell the heavenly scent from here. But... there was another scent along with it...was that bacon?

"Riley, come get your breakfast while it's hot!" What in the world? I rush into the kitchen like it's on fire, even expecting it to be. Since when does my dad cook?

"Dad, what's going on? Why are you cooking? Do you cook? Have I ever seen you cook? Why are you smiling? This early? I'm a bit-" He puts his hand over my mouth and guides me to the nearest chair by the table.

"We're moving. Today." I practically fall into the chair. No way. I must have misunderstood.

I just stare up at him, eyes wide. I finally form a somewhat coherent sentence. "Say what, now?" My dad chuckles.

"You heard me, kid. It's going to be the adventure of a lifetime. A new chapter for the both of us- heck, it'll probably be a new book!"

I pinch my arm. "Ow, that really hurt!" Dad chuckles and shakes his head. "You've got to learn to embrace change because it's always coming for you whether you're prepared or not."

I scoff. This coming from the man who refuses to get rid of his VHS player. I had to sneak a DVD player with saved birthday money when I was eleven.

When I still don't say anything my dad sighs and says something about a phone call and leaves the room. It isn't that I'm totally against moving, it's just odd that my dad wants to. He loves this house, this town- everything stays the same here- just how he likes it. While he can write some killer suspense novels- he's far from the characters in his book. I wonder if this is the start of his midlife crisis.

I jump up at the smell of burning and rush to the stove. I yank the burning pan of bacon off the stove and chunk it into the sink. This is a prime example of why dad never cooks.

"What in the- oh. Oh, my bad. Diner it is I guess?" I can't help but shake my head and smile at the same time. "Yeah, dad. The diner sounds good." He smiles apologetically.

"I tried, kiddo. How about actually brushing your hair before we leave, yeah? Just try and not look neglected for our last day here?" I start to feel offended when he gives me a kiss on the top of my head and pushes me towards the stairs. I guess I can just let it slide this time.

I reach my bedroom and hold back the tears. Seventeen years of my life behind these walls. I look at the polaroids of my friends and I doing various things. I look at my track trophies. I just sigh and grab my brush. Maybe there's still time to bring back his sanity. I don't want to leave.

I sit in front of the vanity that used to belong to my mom. It's the only thing I have of hers. There are no pictures, no old clothes, not even a name. I just know she left. I run my hand over the worn wood with the peeling white paint. It doesn't look like much but to me it symbolizes hope.

Dad knocks on my door as soon as I finish getting the knots out of my hair. "You ready? I'm starving." I look around my room one more time before following him outside to the car.

I shake my head at my dad's old beater. He can definitely afford a new one but just will not budge. How can a man that refuses to give up a twenty year old rust bucket preach to me about change? I start getting angry. The shock is wearing off and my emotions are finally coming to me. I get in the car.

"Dad, this is crazy. I don't want to move. It's my SENIOR YEAR. I want to graduate with the people I grew up with." I watch his normally gentle face harden a bit and it shocks me. He's always so laid back and calm. "Buckle your seatbelt, Riley. Not another word until we get to the diner."