1 Prologue

The cold air of the first morning of summer awakened my profound sleep. I slowly opened my eyes, and the reality of the new season suddenly devoured my delusion.

It's now summer, get up! My inner tumult insisted.

I lazily stretched my arms and stared at my ceiling for a while, wondering if everything is real. I stood up.

I never expected that I will woke up this early because basically, I don't have any plans for summer. I just want to watch anime or sleep all day rather than doing something that can make my life stressed out. But the main reason is, last summer's memories keep haunting me.

My eyes wandered around my room. Rhaegal is sleeping on his soft bed, crumpled papers are on my desk, and the canvas beside my bed was empty.

I had nothing to paint last night because I'm out of ideas. Well... uhm, okay. That's a lie.

I have so many ideas that I don't even know what to paint now. It's complex. The paints and brushes are scattered on the floor, just how scattered my thoughts are. From the threshold, painting is just the result of my insufferable boredom. Though, this might get me into trouble.

I'm Azalea Niamh McCoy, a struggling and frustrated psychology student from Finian city. I am an average girl with an average life.

My parents got divorced last summer. While mom has me, Dad also took my little brother - Zac, to his hometown. I've been there too when I was young and I can say that it's one of the best places I have gone so far so I bet my brother already feels comfortable at our grandparent's home. Yet, we're still in touch on the social media. We even hang out every christmas break depending on mom and dad's decision where Zac and I will have a vacation with.

Zac is unaware about our parent's behind story of the divorce since he was an innocent boy last summer - he's six years younger than me. But with my point of view, shades of regret and guilt are still attacking me because I let that tragic day pass like it's nothing. I may not be knowledgable enough about the deeper context of life but I knew that they were not doing well as husband and wife. Fulfilling their responsibility as a parent was congruously okay but their relationship was tragically, a failure. It's just a petty fight, I proclaimed to myself when I was a kid. But no, it turned out to be an insuperable commotion.

Going on with the present. Since I told my friends the last time I saw them that I will start jogging at the Kelsey park, I ought to do it. At least, I need to be productive.

I opened my window curtains to let the sun peek through my glass window. The cirrus clouds above made the cerulean sky more aesthetically surreal. The horns of automobiles are distraction to our safe and tranquil haven but this flaw is undeniably inevitable.

"Good morning." I whispered softly and closed my eyes for a second. Then, I finally decided to go out my room without fixing my messy bed.

The first thing I saw is my mom. She's at the kitchen table while holding her most precious mug she bought at the antique shop last week.

"Good morning, darling. How's your sleep?" She asked while holding her mug like a diamond that might get stolen any second. Instead, I went to her and reach her florid cheeks for a morning kiss.

She loves collecting antique stuffs that's why our house looks like a haunted house from a horror movie because of the furnitures and designs she bought, but all in all, I'm used to the interior of our lovely home. Our house is located near the city but our village is quite remote. As I mentioned earlier, there are still noises from vehicles passing here but not that many, unlike in the city.

"Good morning, mom." I replied as I stole her toasted bread on her plate and ate it. There are food prepared on the table. Bacons, pouched eggs and mashed potatoes - my favourites.

"Are you going somewhere?" She eyed me.

"Yeah. I'll jog." I answered shortly and she checked her wristwatch. "With Claire." I added for assurance.

"Oh, Clairey? That's good." I told you. "It's still early. Eat your breakfast first."

"I'll eat after I jog."

"Oh, okay."

I hurriedly did my morning routine and changed with my terno hoodie brown jacket and leggings, with a match of my white sneakers. My mom is washing the dishes when I went outside the house.

I walked through the Point Five street, passing by the shops I always enter. There are still small businesses running here in Sorlandiz. My mom's even planning to have one. Even I, wanted to have a coffee shop nearby manage by me and Zac in the near future.

As I passed down at the Daisy's flower-shop, I automatically covered my nose with my hand towel. Aunt Gillie waved at me behind the big mirror of her shop.

"Hi!" She greeted.

"Hello, Mrs. Meyers! It's a lovely morning, isn't it?" I smiled.

"Yeah it is. Have a nice day, young lady!"

"Thank you! You, too." Then, I started walking again.

If I would have the opportunity to promote our town, I might say that there are two things that I love with Sorlandiz and it is the edge to the other towns - The peaceful haven and the friendly neighbors.

Claire and I texted last night to meet at the gate of Kelsey Park that's why I went there straight. It's still early but many people are jogging and bikers are cycling around the park.

Few minutes of waiting, I saw Claire half-running towards me, I stood up to meet her halfway.

"Hey!" She waved at me and as we are a meter apart, she stopped and took a deep breath.

Claire Gibson is my childhood best friend. She's also a psych student like me. We were once neighbours in Sorlandiz but when we graduated from grade school, they moved out to the main city. It might be because of their business. Her dad is a famous politician but there's still a time that they spend days or weeks here for a vacation just like this summer break.

Her long blonde hair's tied up as disheveled bun. Wearing a black racerback and a maroon cargo pants made her a total chic.

"Come on. What are you waiting for?" She said excitingly.